Through the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) community programs including the Be Fit. Be Well (BFBW) program, VIS athletes are travelling to Victorian government schools across the state, reaching its furthest edges to bring elite sport directly into regional and remote communities. Supporting and inspiring young students in regional areas to stay active and connected to sport.
VIS clay target shooter Nathan Argiro fits school visits into his schedule alongside training and competition commitments and recently visited Merbein P-10 College in his hometown of Mildura, with a visit to Mildura West Primary School scheduled next. Beyond Mildura, VIS athletes are also visiting Swan Hill and Kerang in the state’s north-west, as well as schools across south-east regional Victoria, with further locations still to be confirmed!
“Being part of the BFBW program has been an amazing experience,” said Argiro.
“Visiting country schools in towns I had previously only passed through on the way to competitions left me curious about the schools and the way of life there.
“Seeing the excitement of kids being amazed by my journey in clay target shooting, the study reports on my results, the parts of the world I’d travelled to, was outstanding. The genuine interest from students in such a niche sport was unexpected.
“My favourite part of the talks is seeing them believe in themselves, that if they want to be truly great at something, they can be.
“Being regional in this world isn’t a hindrance, it’s an advantage.”
Visits like these are central to the BFBW program. Regional students don’t always have the opportunity to meet elite athletes, and through the support of School Sport Victoria, the VIS is helping connect with young people in these communities. For some students, a visit like Nathan’s is the spark that starts their own pathway in sport, and perhaps, one day, finds them making their way to the VIS themselves.
