Meet two Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) athletes whose impact isn’t only felt in the tally of Australia’s medals, but in the classrooms of Victorian schools and how they help shape and inspire the next generation.
With the 2026 Commonwealth Games starting tomorrow, Team Australia of 256 athletes are preparing for the first days of competition. Among the travelling contingent are two VIS athletes whose connection to the people of Victoria goes beyond the sporting field.
Paralympic swimmer Col Pearse and Judo champion Tinka Easton are decorated athletes whose contributions to the Australian medal tally include Pearse’s Paralympic bronze from Tokyo 2020, Paralympic silver from Paris 2024 and Commonwealth Games gold from Birmingham 2022, with Easton also claiming Commonwealth Games gold in Birmingham that same year.
But beyond their medals, Pearse and Easton also play a key role in shaping the next generation’s sporting future, through the VIS Community Programs and, more recently, the Be Fit. Be Well partnership with School Sport Victoria.
Be Fit. Be Well is an initiative that enables VIS athletes to connect with Victorian Government schools for free, thanks to School Sport Victoria. The partnership now includes access to the Commonwealth Games Digital Package, where Pearse and Easton take centre stage as they share their stories and experiences and moments to watch out for while they are competing at the games.
“I love that every fight is different. It’s not just about what you do, but about what your opponent does and how you react to it,” Tinka Easton says of the joy of competing in judo, a sport she took up at age 10 on the south coast of New South Wales. She now heads to Glasgow as the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, defending the title she won in Birmingham in 2022.
Where Easton’s sporting story began on the mat, Col Pearse’s began elsewhere. Hailing from Echuca in regional Victoria, and with his right foot amputated at the age of two due to a lawn mower accident, Pearse has always been a keen sportsman, one who pursued swimming all the way to his Paralympic debut at Tokyo 2020.
Their stories of dedication, perseverance and triumph are accompanied by a range of interactive activities within the digital package, helping Victoria’s school-age cohorts learn more about the Commonwealth Games.
The digital package, the programs and the athletes themselves serve not only as an informative resource but also impart a valuable lesson: making an impact doesn’t have to mean winning medals or championships. Giving back to the community and inspiring others to be active is what truly makes a difference.
