Amid the buzz and excitement leading into the Commonwealth Games and throughout the competition, Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) athletes never lost sight of what also matters – connecting with the Victorian community through school visits. Even while preparing to compete on the international stage, many athletes carved out time to visit primary and secondary schools across the state, sharing their stories and inspiring the next generation.
While many athletes were away representing Australia at the Commonwealth Games, those not competing at the Games continued to make a meaningful contribution to VIS community programs. One such athlete was Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist Caitlin Parker, who recently visited Rosebud Secondary College.
Parker, a boxer and one of the VIS’s athletes, brought her Olympic journey to life through an engaging presentation, sharing the ins and outs of her career, while giving students the rare opportunity to see her Olympic bronze medal up close. Staff at Rosebud Secondary College were quick to praise the impact Parker had on their students.
“Caitlin was fantastic. Her visual presentation was engaging, and the videos she showed at the beginning were a great way to capture the students’ attention.”
“Overall, Caitlin was incredibly engaging and approachable. She answered every student question with a smile and created a really positive atmosphere. Her story was remarkable, and I particularly enjoyed how she focused not just on her physical journey, but also on the mental resilience and strength it took to reach the Olympics.”
Such feedback highlights part of what makes the VIS community programs and school visits so valuable. Rather than simply parading an Olympic medal, Parker gave students an authentic insight into the dedication, perseverance and positive mindset that helped her achieve Olympic success. She shared how challenges can become opportunities for growth and reiterated the importance of looking after your mental and physical wellbeing.
Visits like Parkers are part of the VIS’s Be Fit. Be Well. program that connects VIS athletes with Victorian Government schools, including those in regional communities, to educate school-age children on the importance of staying healthy and active.
While the VIS is thrilled with the success of the program, it has become so popular that bookings were paused at the end of Term 2 after reaching capacity. The overwhelming demand from schools across Victoria, highlights the appetite for these inspiring experiences that ultimately encourage students to stay active, embrace physical exercise and develop healthy habits.
The VIS, it’s community programs and athletes all strive to demonstrate how sport can build confidence, resilience and a lifelong appreciation for wellbeing – lessons that extend far beyond the sporting arena.
Furthermore, while the Commonwealth Games captured the nation’s attention, they also served as a timely reminder that Victoria’s elite athletes are more than just medal contenders, they are role models who continue to give back to their community. Alongside Australia’s medal success on the world stage, it is moments like Caitlin Parker’s visit to Rosebud Secondary College, to a room full of students engaged and hanging on every word, that leave a lasting legacy long after the Games have finished.
