Victorian Institute of Sport athlete and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Melissa ‘Milly’ Tapper, headed to Kyneton to visit local schools and inspire the next generation of emerging regional Victorian athletes last week.
The table tennis star visited students at three schools in the Macedon Ranges region of Victoria and shared her story of resilience and overcoming adversity.
Tapper, a 2016 Rio Olympian and Paralympian, has pioneered the road for young table tennis athletes in Australia and students were jumping out of their seats to hear what it takes to succeed at the top level. Milly’s gold medal at the Commonwealth Games marked Australia’s first table tennis gold since the sport joined the Games in 2002.
In addition to her TT6-10 singles gold at Gold Coast 2018, she placed ninth in the Women’s Singles, fifth in Women’s Doubles and ninth in Mixed Doubles, while she finished fourth in the Teams Event.
In 2016, Tapper inserted herself into history when she was the first Australian to compete in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Internationally only a small group of athletes have managed that feat.
Originally from Hamilton in country Victoria, Tapper suffered a brachial plexus injury at birth which resulted in Erb’s Palsy, a paralysis of the arm caused by injury to the upper group of the arm’s main nerves.
Her results haven’t gone unnoticed and at the recent 2018 Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards, Tapper took home the award of ‘DeakinTALENT Female Sportsperson of the Year’.
A key to Tapper’s success has been finding the right balance in life between elite sport and other parts of her life. She has utilised her scholarship at the VIS to receive support in optimising her diet, strength and conditioning and mental preparation.
Tapper epitomises the VIS’ motto of ‘Success in Sport and Life’ having completed a degree in Exercise Science from the Australian Catholic University. She is very engaged in the VIS Community Projects and is especially passionate about helping youth at risk of disengaging from education.
At her regional tour, Tapper visit three schools – Kyneton Primary School, Langley Primary School and Our Lady of the Rosary Parish Primary School.
At Langley Primary School the news of Tapper’s visit was especially exciting as they have recently purchased new table tennis tables. The students have been practicing hard at developing their skills and received expert coaching from Tapper during the visit.
The visits to the two Government schools are free of charge and part of the VIS Community Program funded by School Sport Victoria.
VIS athletes consistently undertake around 200 school visits a year. In 2016 and 2017, 32% of school bookings were at regional schools. The program involves around 50 athletes and para-athletes each year and provides an extra mean of income, while also adding to the development of their personal skills.
The athletes’ messages to students emphasise the link between physical activity and wellness. Key topics include motivation, resilience, goal setting, coping with pressure and health/nutrition.
