The Victorian Institute of Sport is the spearhead of high-performance sport in the state.
Something of a finishing school for the very best and diverse talents our sports-rich state produces.
122 VIS athletes were in Paris for the recent Olympic and Paralympic Games, 54 of them debutants who should be the cornerstone of future Olympic and Paralympic Games teams which will compete in Los Angeles in 2028 and in Brisbane in 2032.
Approximately 450 athletes trained out of the VIS in 2023/24 and the expertise guiding every one of them is renowned.
There is something more to the VIS story, though, and it might be best told through the remarkable VIS community program known as Be Fit. Be Well which celebrated its 30th anniversary earlier this year.
The cause of sport as inspiration, as a source of motivation to be active, as a portal to inclusion and social cohesion, may be served by wondrous Olympic and Paralympic feats but at a community and school level these outcomes have all been made real to hundreds of thousands of children by Be Fit. Be Well since 1994.
In fact, something like 300,000 children have experienced the Be Fit. Be Well program, brought to them by Olympians, Paralympians and world and national champions who visit schools all over the state.
Of late, the program, which is delivered through a partnership with School Sport Victoria, has seen the likes of dual Olympic bronze medallist, Jemima Montag, triple Olympic long jumper Brooke Buschkuehl and Paralympic triathlete Liam Twomey create for their audiences a connection between sport and good physical and mental health.
Danielle Cook, Head of Learning at Brunswick Secondary College, has built a regular place for Be Fit. Be Well into the school’s year.
“The Be Fit. Be Well program is really important to our school curriculum. It shows our students how they can overcome adversity, build resilience and keep the motivation up to engage in physical activity for the rest of their lives,” she says.
Buschkuehl was the beneficiary of a similar visit in her primary school years.
“We had an Olympic swimmer come out to my school. It was so inspiring, motivating and encouraging. I see so much value in being able to not only share my story but share the benefits of staying healthy and active from a young age,” she says.
Be Fit. Be Well is one of a suite of VIS Community Programs that have been designed for specific audiences that range from academic to early-school.
It was the first, however, and it has built a reputation that increases its popularity by the year. Generations of Victorians have experienced Be Fit. Be Well. Seemingly, generations to come will also hear the message.
