Athletes Ready To Inspire Students

NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holders are ready to inspire and motivate high school students after participating in the Olympics Unleashed training program.

More than ten Olympians and Olympic hopefuls learned the skills of effective communication so as to craft a story about their journey in sport and encourage high school students to be their best self.

“How can we get the students in the room to think and act differently,” Olympics Unleashed communications consultant Catriona Dixon said.

“We want kids to believe in their own dreams, to be their best self.”

The Olympics Unleashed program message centres around resilience and goal setting as well as ‘unleashing passion and potential’ in any endeavour a student undertakes – whether that be sport, academics, or cultural arts.

Since returning from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, 400m hurdler Sarah Carli has enjoyed visiting schools and sharing her story in athletics.

The Wollongong local participated in the program and had two take aways from the session which will serve her well not only for when presenting to students but also in every day life.

“The way you stand in front of an audience is important,” Sarah said.

“I have a tendency for putting my weight on one leg and crossing my arms, something that you shouldn’t be doing.

“And not saying ‘um’. I’m someone that says ‘um’ all the time, I’m pretty sure I said it then, so getting used to breathing instead of saying um is what I need to focus on.”

The training program encouraged the athletes to develop their story and highlight details which would culminate in a key moment.

“I had a really bad accident in the gym which resulted in me having surgery and then getting back from that in time to compete at Tokyo is a key moment I would share.”

The training program also emphasised the school presentations were not about the athlete but about the students and encouraging them to be their best self.

“Kids are so impressionable,” Sarah said.

“I remember being in the school hall and having athletes speak to us. It’s crazy to think that it is a full circle moment and I am now in that position being able to hopefully, even if it’s just one or two kids leave an impression on, a positive one, that’s a really exciting outcome.”

The Olympics Unleashed program has facilitated almost 600 athlete visits into schools to share the story and in doing so, inspire and motivate students to participate in sport.

The program is a joint initiative between the NSW Government and the Australian Olympic Committee. NSWIS proudly supports the program by facilitating communication with athletes and providing training facilities.