The Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) is celebrating three decades of helping school-aged kids build healthier habits by embracing the nation’s favourite pastime.
Known across the country as one of Australia’s premier sporting facilities, the VIS – and 122 athletes under its wing – made headlines last month as they took on the world’s best at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
Featuring several golden performances from the likes of cyclist Grace Brown and impressive debuts from teenage athletes Brock Batty and Keefer Wilson, the cohort returned home to a warm Aussie welcome at the fittingly named Olympic Park with an impressive 28 medals in hand.
But there’s more to the institute’s story than podium finishes. Behind the impressive sporting accolades and specialised coaching lies another long-running program that might play an even bigger, more impactful role than their Olympic glory.
Since 1994, this Be Fit. Be Well initiative has been silently bringing the wondrous Olympic feats of their star athletes off the big screen and down to the school level, introducing students to discover first-hand the benefits of getting involved in Australia’s beloved sporting scene.
Now, 30 years later, around 300,000 children have experienced the Be Fit. Be Well program, brought to them by Olympians, Paralympians and world and national champions coming into schools all over the state.
Recently, the program, which is delivered through a partnership with School Sport Victoria, has seen dual Olympic bronze medallist Jemima Montag, triple Olympic long-jumper Brooke Buschkuehl and Paralympic triathlete Liam Twomey highlight the connection between sport and good physical and mental health.
Danielle Cook, Head of Learning at Brunswick Secondary College, has built a regular slot for Be Fit. Be Well into the school year, which is just one of many community programs on offer by VIS that are specifically designed to speak to school-aged students.
“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 herself even credits her athletic beginnings to 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.
