Have A Go Olympic Challenge 2024

HAVE A GO AT OLYMPIC SPORTS

FIND YOUR SPORT
Background image

Australian Olympic Change-Makers helping to direct AOC ‘Have A Go' Campaign

 

Australian Olympic Change-Makers helping to direct AOC ‘Have A Go' Campaign

Author image
AOC
Australian Olympic Change-Maker 2021

A group of students selected from 23 schools around Australia met last week to take part in the week-long National Summit, the final stage of the Australian Olympic Committee's Australian Olympic Change-Maker. The annual program recognises young leaders who use sport as a catalyst for driving change in their communities.

This year the National Summit took a step further by asking the Change-Makers to help change and shape the AOC’s campaign to drive participation in sport, ‘Have A Go’. Ensuring the voice of youth is heard by the AOC when building programs to better connect with young people.

Students were divided into four teams and worked with team mentors comprised of Olympians Sam Fricker, Zac Stubblety-Cook, Jemima Montag and Melissa Tapper. They worked through a series of exercises surrounding the design of the campaign and the students developed some truly innovative and practical solutions.

Play
WATCH / Australian Olympic Change-Makers, class of 2021

AOC CEO Matt Carroll AM spoke to the students on the final day of the summit, outlining the importance of the campaign to the AOC and thanked students for their vital contribution.

“Each year Change-Maker demonstrates the thoughtful commitment of young Australians wanting to make a positive difference to their communities through the power of sport. The students consistently amaze me with their considered recommendations which we can directly apply to our programs. The suggestions for ‘Have A Go’ are spot on.”

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of our remarkable Change-Makers and their schools for their time and contribution to the Australian Olympic Change-Maker.”

Tokyo Olympian Sam Fricker reflected on his role as a mentor in the program and how the students engaged with the opportunity to redevelop Have A Go.

“During the Tokyo Games I really enjoyed connecting with young people interested in Olympic sport and this was really an amazing extension of that experience.”

“The energy of the students was captivating, and ideas flowed. Students were excited by the opportunity to use a participation campaign like Have A Go to smash stereotypes, build self-confidence, improve physical and mental health, create friendships and have fun.”

“It was really inspiring for me to work with the Change-Makers on these ideas and I can’t wait to see them integrated into the next phase of Have A Go.”

AOC Digital & Marketing Manager Will Jago is one of the custodians of the Have A Go program and spoke about the opportunity to bring the ideas to life.

“The Australian Olympic Change-Maker program has given us a vehicle explore a variety of concepts and understand critical elements we need to forge an engaging relationship with Australia’s youth.”

“The ideas students put forward during the Summit will really help to shift Have A Go to the next level, by understanding the finer barriers that are faced by different demographics and how best to engage the students. I’m really excited to start to integrate some of the concepts over the next 12 months.”

Naadirah Peer from Runcorn State High School in Queensland spoke about attending and taking part in the National Summit and what it was like to work on Have A Go.

“Attending this year’s Australian Olympic Change-Maker National Summit was such a significant opportunity to connect and work with others from all around our country that I am beyond grateful for.”

“I have collaborated alongside aspiring young athletes like myself who aim to be the change in their community, as well as Olympic legends who shared their experiences and impacts they’ve made along their journey."

“Contributing towards the ‘Have A Go’ campaign gave me incredible insight to the way the AOC hopes to build the sporting community in Australia. By having the privilege to my share ideas in order to make sport an accessible outlet has made me feel heard and supported when it comes to my dream of making it to the Olympics.”

For more information about Australian Olympic Change-Maker visit https://www.olympics.com.au/australian-olympic-change-maker/

MORE ON AUSTRALIAN OLYMPIC CHANGE-MAKER
Top Stories