Intro
Photo: Students from Hannans Primary School, Kalgoorlie with Jayde Taylor and Trent Mitton. Photo courtesy of WAIS.
The program, supported by DLGSC through its Regional Servicing Grant, brings Olympians and aspiring Olympians into classrooms and communities helping youth to be their best selves, live a healthy lifestyle and grow their interest in Olympic sports and the Olympic Games.
The duo visited schools and community clubs across the Goldfields region, sharing their Olympic stories, and educating local youth on finding their passion, setting goals, overcoming challenges, and building resilience.
As part of the tour, DLGSC staff members accompanied the traveling Olympians helping to spread the message and nurture the ongoing relationship between Western Australian sporting communities, the Unleashed program and athletes.
Photo: (L-R) Jayde Taylor, Kelly Waterhouse and Trent Mitton.
DLGSCs Goldfields Regional Manager, Kelly Waterhouse, said it was great to have the athletes visit, giving kids inspiration to aspire to be WA’s next generation of future Olympians.
“The whole community was just so grateful to have Jayde and Trent come to the Goldfields and spend time with our youth.
“To these kids, Olympians are not just athletes, they are heroes whose dedication and passion helps young minds to dream bigger”, she said.
Kelly also mentioned Goldfields youth are benefiting from several other grant programs run by DLGSC which are helping more kids participate in sport.
“Eligible families can gain financial support through DLGSC’s KidSport program which has funding available of $300 to help our young rising stars on their pathway.
“Since 1 July 2023 to now, nearly 400 kids in the Goldfields region have accessed more than 500 KidSport vouchers to the value of $77,731.
“This funding has enabled kids to access more than 50 different clubs within the Goldfields, with the top sports choices being Basketball, Australian Rules football, Soccer and Netball.
The Goldfields and Esperance regions have also benefited from recent Regional Athlete Support Program (RASP) funding, helping youth progress into elite pathways.
“Currently we have 11 elite young athletes across 4 sports that are currently being supported by the existing RASP grant funding to the Goldfields and Esperance region”, Kelly said.
All photographs courtesy of WAIS.
Find out more about the Olympics Unleashed program