Olympic Change-Makers
With the commencement of the Tokyo Olympics, MGSC's 2021 Olympic Change Maker awardees were announced. The program celebrates young Australian students who “power the change” and are recognised for their work and contribution to Sport both in and out of the MGSC gates.
This award is traditionally awarded to students in years 10 to 12 who demonstrate the Olympic spirit through leadership and driving positive change in their communities or schools. This can take many forms - major to minor and from ordinary to amazing. Whether leading teams, coaching juniors or supporting others or making a difference at a sporting club.
It with great excitement that we congratulate our two senior students – Briar Brown and Lucy Belleville as our 2021 awardees. Both of these students have contributed to many sporting teams and leadership roles during their time at MGSC with Lucy as Jackson Senior House leader and Briar as Senior Sports Co-captain.
Congratulations Briar and Lucy!
Ilana Parker
House competition and interschool sports coordinator
Lucy and Briar's sport insights
Briar Brown Q & A
What is a sporting highlight that has stood out for you during your time at MGSC?
In year 10, our intermediate netball team making it the State round and making it into finals! Also all of the swimming carnivals over the years.
How has being nominated for this award made you feel?
I was happy that I was nominated for this award, as well as excited that my sporting efforts had been recognised in some sort of way.
If you could provide some words of advice to our younger students about being involved in sport at MGSC what would you say?
I would say just give everything a go, either in PE classes, interschool or house events - and do sports you would have normally never do just for the fun and enjoyment of getting to participate with your friends and playing sport. Also don't worry about what others think about it. If you are having fun that's all that really matters!
Can you name an Olympic athlete who you admire and explain why.
I really admire Jess Fox's determination to keep going and pushing in this year's Olympic Games to achieve the result she set out to get and ultimately a gold medal for Australia. I also think this sets an example for lots of younger girls and shows them that if you are determined enough to achieve something, you will go far in the sport that you love.
Lucy Belleville Q & A
What is a sporting highlight that has stood out for you during your time at MGSC?
A sporting highlight that has stood out for me during my time at MGSC would be progressing to further rounds to cross country, and running along side my friends, and being able to watch my two sisters run after me. A standout moment at cross country was this year and being alongside only one other year 12 at the school competing in cross country.
How has being nominated for this award made you feel?
Being nominated for this award has made me feel proud of myself as it is an achievement that I was one of two individuals at MGSC who were luckily enough to be nominated.
If you could provide some words of advice to our younger students about being involved in sport at MGSC what would you say?
I would encourage the younger students to participate in as many sports at they can as it is a great way to make many new friends as well as a great way to find a sport that they may be interested in. I also encourage the younger students to participate in all of the house events in the house competitions to win house points and do the events with their peers.
Can you name an Olympic athlete who you admire and explain why.
I admire Ellie Carpenter an Olympic soccer player, as she began playing for Australia at such a young age and at only 21 years of age is representing her country at Tokyo. As I also play soccer, I admire her achievements and how far she has come throughout her career.