Two Western Australian students have presented recommendations to help shape the future of Olympic sport after attending a national leadership summit in Canberra.
Evie Waddington from Mount Barker Community College and Lachlan Broomhall from Shenton College were among 25 students selected nationwide for the Olympic Change-Maker National Summit, run by the Australian Olympic Committee in late November.
The summit connected young athletes with Olympians to provide youth perspectives on the future direction of the Olympic movement.
Waddington, who competes in netball, athletics, triathlon, and basketball, said the selection recognised her community work supporting younger athletes, particularly girls entering football.
“Being selected was such a proud moment because it recognised the work I’ve been doing in my school and community,” she said.
From regional courts to national stage
Students collaborated on presentations based on their experiences as young athletes, focusing on rural sports access, technology, preparations for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, and Olympic legacy.
Waddington worked with Olympic sailor Connor Nicholas and three other students to develop the Olympic Rural Futures Program, aimed at addressing the gap between metropolitan and regional sporting opportunities.
“The idea is that each electorate across Australia, including rural and metro areas, is represented by an elite athlete who is supported by a committee with strong sporting expertise,” she said.
The proposed program would provide guidance, fundraising support, and development pathways for aspiring elite athletes.
Waddington said the initiative addressed a significant gap in Australian sport.
“The program was driven by the reality that around 60% of Australian Olympians come from rural areas, yet consistent facilities and opportunities in those regions are still limited,” she said.
Students presented their proposals at Parliament House to ministers and an Olympic panel.
Waddington said the Australian Olympic Committee’s reception to youth perspectives exceeded expectations.
“As much as we’re young, it was eye-opening to see how seriously the AOC took our ideas,” she said. “It made the whole experience feel bigger than just a student program and showed me how open the AOC is to fresh perspectives.”
Kylie Offer, head of maths at Mount Barker Community College, nominated Waddington for the program, describing her as a community leader willing to accept challenges.
“She embodies everything that the Olympic Change-Maker program represents,” Offer said.
Waddington, a 2025 Education Minister’s Running Challenge category winner, said the summit reinforced her commitment to creating opportunities through sport.
“I don’t just want to achieve things for myself, I want to help shape opportunities for others and make sport a place where everyone feels supported and seen,” she said.