School kids regularly compete in national youth sporting championships, but Point Cook’s Howard Chang is right now participating in a different type of national sporting event.
The Homestead Secondary College student is currently in Canberra as one of 26 students from across Australia selected to attend the Australian Olympic Change-Maker Summit.
Running from December 5 to 8, the summit involves students from years 10 to 12, who were selected by a panel of Olympians, meeting to collaborate and discuss the future of the Olympic movement in Australia.
Speaking from Canberra prior to the start of the summit, Howard said his selection was a pleasant surprise.
“When I found out that I was selected for the 2023 national summit, I was shocked but excited,” he said.
“Excited not in the sense that the Olympic organisation recognised me, but in the sense that I was able to travel to share my experiences and ways in which I help develop my community by driving change and innovation.”
A quick glance at Howard’s resume shows he has plenty of experience to share.
Howard is not only the sport captain at Homestead, but established an after school sports academy, is a Wyndam Student Representative, has worked with the Huddle program for under privileged youth and with his father established the Melbourne Volleyball Club, raising $4000 to support it.
He hopes the summit will lead to even great involvement in sport and community.
“Not only will it motivate me to continue pushing for more significant improvements in my community through sports, but it will also provide me with important knowledge and skills that will help me to do so.”
With the Brisbane Olympic Games now less than a decade away, it’s unlikely this will be the last Olympic gathering Howard is involved in.
Cade Lucas.
