Nominations for the 2023 Change-Maker programme can be made until September 8 ©AOC

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) have launched their annual "Change-Maker Program" for 2023 with a call for nominations of  high school pupils who have "demonstrated Olympic values both on and off the field of play," in their schools and local communities.

The scheme is now in its fifth year and the theme for 2023 is "Power the Change."

Applicants receive an invitation to the Change-Maker Forum and a certificate of recognition. 

They will also be encouraged to submit a one-minute video expressing their interest in attending a nationwide "Summit," where 25 young leaders from across Australia meet in a three day event.

"As we continue down the green and gold runway towards Brisbane 2032, it is important we continue to champion the young Australians driving positive change," AOC chief executive Matt Carroll said.

"Our Change-Makers from previous years are already making a difference in their communities and indeed in the Olympic Movement,"

Nominated pupils will be invited to a Change-Maker Forum where they will have the opportunity to discuss their ideas with Olympians and sports officials ©AOC
Nominated pupils will be invited to a Change-Maker Forum where they will have the opportunity to discuss their ideas with Olympians and sports officials ©AOC

Six of those chosen from last year's scheme recently took part in a Brisbane 2032 Legacy Forum. 

Olympic freestyle skier Rohan Chapman-Davies, 22nd in the moguls at Pyeonchang 2018, took part in the sessions with the Change-Makers as mentor.

"The Australian Olympic Change-Maker Program encourages students to become advocates for the values they want to see embodied in the future of Australian sport,and the students engage with contemporary sporting issues and provide the youth perspective to the AOC," Chapman-Davies said.

"At the National Summit, I mentored a team of six Change-Makers as they prepared their presentation to the AOC, the enthusiasm and passion demonstrated was incredibly inspiring."

James Johnson, chosen in 2022, believes the scheme is a once in a lifetime opportunity,

"A highlight from my experience was meeting and being able to collaborate with the other like-minded Change-Makers," he said.

"We all got along so well because we were all united by one clear goal, to power the change in our communities through sport."

The Australian Olympic Committee's
The Australian Olympic Committee's "Change-Maker Program" is now in its fifth year ©AOC

Teachers are allowed to nominate a maximum of two pupils from year 10,11 or 12 .

"In 100 words or less, please advise why you are nominating this student for the Australian Olympic Change-Maker Award i.e. describe how they are demonstrating leadership and/ or creating change," the application form asks.

The deadline for applications is September 8.