In this episode, Mal Galer is joined by Nick Collins, Director of Sport at Emmanuel College, and Lachie Purdie, Emmanuel College alumni and under-20 gold medalist decathlete, to explore the powerful role sport plays in a student’s school journey.

Together, they dive into the many benefits of sport — from physical fitness and mental wellbeing to character building, resilience, and lifelong friendships. Nick shares insights on how sport helps students develop vital life skills like teamwork, time management, and motivation, while Lachie reflects on his own journey balancing elite sport and academics, and the importance of strong support networks.

They also tackle how parents can best support both enthusiastic athletes and students who may not naturally gravitate toward sport, offering practical tips for helping children stay active, find their passion, and learn to thrive through the ups and downs of training and competition.

This episode is an inspiring reminder that sport in school is about far more than games on the field — it’s about nurturing whole, healthy, and well-rounded young people

Learn more: Emmanuel College
Have questions or feedback? Contact us at production@emmanuel.qld.edu.au