Kingston student uses sport to change the world

Kingston State College’s Jack Bukuru says sport is more than just competition – it’s a tool to build a better future.

The 2025 college captain was one of 25 students from across the country who last week travelled to Canberra for an Olympic “change maker” summit, where he discussed the power of sport in wellbeing, inclusion, and leadership with political leaders and Olympic athletes.

Here at home, Mr Bukuru is known as the school sports leader and for running health and physical education programs for students and young people.

Mr Bukuru is passionate about sports and their ability to make meaningful change in communities and develop leadership skills.

“Many people think about sports as a game, but it’s about making a better future for all of us, which I think has been really highlighted during this change maker program,” Mr Bukuru said.

Sports help him to inspire others, uplift his peers, and create new things, Mr Bukuru said.

“The summit was very rewarding, being around like-minded people who had a common interest in making change in our community,” Mr Bukuru said.

“One of the mentors at the summit was an Olympian who explained how he overcame an injury and other struggles, which was very helpful because we, as young people, are trying to make a change in our community.

“We need lessons like those too, so we can have more knowledge on how we can become better and inspire our community as well.”

At the summit, Mr Bukuru and his group, which included other students, pitched an idea for an app that would allow young people to view sporting events like training sessions or matches in their area.

“If I were to open the app, there would be many different sporting groups in my community area where I could go to have fun and play sports,” he said.

“We hoped it would increase sporting participation among young people, and there would also be incentives from sporting organisations and retail stores who would pay to have their events featured on the app.

“And if young people participate in sporting activities, they’ll receive tokens on the app which they can use to buy discounted sporting equipment.”

The summit, hosted by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), included workshops and development sessions alongside Olympians Noemie Fox (Canoeing), Emma Jeffcoat (Triathlon), Brodie Summers (Freestyle Ski Moguls), Conor Nicholas (Sailing), and Nathan Katz (Judo).

Olympic swimmer Elka Whalan, who swam at the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, and host of the summit, said connecting with young Australians who are already taking on leadership roles in their communities was an exciting opportunity.

“They’re already shaping the future, and we’re proud to support them,” Ms Whalan said.

“The Olympic Change-Maker Summit is about the next generation showing their passion, creativity, and commitment to making a difference through sport.

“We look forward to seeing how these Change-Makers continue to grow, inspire others, and contribute to a more inclusive and vibrant sporting landscape across Australia – particularly with the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games on the horizon.”

Mr Bukuru’s sports of choice are volleyball and athletic track events, and while he has his own aspirations to reach the Olympic Games one day, he plans to go to university next year.

“I’ve got an early offer into Bond and Griffith, so I’ll probably be going to study biomedical science at one of those two universities.”