Having the privilege of competing on the world’s biggest stage is one of the main drivers behind the success of Australian triathlete Matt Hauser. Matt made the comment while speaking to students at Xavier Catholic College Hervey Bay on Friday, 10 November.
The 2015 Xavier graduate stopped by his former school during a recent visit back to Hervey Bay.
“It’s great to be able to earn a living through sport, but first and foremost, the greatest honour is being able to represent my country at the Olympic Games and to try and do my best for the flag,” he said.
“The best reward you can receive is the honour you can bring to your family and to compete for your loved ones.”
Matt told students during the visit that one of the most important lessons he had learned during his professional career to date is patience.
“When I was first starting out, I wanted everything to be perfect,” he said.
“I wanted to have success and train perfectly, setting my sights high.
“But I soon realised perfection doesn’t exist all the time. I had to learn how to deal with that, and the\ best way is to have patience.”
Fresh off the back of a second-place finish at the Noosa Triathlon at the beginning of November, Matt says he already has his eyes set on the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The event will be the 25-year-old’s second Summer Games, having made his Olympic debut in Tokyo.
He said the upcoming Olympics would be a different experience to Tokyo, as his family, friends and loved ones would be able to cheer him on in person. The 2020 Games were held under strict Covid-19 regulations.
Despite thriving at sport during his school years, Matt said his academics always came first.
He stressed the importance of education to students, saying he might be earning a living as a triathlete right now, but he has completed a Business Degree in preparation for life after professional sport.
During his visit to Xavier College, Matt visited the College gym, chatted to students about the teachers who played an important role in his schooling career, and explained some of the responsibilities he took on as a College Sports Captain and Narwari House Leader.
College Principal Simon Dash said it was wonderful to have Matt visit the College.
“Young people need positive role models, and Matt is certainly that,” he said.
“Not only is he a successful former student through his sport but has had academic success both at school and in completing his Business Degree.
“It shows that hard work, dedication, and discipline pay off. As a person, he has strong values, and it was wonderful to hear him articulate those to our students.”