Brayden Maynard, Harry Perryman and AIA Australia flip the script to honour the teachers who inspire the legends 

PRESS RELEASE
20 July 2026 dot 3 min read
Collingwood superstars surprise beloved primary school teacher with their own AFL-style trading card as AIA launches Australia's search for the nation's healthiest schools.
 
Melbourne, 20 July – Before they became some of the AFL's biggest stars, Brayden Maynard and Harry Perryman were just primary school students inspired by great teachers.
 
Now, they’re returning the favour.
 
In a surprise celebration at Syndal South Primary School in Mount Waverley, Maynard and Perryman will present beloved primary school teacher, Mr Riley, with a one-of-a-kind AFL-style trading card featuring the teacher as the star – before asking for their autograph, turning the traditional fan moment on its head.
 
The heartwarming surprise recognises the often-unsung role teachers play in helping shape the next generation of leaders, athletes and changemakers.
 
The special moment marks the launch of AIA Healthiest Schools 2026, the national initiative of leading life and health insurer AIA Australia, encouraging students to build healthier, happier and more sustainable school communities.
 
Now in its fourth year, the free program gives schools access to curriculum-aligned teaching resources across nutrition, physical activity, mental wellbeing and sustainability, while also inviting students to develop real-world health initiatives through a national competition with up to $150,000 in prizes.
 
This year, the AIA Healthiest Schools program is also being supported by Collingwood Football Club and its Future Magpies program, a community and talent development initiative dedicated to engaging local communities and nurturing the next generation of members, fans and athletes.
 
Given the strong alignment between the two programs, the Future Magpies program will help promote and encourage participation in the AIA Healthiest Schools program throughout its work in schools.
 
AIA Australia CEO and Managing Director Damien Mu said empowering healthier futures starts in the classroom.
 
"Teachers have an enormous influence on children's health, wellbeing and confidence. Through AIA Healthiest Schools we're giving educators and students practical tools to create healthier school communities while recognising the incredible role teachers play every day.
 
We’re thrilled to take AIA Healthiest Schools to a new level this year through our partnership with Collingwood Football Club, with the program promoted as part of their Future Magpies initiative.
 
We also look forward to seeing this year’s inspirational competition entries, showcasing how students and teachers have collaborated to make a positive difference in the health and wellbeing of their school community."
 
The AIA Healthiest Schools competition invites students aged 5–16 to identify a health or wellbeing challenge within their school and create an initiative to solve it. Previous winning projects have tackled issues including healthy eating, physical activity, mental wellbeing and sustainability.
 
Schools can win a share in a $150,000 prize pool to help bring their ideas to life or expand existing wellbeing initiatives. The competition is open until 3rd December 2026, with further details available on the AIA Healthiest Schools website.
 
The free program also provides teachers with lesson plans, classroom activities, videos and presentations, with all resources available from the AIA Healthiest Schools website as well as the Cool.org platform.
 
For more information or to register, visit https://ahs.aia.com/au/en/
*The AIA Healthiest Schools Competition is subject to Terms and Conditions which can be viewed here.
About AIA Australia
AIA Australia is a leading life insurance specialist with over 50 years’ experience and a purpose to make a difference in people’s lives. In 2014 the company launched AIA Vitality, a world leading, science-based health and wellbeing program, to the Australian market. In July 2017, AIA and its partners launched AIA’s health insurance business, now known as AIA Health Insurance.
 
In 2021, CommInsure Life was integrated into AIA Australia. The lives of more than 3.1 million Australians are protected and enhanced through AIA Australia’s unique value proposition of life, health and wellbeing. Our vision is to embrace shared value in championing Australia to be the healthiest and best protected nation in the world.
 
 In pursuit of this, AIA Australia has developed AIA Embrace- a comprehensive wellbeing ecosystem of world-class products, programs and partnerships. These are designed to help customers, partners and the broader community to embrace better health and wellbeing.
 
In offering a broad range of health and wellbeing services to its customers, partners and broader community, AIA is proudly helping people lead healthier, longer, better lives. 
 
AIA Australia is proud to have become a participant of the UN Global Compact in 2025, joining other like-minded organisations who are committed to supporting the sustainable development goals and ensuring a healthier, happier future for all.

AIA Australia has been recognised with multiple awards, including the ANZIIF Life Insurance Company of the Year (2024, 2023, 2022), GoodCompany Award – Top 40 (2024), Women in Finance Employer of the Year Award (2018, 2019), Super Review’s Best Insurer of the Year (2018, 2019), FSC Life Insurance Industry Awards Innovation in Group Life Insurance (2021), Shared Value Awards Organisation of the Year (2020) and Shared Value Project of the Year (2021).
 
Further information at www.aia.com.au
For all media enquiries, please contact:
 
Chloe Koutsoukis
Sunday Gravy PR
T: 0466 568 412
 
Kathryn Kelly
AIA Australia
T: 0466 595 136
Copyright © 2026 AIA Australia Limited (ABN 79 004 837 861 AFSL 230043). This is general information only, without taking into account factors like the objectives, financial situation, needs or personal circumstances of any individual and is not intended to be financial, legal, tax, medical, nutritional, health, fitness or other advice. The source information is current as at 28 January 2026 and may be subject to change. While the information contained herein is believed to be accurate, AIA Australia expressly disclaims any and all liability for representations or warranties, expressed or implied, contained in, or for omissions from, the information.

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