Invictus Games 2022 – harnessing the power of sport
By Invictus Australia
In October 2021, Veteran Sport Australia, the legacy organisation of the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 officially changed its name to Invictus Australia. The not-for-profit provides opportunities for veterans and their families to engage in sport for ongoing health, whether it’s grassroots participation in local communities for all veterans across Australia, or international competition such as the upcoming Invictus Games.
Originally scheduled for 2020, the Games have been postponed twice due to COVID-19. They will now take place 16–22 April this year in the Hague in the Netherlands, COVID permitting.
The Games demonstrate the power of sport to positively influence the recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration of current and former serving Defence personnel. With a focus on personal recovery, rather than medals, the Invictus Games is a life-changing experience for competitors during the event, but importantly when they return home too.
Working in partnership with the Australian Defence Force, Invictus Australia is sending 26 former-serving Defence members as part of the 32-strong Team Australia to this year’s Games.
Navy veteran Joel Vanderzwan will be competing in Archery, Indoor Rowing, Wheelchair Basketball and Wheelchair Rugby. In 2012, Joel’s life suddenly changed when he was involved in a motorcycle accident resulting in T6 complete paraplegia. Joel spent 11 months in rehabilitation and used his competitive spirit to regain life skills while going through rehab.
‘Sport for rehabilitation is integral not only for my physical health but mental wellbeing,’ he says. ‘Sport has been a big part of my life, so after my injury, it made sense to adapt and use sporting goals to help achieve rehabilitation goals. Sport is the foundation on which many of us rebuild our purpose in life after injury.’
For Joel, the Invictus Games is about much more than just sport; it’s a celebration of everyone’s journeys.
‘I applied for the Invictus Games to test myself and set an example that rehabilitation and reintegration into society never stops. It requires constant work to be able to adapt and achieve your goals.’
Beyond these Games, the immediate priorities for Invictus Australia are to extend its reach to provide sport recovery services in all states and territories, reaching as many of Australia’s veterans and their families as possible, as well as support Team Australia at next year’s Invictus Games Düsseldorf, and beyond.
To this end, Invictus Australia employs two Veteran Engagement Specialists in local communities, building connections with veterans, sporting clubs and ex-service organisations. One of these is Rachel Kerrigan, who is based in Newcastle, NSW and works as far north as Ballina.
‘I really enjoy getting out there and bringing other veterans through that journey to health and well-being, as well as family and mateship, and all those things you miss outside the military,’ says Rachel.
Rachel understands that journey better than most. A former RAAF engineering officer, Rachel joined the Air Force in 1997. After serving in Afghanistan and then returning to civilian life, Rachel had a major journey navigating the complexities of life after being in the military.
‘Post-traumatic stress disorder ripped me of my identity,’ says Rachel. ‘I had gone from a fully functioning adult to someone I didn’t recognise anymore. Sport gave me the tools to manage the anxiety, depression and my headspace – space to breathe. It gave me back a family, mateship and purpose. This is why I love my job with Invictus Australia – I get to share this with other veterans and witness just how powerful sport can be in someone’s life.’
Invictus Australia supports veterans to participate, volunteer, coach or mentor in sporting and recreational activities around the country. Whether it’s surfing, archery, mountain biking, sailing, footy, yoga or even pickleball, there will be a sporting community for you. Most opportunities are free, require no previous experience and are built on camaraderie, community and collaboration.
A wonderful example of such collaboration is the annual partnership between Invictus Australia, Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling, and parkrun during Veterans Health Week. The goal is to encourage veterans and their families to register with parkrun and join the ‘Team Veteran’ Club to keep active & connected.
To continue supporting the veteran community, both internationally and locally, Invictus Australia has launched its inaugural ZERO600 fundraising challenge.
Running from 1st to 10th May, the challenge invites participants to get up at sunrise to supercharge their morning with mind, body and soul routines, developed by Australia’s military veterans. The campaign will raise money for veterans and families to build health and resilience through sport, while participants create new habits to conquer their day. Sign up here: www.zero600.com.au.
To view the four-part video series funded by the DVA on the work of Invictus Australia, visit the Educational Toolkits page of the Invictus Australia website.
Left: Launch of Invictus Australia in October 2021. From left: James Brown, Invictus Australia’s Chairman of the Board; General Sir Peter Cosgrove (Retd), Invictus Australia Patron; Commissioner Gwen Cherne, Veteran Family Advocate and Invictus Australia Ambassador; Michael Hartung, CEO Invictus Australia.
Below left: Veterans taking part in an Invictus Australia sailing event at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Sydney.
Below: Rachel Kerrigan, powerlifting.