Australian veterans excel at Lifesaving World Championships
A message from Invictus Australia
The first ever team of veterans to compete on the world stage at the 2022 Lifesaving World Championships in Riccione, Italy, have made their mark, showcasing to the world that Defence service and lifesaving go hand in hand.
But there was a time when the team was unsure they’d even make it to Italy.
The event was the first time Team Veteran Australia, powered by Invictus Australia, met face-to-face, after the 2020 event was postponed due to COVID. Every member of the team, led by Team Manager and Invictus Games alumnus, Sean Lawler, have worked incredibly hard to sustain fitness and momentum over the past two years. They’ve also had to battle personal challenges, source funding to cover costs, and deal with the uncertainty of global events. The team has epitomised the unconquered Invictus spirit at every turn.
The camaraderie, commitment to each other, and mateship on display was that of a cohesive team, and more, a family.
While the event was always about more than medals, as a sports-loving nation, Aussies want to know how we stacked up. The results were a reminder and testament to what can be achieved when we live by the motto: ‘I am the Master of my fate, I am the Captain of my soul’. The team brought home 35 medals:
- 16 Gold
- 9 Silver
- 10 Bronze
Yet it’s the stories of mateship, resilience and the power of sport for wellbeing that made this an experience to remember. Well done, team – you’ve done Australia and yourselves proud!
For more on this story, visit the Invictus Australia website.
Back row, from left: Chris O’Brien, Alex Tibbits, Dane Hurst, Ryan Gaylard; front row: Zane Holmes (Coach), Dana Richards, Simone Read, Louise Skjeime, Kelly Marsh, Sean Lawler (Team Manager)