ASP: SELECTION PROCESS, CATEGORISATION AND PATHWAYS
WHO CAN APPLY?
Team Australia for the Invictus and Warrior Games is open to both serving and former serving veterans of the regular or reserve Australian Defence Force (ADF) who have become wounded, injured or ill (WII) during or as a direct consequence of their service.
The process of application begins with an Expression of Interest (EOI) for interested individuals to apply to be part of the Adaptive Sports Program (ASP). The ASP is the program that prepares and trains individuals for the Invictus Games and Warrior Games, although an invitation to participate in the ASP does not guarantee selection in the Games.
The selection process aims to identify the individuals that would benefit most from the experience in their recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration efforts.
Invictus Australia advertises the release of the EOI through our social media channels and via our monthly newsletter.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS?
The stages of Team Australia’s Selection Process are as follows:
STAGE 1 – Expression of interest form is submitted by by individuals in response to the release of the Expression of Interest form.
STAGE 2: All individuals who submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) will be invited to complete the official Adaptive Sports Program (ASP) application. This includes submitting supporting documents such as references and relevant medical information.
STAGE 3 – EOIs are reviewed to create a “short list,” before anyone is invited to participate in the program activities. At this point, applicants who are not short listed to join the ASP will be notified that their application has been unsuccessful.
STAGE 4 – Shortlisted applicants for the ASP are interviewed and have their applications reviewed by two panels; a medical panel and a coaching/ management panel. At the conclusion of this stage, applicants are either invited to join the ASP or are notified that their application has been unsuccessful.
STAGE 5 – Applicants that are invited to join the ASP will progress to take part in further selection and program activities. Invitations to activities will depend on the sports and events applied for in an individual’s EOI and for the purpose of selecting teams to compete at the Invictus Games and/ or Warrior Games.
STAGE 6 – A selection panel is formed – comprised of program medical, coaching and management staff – to undertake the process of selecting the Australia Teams for the Invictus Games and Warrior Games. They apply a selection criteria principles to this process.
STAGE 7 – Australian Team is selected and announced at a time determined by program management.
If you’d like to know more about the role Invictus Australia has played in the past in delivering Team Australia to an Invictus Games, in partnership with the ADF, you can watch this short video.
WHAT ARE THE SELECTION CRITERIA PRINCIPLES?
With the criteria weighted toward identifying those who would benefit from sport for recovery and rehabilitation, traditional ‘success’ (i.e. medals) is not an indicator of likelihood of attending another Games.
By selecting new faces, it is also viewed as an opportunity to share the incredible Games experience with as many veterans as possible to maximise the benefits across the defence community.
Team selection criteria and principles adhere to the following;
1. Recovery, Rehabilitation, Reintegration: Each eligible applicant is considered to determine if being within a team environment will assist on their recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration journey.
2. Attitude and Behaviour: An applicant’s ability to represent the values of Service, Courage, Respect, Integrity and Excellence is considered, as is their ability to participate effectively in a multi-sport team environment.
3. Commitment and Sportsmanship: All successful applicants will have the ability to uphold these values as both a group and as a Nation. This is to ensure that the selected individuals can operate as a united team that appreciates the privilege to represent the Australian Defence Force and Invictus Australia.
4. Readiness for Competition: An applicants’ ability to participate in competition environments (with a level of pressure/ stress) is considered, in order to ensure they can compete confidently and safely and maximise sport for their rehabilitation and recovery.
WHY DO I HAVE TO BE CATEGORISED ONCE SELECTED?
Once selected for the team, Team Australia competitors are categorised.
The Categorisation process is run independently by the Invictus Games Foundation, uses a more subjective approach to enable wider participation, and differs from International Paralympic Committee sport classes in number, format, naming and inclusivity, such as including psychological injuries and chronic health conditions. The aim of the IGF Categorisation process is to ensure that it is robust and fair in keeping with the ‘Spirit of the Games.’ It ensures individuals are neither advantaged nor disadvantaged by their impairment(s) and that a consistent approach is adopted across all the nations.
The system used is ‘functional’ – this means that the main factors that determine category are not diagnosis and medical evaluation, but how much the functional impairment of a person impacts upon sports.
HOW MANY GAMES CAN I ATTEND?
The Invictus Games Foundation have introduced a rule where by, competitors may attend a maximum of two Invictus Games, which helps to promote diversity and maximise the influence of the Games. The choice for individual selection remains as per the selection criteria. It is important to note that being selected for Team Australia, or winning medals, in one Games does not guarantee a spot in the following Games given the focus is on recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration.
WHAT IF I MISS OUT?
Positions are limited on the Australian Team and not everyone can attend the Invictus Games or Warrior Games. In previous years, these ASP events have attracted more than 200 applications for each EOI process.
Invictus Australia are here to help support you in alternative sporting pathways that mirror the outcomes of a Games. From international competitions such as the Lifesaving World Championships as part of Team Invictus Australia, to local competitions as a part of Team Invictus Australia, Master’s Games and parkrun.
Get connected to a wide variety of free, local sporting opportunities made possible through Invictus Australia’s connections with Local and National Sporting Organisations such as Rowing Australia, Archery Australia, Dragon Boat Federation, Table Tennis Australia, Water Polo Australia and many others. All events can be viewed here.
There are also Veteran Engagement Managers placed across Australia to help connect your to sport and other veterans and families, in your local area. To find your local representative and to learn more, click below.
APPLY FOR THE ASP
Swimming has become a favourite sport for Team Australia at international events like the Invictus Games, and for good reason.
The sport is highly adaptable, supports a wide range of physical abilities, and allows competitors to train and compete at their own pace. For many in the defence community, swimming provides a low-impact way to rebuild confidence, improve strength and focus on personal progress while still being part of a team environment.
That same approach underpins Team Veteran Masters Swimming Club, created by Invictus Australia as a virtual way to help veterans and their families stay active and connected at home. Members can train locally, take part in competitions, including national events, and remain part of the Team Veteran community.
More information and how to join at the link in bio.
After partnering last year, we’re proud to be walking alongside @themanwalk again across January and February.
The Man Walk is all about showing up, moving, talking and staying connected while creating safe, welcoming spaces for men to connect through simple, no-pressure walks.
Invictus Australia representatives will be at the following walks, and we’d love you to join us. These walks are open to male veterans and male family members aged 18+, with exclusive Invictus Australia challenge coins available for veterans who attend.
Upcoming walks we’ll be at:
🌕 Wollongong, NSW – 5.45am, Friday 16 January
⚫ Maroubra, NSW – 7.00am, Friday 16 January
🌕 Tuggeranong, ACT – 6.30am, Wednesday 21 January
⚫ Maitland, NSW – 6.00am, Tuesday 20 January
🌕Brisbane, QLD – 6.30am, Friday 23 January
⚫Port Noarlunga, SA – 8.00am, Saturday 7 February
🌕Huskisson, NSW – 7.00am, Thursday 26 February
ALUMNI IN ACTION | For Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023 competitor Karl Woodward, community sport has reshaped life after service, helping him rebuild confidence, connection and purpose.
Karl’s path to Invictus began during a difficult period marked by injury, mental health struggles and life changes. But competing in Germany changed his trajectory. As he puts it: “The Invictus Games experience ignited a passion and inspired me to reconnect with the sports I once loved and competed in as a youngster on the Central Coast.”
Since then, he’s thrown himself into community surf lifesaving, indoor rowing and masters swimming. With support from his clubs across the NSW Mid North Coast and Central Coast regions, Karl has steadily built momentum, culminating in fulfilling a lifelong dream in 2025, winning an Australian Lifesaving Gold Medal at the Australian SLS Pool Rescue Championships.
Today, he’s an active member of the Port Macquarie Surf Life Saving Club, volunteering as a lifesaver and competing alongside a community that has embraced him and supported his transition beyond uniform.
Karl says he remains grateful for the people who walked with him through his recovery, adding: “I would encourage any veteran to have a crack and get involved with the Invictus Australian community.”
Join your local Invictus Australia Facebook group to get involved in community sport beyond the Games.