Team Australia Co-Captains Announced for Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025
Team Australia team members Doug Griffiths and Kaz Gladysz were recently named co-captains for the upcoming Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.
Formally accepting this honour over the weekend when the group gathered at the Australian Institute of Sport, the pair will lead a team of 33 current and former serving defence personnel in February next year for the Games’ seventh iteration. The Invictus Games bring together current and former military personnel who have been wounded, injured, or become ill during their service.
Co-Captains Address the Team
Doug and Kaz were shocked and humbled when they were offered these positions and expressed their excitement to their teammates during the last training camp.
I’m honoured and humbled to have been asked to co-captain the team alongside Kaz and it is indeed a privilege to accept this position as part of a special team made up of so many simply amazing people.”
For Doug, the Adaptive Sport Program came into his life at exactly the right time. Living with Stage IV lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma and AL amyloidosis, this program has given him something to work towards and introduced him to adaptive sports that he will continue to be involved in.
After a successful run at the 2024 Department of Defence (DoD) Warrior Games, Doug is ready to support his fellow veterans on the international sporting stage.
“This journey has been amazing, and I am forever grateful for what the program was given to me at a time in my life where I think I needed it most. In fact, the Games itself will start two years to the day that I was sent to hospital prior to my cancer diagnosis – That has to mean something.” – Doug Griffiths
Echoing Doug’s sentiment, Kaz sees her role as co-captain as one that supports the team on their journeys.
I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to support each and every one of Team Australia on our journey now, throughout the games and beyond.”
For Kaz, who will make her adaptive sports debut at the Invictus Games in swimming, biathlon and wheelchair basketball, her journey to the Games has been marked by resilience, including relearning to walk after undergoing significant back surgeries. While she is proud of how far she has come on her journey, she is equally inspired by how the team has come together in such a short time.
“Considering only four months ago we were at our first selection camp, it’s amazing to see how far we’ve all come, both individually and collectively as a team. I know over the next few months; the team will continue to have that same dedication and passion to our training and each other.” – Kaz Gladysz
I AM Unconquered
In true Invictus Games spirit, the pair concluded their address with their I AM pledges for the first time since being named co-captains.
I AM honoured. I AM committed”
I AM broken, but I’m not beaten. I AM proud to be part of this wonderful team.”
Post address, the pair were congratulated by their proud teammates, who are excited to have Doug and Kaz lead Team Australia’s Invictus Games campaign.
“It’s the perfect pick,” says fellow competitor Chelsie Clayton, who met Kaz earlier this year at the team’s selection camp, and has know Doug since she competed alongside him in Florida during the 2024 DoD Warrior Games. She continued;
[The captains] are both beautiful people who will support and carry the team over in Canada and do us all proud.”
Looking Ahead to the Invictus Games
The 2025 Invictus Games will host over 500 competitors from 24 nations, showcasing a mix of traditional adaptive sports and, for the first time, six winter adaptive sports. The competition will include alpine skiing, snowboarding, biathlon, cross-country skiing, skeleton, and wheelchair curling, alongside traditional events including indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball, and wheelchair rugby.
Invictus Australia and The Australian Defence Force partner to support the team heading over to Canada to compete next February through the Adaptive Sport Program.
Want a Behind the Scenes look at Team Australia?
Check out our Instagram Broadcast Channel, ‘Aussie Guide to the Invictus Games,’ an exclusive glimpse into Team Australia’s journey to Canada. Join for a behind the scenes look at the Vancouver-Whistler Games, to get to know Team Australia and learn all things Canadian ahead of the February kick off. Click here, or head to Invictus Australia’s Instagram, to join this group!
Read more:
- Minister Keogh names Team Australia for Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025
- Invictus Games 2025 Selection Camp
- Team Australia gears up for Invictus Games 2025 with one year to go countdown
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About Invictus Australia: Invictus Australia encourages veterans and their families to connect and engage with their communities through sport. Whether participating or volunteering at grassroots level, to competing internationally at an Invictus or Warrior Games, Invictus Australia leverages the power of sport to proactively foster good health and aid in recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration. Invictus Australia promotes the physical, social and emotional benefits of sport for all, and shine a light on the unique needs of younger veterans, particularly the challenges associated with transitioning from military to civilian life.
