Building Connections Through Sport: How the ACT Defence Community Sport Expo strengthens wellbeing
With the many uncertainties defence families face, sport can be the thing that provides structure, consistency and an outlet for connection. This is certainly the case for the Evans family, with parents Jodie and David meeting through road cycling in 2007. Since then, the pair, now with two children, Brooke and Ashley, have โenjoyed sport on so many levels,โ says Jodie. โWhether competitive or just for fun, kicking the ball around with the kids,โ she shares that sport has been something that connects them as a family.
When Davidโs service in the Army caused the family to move to Canberra, sport became not just an activity but an opportunity to meet people with similar backgrounds, providing a way for the family to begin building relationships within their new community. They attended the inaugural ACT Defence Community Sport Expo in 2022 to see how they could become active members of their new community and loved it so much theyโve attended every year since.
Over the years theyโve watched the event grow, with the 2025 expo over the weekend marking their fourth visit to the event at the Tuggeranong Archery Club. Hosted by Invictus Australia, this expo has become a welcomed opportunity for connection, not just for the Evans family, but for the broader defence community too. These days are important in providing opportunities to connect with likeminded people, who have a shared understanding of the unique challenges of defence including frequent relocations, separation from loved ones, and the transition to civilian life.
For Jodie and her family, this annual event was a chance to re-establish that sense of belonging through sport, learn about organisations dedicated to their ongoing support and connect with other veterans and families.
Sport as a Connection Point for the Whole Family
Despite moving to Canberra in 2020 as a result of Davidโs army service, lockdowns meant the family was unable to connect, leaving them feeling quite isolated. So, when the inaugural Defence Community Sport Expo was advertised in 2022, they decided the time was right to lean in, meet people in the local community and see what sports were available for them to participate in in their local area.
โWhen we heard about the event, we were still finding our feet in Canberra and loved seeing what was available to military members.โ
They have watched the expo grow each year, however for Jodie, her highlight has been trying out new sports and watching her husband and kids do the same.
โParticipating in all the different activities has been a highlight for myself, Dave and the kids. Through these events, the kids have tried sports they otherwise wouldnโt have, like pickleball.โ
At this yearโs expo, the addition of sports like mountain biking and karate allowed her husband and kids to explore new local opportunities they had not previously considered, while allowing the family to create memories through sport.
A starting point for continued sport participation
While the expo allowed for a fun family day out for local defence community members, one of the main purposes is to encourage the connection between veterans and families and local sporting groups.
This connection point has been something Jodie has used throughout the years as a way to keep her involved in sport. For her, the benefits she has gained through regular sport have been transformative.
โI joined the indoor rowing group after initially trying the sport at one of these expos. Since then, it has been a great way to keep connected, make new friends and feel anchored to a community each time we move.โ
At the 2025 expo alone, Jodie signed up to the local pickleball and outrigger canoeing groups, after learning that they could work in with her schedule.
โOutrigger canoeing happens during the day, so it is perfect for me to do on the days I do not work, while the kids are at school and Dave is working.โ
Like many defence family members, regular participation in sport provides Jodie with a sense of stability, belonging, and routine, no matter where her husband is posted. It fosters strong social connections, improves physical and mental well-being, and creates a supportive network that makes each move feel a little more like home.
Support from government for the power of sport for veterans
This year, it was great to have David Smith MP, Member for Bean and Senator David Pocock who attended with his family, both engaging with the defence community on the day.
During his visit, David Pocock shared with us the importance of connecting the defence community through sport. โThe Royal Commission revealed a lot of areas we need to improve. We have seen the government accept recommendations but the thing we now need to do is be funding the organisations that are creating community and ensuring that veterans donโt fall through the cracks.โ He added, โLove the work that Invictus Australia is doing in actually creating those meaningful connections, not just for veterans, but for their families too.โ
The Lasting Impact of Sport on the Defence Community
By creating a space where veterans and their families can come together, try new activities, and access valuable resources, Defence Community Sport Expos play a crucial role in improving their overall wellbeing.
Since inception in 2022, the event has more than tripled in participant numbers with over 500 veterans and families coming together in 2025, showing there is a want for more support and connection from the defence community in the ACT. The ACT is home to 22,220 current and former serving ADF personnel (Census, 2011), one of the highest concentrations of defence families in Australia, so days like this are essential to providing this big defence community with ways to connect.
The impact of this expo extends far beyond a single day. The connections made, the support networks accessed, and the sense of belonging fostered through sport continue to benefit veterans and their families long after the event is over. Many participants use this day to join local sporting leagues and work with organisations that can provide support to the entire family. As the expo continues to grow, so too does its role in ensuring that the defence community remains strong, supported, and connected through the power of sport.
Photos taken by Lyle Holt, a veteran who served for 34 years across Navy and Airforce, now on a new adventure through photography.
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