April 15, 2026
The Invictus Australia Reception honours community, legacy and the path ahead
Earlier on Wednesday, Invictus Australia hosted a reception at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, which brought together veterans, families, government representatives, corporate Australia, sporting partners and supporters who have shaped and continue to drive, the Invictus Movement forward in Australia.
With Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex delivering a powerful address, the event highlighted Invictus Australia’s evolving role in the global movement, spearheaded by the Invictus Games Foundation. Since the Invictus Games Sydney 2018, Australia has become a benchmark for the Beyond the Games Movement, supporting thousands of veterans and families across the nation.
The heart of the Invictus Movement
As MC Paul Nunnari PSM PLY opened the evening, his own connection to the Invictus community, supporting competitors, advocating for inclusion and working alongside international teams set the tone for a night grounded in lived experience, shared purpose and a commitment to keep the spotlight on the needs of the community.
A global movement, grounded in purpose
In his address, the Duke of Sussex reflected on the origins of the Invictus Movement and its growth into a global community bound by resilience and connection.
“Invictus has always been about more than sport. It is about belonging, community and purpose.” the Duke shared
Since the Invictus Games Sydney in 2018, Australia hasn’t just carried the torch, you’ve raised the standard. What began as a movement in time with the Invictus Games has grown into a continued, sustained support for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans here in Australia. That progress has become a benchmark for the rest of the Invictus movement.”
What began as an idea to use sport as a vehicle for recovery has become something far greater. Across nations and cultures, Invictus has created spaces where veterans and families can reconnect with purpose, identity and one another.
Australia leading the way
Invictus Australia is leading the charge in this global growth.
Since hosting the Invictus Games Sydney 2018, Invictus Australia has built a model that extends far beyond a single event. Through more than 1,350 community-based sporting programs, partnerships with over 20 national sporting organisations, and support for international teams representing Australia on the global stage, the organisation has reached more than 27,000 veterans and family participants, and will surpass 30,000 later this year.
This impact was reinforced by The Hon Matt Keogh MP, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, who spoke to the significance of Invictus Australia’s work in supporting the veteran community and their families.
The evidence led, grassroots approach is part of the reason why Invictus [Australia] has impacted the lives of almost 30,000 veterans and the families of veterans in this country.”
His remarks underscored the critical role that consistent, community-based support plays in the lives of those who have served and the importance of continuing to invest in programs that foster connection, recovery and wellbeing.
The power of partnership
Critically, this progress has been made possible through partnership.
I really want to thank and acknowledge all of those partners that have come together to support the…. necessary work that Invictus does from the grassroots level all the way to international competitions.”
The evening brought together representatives from government, Defence, corporate Australia and the sporting sector, organisations whose support has enabled Invictus Australia to expand its reach and deepen its impact.
Invictus Australia has an engaged group of exclusive, corporate partners who go above and beyond to support this work, many of whom are veterans and family members themselves. Special thanks for the multi-year support and ongoing contributions from UNSW Canberra, IPAR, Ventia, Optus, Boeing, and most recently welcoming Austability who are Supporting Partners of Team Australia for an upcoming event.
Special thanks to Boeing for donating the room to bring the Invictus community together. Boeing has supported the Invictus movement since Sydney 2018, most recently as Co-Presenting Partner at Vancouver Whistler 2025. Locally, they are supporting Invictus Australia through a grant to deliver sport and recreational programs that strengthen the wellbeing for the defence community.
Stories that bring the mission to life
Beyond the statistics and partnerships, it was the personal stories that gave the evening its weight.
Co-Captain of Team Australia at the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, Doug Griffiths, spoke to the lived experience of being part of the Invictus community, both as a competitor and as an alumnus.
“ The Invictus program is not just about sport. It is about restoring purpose. It is about reconnecting individuals with a sense of identity, community, and possibility. It provides a framework where effort matters more than outcome, where showing up is a victory in itself.” Griffiths shared.
What Invictus Australia is doing is taking the magic of the Games and bringing it into local communities right across the country, helping thousands more veterans and their families experience the power of Invictus – and I know it is saving lives.”
His reflections reinforced what so many in the room already knew: Invictus is not just about sport. It is about belonging. It is about connection. It is about finding a way forward, together.
For families, too, the impact is profound. Often the unseen backbone of recovery, their role in supporting veterans was acknowledged throughout the formalities.
Looking ahead: continuing the momentum
The progress made since 2018 has not only changed lives locally, but has helped shape how Invictus is delivered around the world. Australia’s model, grounded in community, connection and year-round engagement, has become a benchmark for what legacy can, and should, look like.
And yet, as was made clear throughout the evening, this is not a moment for complacency.
Demand for programs continues to grow. Interest in future Games is stronger than ever, with Invictus Australia having received over 400 former serving expressions of interest for the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027. The need for connection, purpose and support within the veteran community remains as urgent as it has ever been.
Looking ahead, Invictus Australia will continue to build on this momentum, creating more opportunities for veterans and families to engage, connect and thrive. This includes the upcoming Invictus Australia Sports Festival announced by the Duke, set to take place later this year and further expanding access to the power of sport and shared experience, particularly with the growing need to support in the Indo Pacific Region that Invictus Australia is well placed to assist with. Not least, we have also expressed an intention to bid to bring the Invictus Games back to Australian soil in 2031, which would allow for more Aussie veterans and families to experience the power of the Movement.
Learn more:
- Invictus Australia’s Research Agenda
- Defence Community Sport Research Register
- Invictus Australia’s Foundational Research
- National-first partnership unites UNSW Canberra and Invictus Australia to support veteran wellbeing through a shared commitment to education, research and sport
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