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Invictus excitement builds

Invictus Games coverage has dominated the media of late. From new dates for The Hague, to the announcement of the Dusseldorf Games and even a brand-new Netflix series, momentum is building day-on-day.

The Hague in 2022

The dates for the twice-delayed 2020 Games in The Hague have now been confirmed. The Invictus Games Foundation announced that the fifth edition of the Games will take place in the Netherlands from April 16 – 22, 2022.

Some 500 competitors from across 20 countries will make their way to The Hague to compete in ten adaptive sports events.

The Australian Invictus Team came together in Adelaide last month for their first in-person training camp since the team was named. At the unique training camp, competitors were invited to bring along a family member or friend, in recognition of their important supporting role and to witness the team being presented with their uniforms.

The Australian Invictus Games Team – The Hague
Credit: Department of Defence

Australian Invictus team member Chris O’Brien said, “The Adelaide camp was a great opportunity to reconnect with the team and the wider Invictus family. Returning to that group environment bought back a feeling of solidarity, particularly when presented with our representative uniforms for the Games.”

“We’ve managed so well as a team remotely through the challenges of COVID, but there really is no substitute for being able to train together as Team Australia and celebrate our collective identity as Invictus athletes.”

Let the countdown to The Hague begin!

Expressions of interest open for the Dusseldorf Games 2023

The sixth edition of the Invictus Games will be held in Dusseldorf, Germany in 2023. Earlier this month, it was announced that expressions of interest were open for current and former serving members considering participating in the 2023 Invictus Games.

The Invictus Games are open to those who have been wounded, injured or ill during or as a direct consequence of their service. The Games are an incredible moment in time to harness the power of sport, to challenge and inspire through determination, optimism and mateship. Equally important to the experience are the families and they too can gain a lot from the Games. If you’re interested in being part of the journey, we encourage you to register your interest before applications close on 30 June, 2021.

Whilst the event is a competition, ultimately, the priority of the Invictus Games is assisting with recovery and rehabilitation, not winning medals. If you or someone you know applies but is unsuccessful, we encourage you to continue on your path. There are countless ways to use the power of sport to achieve great outcomes, so if you would like to explore them, please contact us at support@veteransport.org.au or click here.

Australian competitor Darren Peters preparing for Archery at Warrior Games, Tampa 2019.
Credit: Department of Defence

‘Heart of Invictus’ comes to Netflix

With two Games on with horizon, The Hague in April 2022 and in Dusseldorf 2023, it was wonderful to hear the news that Patron of the Invictus Games, The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry,and his wife the Duchess of Sussex, Megan Markle, will produce a Netflix series centred on the international event. The pair’s production company, Archewell Productions, will create a multi-episode docu-series titled ‘Heart of Invictus’. The series will follow the competitors as they train and prepare for The Hague 2020, revealing their powerful stories and incredible experiences.

“Since the very first Invictus Games back in 2014, we knew that each competitor would contribute in their own exceptional way to a mosaic of resilience, determination, and resolve. This series will give communities around the world a window into the moving and uplifting stories of these competitors on their path to the Netherlands next year. As Archewell Productions’ first series with Netflix, in partnership with the Invictus Games Foundation, I couldn’t be more excited for the journey ahead or prouder of the Invictus community for continuously inspiring global healing, human potential and continued service,” said Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, Co-Founder of Archewell Productions and Patron of The Invictus Games Foundation.

Photo credit: The Invictus Games Foundation

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Veteran Sport Australia is a legacy organisation of the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 and exists to support veterans and their families to improve their health and wellbeing through sport and recreation.