Leaders unite as Invictus Australia sets sights on 2031 Games bid 

Reflections on the legacy of the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 set the tone for a gathering of government, business and veteran leaders in Canberra, who came together to hear from Invictus Australia about the organisation’s intention to bring the Games back to Australia. 

Attendees were reminded of the profound impact of the 2018 Games and the unique legacy it created through the establishment of Invictus Australia, which has declared it wants to pursue a bid to host the Invictus Games in 2031. 

Building upon the legacy of the Invictus Games Sydney 2018  

When the Games were hosted in Sydney, they captured the hearts and minds of Australians. 

Across seven days of competition, 491 competitors from 18 nations took part, drawing 105,000 spectators. The stands were filled with 1,007 family and friends, supported by 1,263 volunteers, and more than 10,000 primary and secondary school students attended through an education program that was a first-of its kind for The Invictus Games. 

The true impact of this event came when the curtains closed. After the Invictus Games Sydney 2018, nine in ten Australians expressed strong support for programs that help veterans overcome physical injuries and mental health challenges, and agreed that Invictus had made a meaningful difference in the lives of veterans with injuries and mental health challenges. Seven in ten said they wanted to play their part in supporting wounded, injured and ill veterans. 

More than 8.7 million Australians followed the Games on television, online or through social media. Among volunteers, 93% said their experience left them wanting to work with Invictus Games competitors, and 94% reported they were now more likely to support initiatives that assist the recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration of servicemen and women. 

Globally, the 2018 Invictus Games reached an audience of 25.7 million people. Yet perhaps the most enduring legacy was the creation of Invictus Australia – the organisation now leading a bold effort to return the Games back to Australia to continue to deliver real and measurable impact to Australia’s veteran community, and their families.  

“We know the 2031 as a Games is going to be hotly contested. It is a journey and it’s one that we’re ready for,” said Glenn Keys AO, Chairman of Invictus Australia. “This is the beginning of what is a process, and we need to marshal all of these resources behind us.” 

Keys acknowledged that the world has changed since Australia last pursued a bid, and that Australia will face a new landscape in making its case. 

“We realise it will be a different round of challenges and yet if we look back at what we created and what came from the 2018 Games, I think you can see why we have to take a hard run at this. 

“We know the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide came out with over 122 recommendations. We’ve highlighted clearly that sport can contribute to 34 of those recommendations. 

“It is critical to be able to now incorporate sport into that solution for veterans,” he said. 

A renewed alliance with Deloitte 

Deloitte, instrumental in securing and delivering the 2018 Games, has again signalled its commitment to supporting a future Australian bid. Keys noted that Deloitte’s longstanding alliance continues to play a defining role.  

“It’s not often you see a decade long engagement between a business and an organisation like Invictus,” Keys said. 

“Their support for veterans and the Invictus movement here in Australia cannot be overstated, and we sincerely thank them for their support,” he said.  

Deloitte Partner and veteran, Nagy Sorial said the objectives of the Invictus Games was what united both organisations.  

“Our alliance with Invictus Australia really is about bringing the Invictus Games to Australia in 2031. It’s not about Deloitte, it’s not even about Invictus Australia, it’s really about our veterans. It’s about the veterans and their families,” Sorial said.    

“To me, it is about veterans helping veterans and our Australian community supporting the veteran community.   

“That’s what inspires us at Deloitte. To breathe life back into our linkage, our alliance with Invictus Australia and the effort that we will put in to do everything we can to support Invictus Australia to bring Invictus Games 31 back to Australia.  

“It’ll be a hard ask to get it here. It’ll be an even harder ask to beat how good 2018 was, but we are up for the challenge – just as Invictus Australia, our veterans, and our veteran families are,” Sorial said. 

Supporting veteran rehabilitation and recovery 

Invictus Games alumnus and Deloitte Manager Joel Vanderzwan shared his personal journey, recalling how he watched the 2018 Games from a hospital bed before being encouraged to apply for the Invictus Games The Hague 2022. 

“I applied and went to the selection camp, and it was terrifying. In retrospect, it was the best experience of my life, bar getting married and my kids,” Vanderzwan said.  

What followed, he said, was a renewed sense of purpose. 

“I was just so enthused. I knew I didn’t really want to do Invictus as a competitor again because there’s only 30 spots (on the team) so if I was to take that spot, someone else would be missing out on what I had. 

“I stayed involved through being involved in coaching at camps and taking my basketball team that I coach in my local comp to play the Invictus team and a bit of training and helping other veterans on the side. 

“And I really just got addicted to the ongoing Invictus community, after the Games, to be fair,” he said. 

Building a legacy Beyond the Games 

Invictus Australia CEO Michael Hartung OAM said the enduring strength of the movement lies in the community built around it. 

“One of the really powerful things that’s been created here is that it’s not just about the Games, it builds community that lasts beyond the Games,” Hartung said.  

“That’s a real critical feature of the success that we’ve had here in Australia. The Games are a nice pinnacle event, but not for everybody. And if you get an opportunity then, what do you do next? 

“The 2018 Games led to the creation of this legacy and this legacy has gone on to lead the world Invictus movement in ongoing programs and support for veterans. 

“Now is the time for us to evolve this legacy and keep progressing opportunities for veterans to grow and thrive through sport. Bringing the Invictus Games back to Australia in 2031 is one way that we can do this,” he said.  

As the evening ended, Invictus Australia confirmed that Cobber – the mascot of Invictus Games Sydney 2018 will return, serving as a symbolic link between the Sydney Games and a potential bid for 2031.  

Invictus Australia is inviting Government and Corporate Australia to engage, demonstrate their backing and help shape a proposal with broad national support. 

Funding and wide‑ranging commitment will be essential to any future bid. Over the next 12 months, Invictus Australia will work with government, industry, community organisations and the Australian public to develop a strong, inclusive plan that reflects support from across the country. 

To find out how you can support, visit our dedicated #In4TheAussieBid landing page