Meet Team Australia heading to the Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023 this September!
Invictus Australia in partnership with the Australian Defence Force will send a team of 31 former and current serving veterans to Düsseldorf, Germany this September as part of the sixth iteration of the Invictus Games.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, The Hon Matt Keogh MP, said the combined Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Invictus Australia team, was a credit to the nation.
“On behalf of all of us sport-loving Australians, I wholeheartedly congratulate all the incredible members of Team Australia, who will not only represent our country at this year’s Games, they will represent all those who have served our nation in our ADF,” Minister Keogh said.
“I commend Invictus Australia on their mission to adapt to the ever-changing needs of Australian veterans and families and the powerful role sport can play in strengthening wellbeing, supporting transition, recovery and rehabilitation.”
meet invictus games:team australia 2023
According to competitor Lenny Redrose, a T4 paraplegic complete, who is returning for his second Invictus Games, attending another Games gives him goosebumps.
“This is my second Invictus Games. I am very, very fortunate. I still get goosebumps. My life hasn’t been easy, from growing up in very low economic conditions, drug addiction and spinal cord injury; however, I never gave up.”
Below knee amputee, Ainsley Hooker, also had her challenges to overcome but has an incredibly positive attitude when it comes to her injury and ongoing recovery.
“Sport is my love but for many years I sat at home and could not move. The choice to become an amputee was hard and took a lot. Being involved in wheelchair rugby has been amazing – the joy and happiness from meeting new people, competing and training has really brought me back from death. I feel alive again and have a new drive to push myself further.”
These are just some of the incredible stories from Team Australia. For more, visit our YouTube Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023 Playlist, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and sign up to our monthly e-news.
Minister Keogh continued, “Sport is a fantastic tool to support veterans as they transition from military service, not only to maintain physical fitness and social connection, but as a proactive and preventative measure to build mental resilience too.”
“I would like to acknowledge the families and friends of our team members, for their support through their rehabilitation journey.”
“The Invictus Games is an opportunity for Australia to celebrate determination, mateship and honour with others from around the world who have also shown resilience in times of adversity,” Minister Keogh said.
The team were selected from the ADF Adaptive Sports Program, which is open to former and current service personnel from all branches of the regular or reserve ADF who have become wounded, injured or ill during their service.
The Invictus Games is an international, adaptive multi-sports competition for serving and former military personnel who have been wounded, injured or become ill during their military service.
Australian competitors will join 500 current and former serving military personnel from 21 other nations to take part in the Invictus Games.
Team Australia will participate in sports including athletics, indoor rowing, powerlifting, road cycling, sitting volleyball, table tennis, swimming, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby.
The Invictus Games is an international, adaptive multi-sports competition for serving and former military personnel who have been wounded, injured or become ill during their military service.
MEDIA NOTE: Media can access imagery at https://images.defence.gov.au/S20230666
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