The transformative power of regular community sport for veterans and their families
In Nowra, NSW, Tracey Clothier exemplifies how regular participation in sport and wellness programs can profoundly impact both veterans and their families. As a spouse of a Navy veteran, she understands the unique experiences of veterans, but also how this can affect the entire family unit. Since she began her journey with yoga, Tracey has found a way to foster wellbeing, strengthen family bonds and discover a community she can regularly connect with.
Tracey’s connection to Defence runs deep. Her husband John served in the Navy for two decades and has since dedicated his career to public service, immersing their family in military life. This background has shaped her understanding of the importance of support systems for both service members and their families.
The sporting community is able to support veterans and families in keeping confident and getting out there while still staying connected with people who understand you.”
Finding sport in a local community
When Tracey found the local yoga program, she recognised it as an opportunity to enhance her well-being while surrounded by people who understand the unique aspects of service. “When I saw yoga come up, I said that’s for me,” she recalls.
This decision has been transformative for her physical health, especially as she manages chronic back pain from nursing injuries. However, she did not expect how beneficial the practice would be to her mental wellbeing.
Yoga is holistic and gentle… over time, my physical health has improved, and I now have techniques I can use to calm myself down when tackling life’s daily stressors.”
For Tracey, yoga serves as a much-needed wind-down ritual towards the end of a busy week. “By Thursday, I am really looking forward to it,” she shares. Building a regular opportunity to improve wellbeing, as well as foster social connections with the community, has been transformative for Tracey, inspiring her to share this with her husband.
The role sport plays in social connectedness
While Tracey says her husband John’s physical health was never a major problem, as he remained active during and post service, she did question his social wellbeing.
“I found that he was always retreating, he didn’t get out and socialise as much as he usually did.” she shares. However, after noticing the positive effects attending a regular yoga program had on her overall wellbeing, she decided to encourage John to join.
It was not long until John reaped the benefits of this practice as well. His chronic pain has eased, his flexibility has improved and most importantly, he is now out in the community, being social.
As they became more engaged in their wellness routine, Tracey and John found their social circle expanding. The connections they formed during classes fostered a sense of camaraderie and mutual support. “There is always that checking in on each other to see how you are doing,” Tracey explains, “It’s just a comfortable place to be and everyone feels welcome.”
Sport – enriching bonds and social connection
Today, Tracey and John are empty nesters and are contemplating what the next stage of their lives looks like. However, they do know that incorporating sport into their new routine is on the top of their priority list, now a vital aspect of their lives. Even though their experiences in the defence community are different, the pair are glad to have found something that can benefit both of their wellbeing, while fostering camaraderie with their local community.
After seeing how regular sport and wellness has improved her physical, social and emotional health, Tracey is now encouraging other veterans and family members to give this a go.
Defence life can be hard, but sport can help. Sometimes, family members need this support as much, if not more than a veteran does. After incorporating this into my everyday life, I want to be out and about, I’ve got more clarity, I feel better within myself and look forward to more things.”
Our Veteran Engagement team runs events across the country each day. To keep up to date with what is happening in your area, join your local Facebook group.
- ACT Local Facebook group
- SA Local Facebook group
- Sth East QLD Facebook group
- Nth QLD Facebook group
- Nth NSW Local Facebook group
- NSW Sth Coast Local Facebook group
- Victoria Facebook group
- WA Facebook group
- TAS Facebook group
About Invictus Australia: Invictus Australia encourages veterans and their families to connect and engage with their communities through sport. Whether participating or volunteering at grassroots level, to competing internationally at an Invictus or Warrior Games, Invictus Australia leverages the power of sport to proactively foster good health and aid in recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration. Invictus Australia promotes the physical, social and emotional benefits of sport for all, and shine a light on the unique needs of younger veterans, particularly the challenges associated with transitioning from military to civilian life.
