At Invictus Australia, our mission is to support veterans and their families through the power of sport, helping them transition from military life to civilian life with renewed purpose, identity, and connection. The challenges highlighted by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, including difficulties with transition, mental health, and community reintegration, are central to our work. Through sport, we provide veterans with a way to rebuild their sense of self, foster meaningful relationships, and improve their mental and physical well-being.

Our two primary streams of work, local sport and international events, are both designed to empower veterans through connection, resilience, and purpose.

The importance of community connection, resilience, and positive wellbeing has never been more important and this event provides a vital platform for veterans and their families to come together, access essential services, and discover how sport can play a key role in their wellbeing and recovery journey.  

Local Sport: Building Community and Connection

At the heart of Invictus Australia’s work is our commitment to local sport. We recognise the profound role that community and sport play in the lives of veterans, offering them a way to stay connected to others who understand their unique experiences. In 2024 alone, almost 7,000 veterans and family members attend over 350 community sporting events, with more than 1,000  volunteers helping to facilitate these events across Australia, demonstrating the vital role these opportunities play in fostering community, well-being, and purpose.

Through partnerships with major sporting organisations, we offer veterans consistent access to local sporting events, activities, and programs that help them stay physically active, develop new skills, and maintain positive mental health. These programs are designed to create sustainable, long-term engagement that encourages veterans to stay connected, active, and supported by their peers and their community.

Michael Hartung OAM, CEO of Invictus Australia, shares: “Our local sport programs are essential to helping veterans find connection and community. They give veterans the opportunity to engage in meaningful activities that promote their well-being and help them navigate the challenges of transitioning to civilian life.”

These local opportunities are essential for supporting veterans’ mental health and reducing isolation. It’s not just about the participation in sport, we also offer opportunities to spectate, coach or volunteer, to ensure there are a variety of ways in which the defence community can experience spot and its benefits, including social integration, and a renewed sense of purpose.

International Events: Providing Purpose, Resilience, and Global Connection

The second key stream of our work is international events. These events, such as the Invictus Games and Warrior Games provide veterans with an opportunity to represent their country on the world stage, showcasing their resilience and determination. These competitions are more than just physical challenges, they are a chance for veterans to build global connections, inspire others, and demonstrate the life-changing impact of sport on their recovery journeys.

In February 2024, during the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, over 500 individuals from the defence community got involved in sport within their communities throughout the month. Watching veterans compete on the global stage, not only motivated other veterans to participate in similar activities at home but also reinforced the power of sport in helping veterans reclaim their purpose and sense of identity. Invictus Australia partner with the Australian Defence Force to deliver Team Australia to these Games formats.

The exposure and visibility of these international events offer veterans the opportunity to compete in a supportive and encouraging environment. These experiences, whether competing or cheering on fellow veterans, inspire pride and a sense of belonging, providing veterans with a platform to show the world their strength and resilience.

Michael Hartung OAM reflects, “International events like the Invictus Games provide veterans with a powerful reminder of what they are capable of. These events inspire hope, reinforce the importance of connection, and help veterans realise that their journey of recovery is not only possible but achievable.”

International events also help elevate the visibility of veterans’ stories, showcasing their personal growth and healing while highlighting the value of sport in addressing critical issues such as mental health and social reintegration. Beyond the opportunities available from a Games perspective, Invictus Australia are continuously working with sporting partners to identify new opportunities for competition, most recently having a team competing at the Pan Pac Masters and Lifesaving World Championships.

The Impact of Sport: Purpose, Connection, and Mental Health

Both local sport and international events are vital in addressing the mental health challenges veterans face. Participation in sport has proven benefits, including improved mental well-being, reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, and better overall physical health. Sport provides veterans with a sense of structure, discipline, and accomplishment, critical elements that are often lost during the transition to civilian life.

The sense of purpose and identity gained through sport is invaluable. Veterans who engage in these programs report feeling a stronger sense of belonging and connection, both within the defence community and the wider society. These connections are crucial for promoting long-term well-being, fostering resilience, and preventing isolation. You can read more about people who have experienced these benefits like Callan McLean

By providing veterans with opportunities to stay active, engaged, and connected, Invictus Australia helps them develop a lasting sense of purpose and identity that extends beyond their military service.

Looking Ahead: A Future of Resilience and Growth

Invictus Australia remains committed to expanding both streams of work, local sport and international events, to ensure that veterans and their families continue to have the support and opportunities they need to thrive. As we look to the future, we are beginning to form partnerships with organisations outside of the veteran space, who are able to help in providing opportunities for the defence community, like Volunteering Australia, are dedicated to creating more opportunities for engagement, growth, and healing through sport.

Through our local sport programs, we will continue to foster connection and well-being in communities across Australia. Through our international events, we will inspire veterans to reach new heights and share their stories of resilience with the world.

We are proud to walk alongside veterans and their families as they navigate their journey of recovery and reintegration. Through sport, we help them build a future filled with purpose, connection, and well-being.