With less than 100 days to go until the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, Team Australia are well into their preparations for the trip to Canada, where they are set to compete alongside more than 500 competitors from up to 25 nations in adaptive sports.  

Sport is a vital part of the lives of Team Australia, with competitors from the wounded, injured or ill current and former serving military personnel community, this process so far has been rewarding for not just the team’s physical health, but their mental and social wellbeing also. We sat down with three competitors, each with their own unique story of resilience, determination and strength, to hear how sport has transformed their lives post injury or illness.  

Luke McCallum 

Flying the flag for the ACT is Luke McCallum, who joined the Royal Australian Navy at just 17. After suffering a significant lower limb injury, which eventually led to a below-knee amputation, Luke credits adaptive sports such as indoor rowing and wheelchair AFL to getting him up and out of the house again.

Over in Canada, he will be competing in Indoor rowing, skeleton and wheelchair curling.  

Cindy Chawner 

Cindy Chawner joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1999, serving as a Personal Capability Officer until her medical discharge in June 2023. Growing up, Cindy loved getting active, participating in swimming, running and a number of team sports. Throughout her life, she pushed this to the side, but rediscovered her passion for physical activity post-transition, where she learnt about the Adaptive Sport Program, the road to the Invictus Games.  

Cindy is excited and proud to represent Australia at the next Games, where she will compete in indoor rowing, skeleton, snowboarding, swimming, and wheelchair basketball. 

Ty King  

One of Team Australia’s Queensland competitors, Ty King has loved sport his entire life. Whether it be playing soccer, cricket and rugby league as a kid, or cheering on his beloved Bulldogs as he watches the NRL, sport has given him a sense of community, bringing together like-minded people and providing a goal for him to work towards. A former serving Navy Technician, a knee injury put a dent in his sporting and military career, however this process has provided a welcoming avenue to re-enter the sporting arena.  

Representing the country in indoor rowing, snowboarding and wheelchair rugby, Ty says just being able put on the Green and Gold is a win for him.  
 

From hearing how this process has already impacted Luke, Cindy and Ty’s lives, It’s clear that the Invictus Games is more than just a competition; it’s an opportunity to reconnect with a sense of purpose, community, and strength. But these are just some of the team’s inspiring stories, to read more about their teammates, click here. 

Want a Behind the Scenes look at Team Australia?  

We have just launched our Instagram Broadcast Channel, ‘Aussie Guide to the Invictus Games,’ an exclusive glimpse into Team Australia’s journey to Canada. Join for a behind the scenes look at the Vancouver-Whistler Games, to get to know Team Australia and learn all things Canadian ahead of the February kick off. Click here, or head to Invictus Australia’s Instagram, to join this group! 

Read more:

• Minister Keogh names Team Australia for Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025
• Invictus Games 2025 Selection Camp
• Team Australia gears up for Invictus Games 2025 with one year to go countdown

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.