November 12, 2026
Team Veteran Australia announced for 2026 Lifesaving World Championships
Invictus Australia is proud to announce the 12 competitors representing Team Veteran Australia at the 2026 Lifesaving World Championships in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Bringing together current and former serving veterans and family members from surf lifesaving clubs across the country, the team continues a unique history that began with a world-first initiative in 2022.
Established by Invictus Australia with the support of Surf Life Saving Australia, Team Veteran Australia, made history when the International Life Saving Federation granted permission for a combined military veteran team to compete at the Lifesaving World Championships in Riccione, Italy.
Traditionally, competitors had represented their individual surf lifesaving clubs. For the first time, veterans from clubs across Australia could compete together under one team cap.
Following the inaugural team’s appearance in Italy in 2022, Team Veteran Australia, formally known as Team Invictus Australia, returned to the World Championships on the Gold Coast in 2024. Now preparing for its third international campaign, the team continues to bring together veterans and Defence family members from surf lifesaving clubs across Australia, united by a shared connection to service and sport.
The initiative reflects Invictus Australia’s commitment to creating additional sporting opportunities for the wider Defence community, providing a pathway to international competition for veterans and family members, regardless of injury or illness.
Meet Team Veteran Australia 2026
- Stacey Benjamin – Kawana SLSC
- Mark Gilbert – Freshwater SLSC
- Melissa Flynn – Ulverstone SLSC
- Luke Morris – Port Macquarie SLSC
- Jeff Davidson – Mullaloo SLSC
- Craig Vipond – Mooloolaba SLSC
- Remi Rafter – Mooloolaba SLSC
- William Barry – Currumbin SLSC
- Peter Traeger – Secret Harbour SLSC
- Chad Poland – Nowra-Culburra SLSC
- Ben Johnson – North Cottesloe SLSC
- Karl Woodward – Terrigal SLSC (competition) and North Avoca SLSC (patrol)
Six competitors return from the 2024 team, including Mark Gilbert, Craig Vipond, Remi Rafter, William Barry, Chad Poland and Karl Woodward, bringing experience alongside those making their team debut.
For returning Team Chaplain Mark Gilbert, surf lifesaving offers a valuable connection between the Defence and civilian communities.
“When moving between the defence and civilian world, the change is tough and you need support and a place where you feel like you belong. I have seen first hand how Surf Lifesaving can be that place for veterans.”
It is a huge benefit to surf lifesaving clubs to have veterans. As a group, they are competitive, they’re disciplined and they work well in a team together.”
Fellow returning competitor Karl Woodward has also spoken about the importance of sport in his life following military service.
“Sport is now helping me maintain purpose, focus and discipline in my everyday life.”
Invictus Australia’s Director of Teams, Events and Alumni, Adam Pine, said the team’s continued participation in the Championships was something the organisation was particularly proud of.
“When we first established this team in 2022, we were creating an opportunity that hadn’t existed before. To now be preparing for our third World Championships, with returning competitors and new faces joining the team, is something we’re really proud of.
It’s a great example of what we can achieve through partnerships in sport, and the opportunities we can create for veterans and families.”
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