Team Veteran
Join veterans and their families all over Australia, to find a local, supportive sporting community suited to you
THE ORIGINs of
‘Team Veteran’
AT parkrun
Invictus Australia created Team Veteran as a parkrun group back in 2019, when we were Veteran Sport Australia.
In 2019 Invictus Australia and parkrun Australia began a community partnership to promote parkrun as a welcoming space for veterans, current and formerly serving, and their families to connect through community and movement.
This strategic partnership encourages parkrun participation in any form whether walking, running, rolling, volunteering, or simply cheering from the sidelines. At the heart of this collaboration is the creation of the parkrun group ‘Team Veteran’, which has grown to become one of the top three parkrun groups nationally.
The ‘Team Veteran’ group is a community that celebrates service, fosters belonging, and allows defence community members to connect with each other and the broader community. Whether you’re looking to build new friendships, maintain a healthy routine, or just enjoy being outdoors with others, parkrun and Invictus Australia are here to help you take that first step.
Together, we’re proving that movement, no matter the pace, can be a powerful force for connection, recovery, and wellbeing.
How to join parkrun’s Team Veteran:
1. Join parkrun – register at www.parkrun.com.au/register
2. Then, join the Team Veteran run club by following.
HISTORY OF PARKRUN TEAM VETERAN
2019 saw the launch of Team Veteran and that same year we partnered with Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling and parkrun to promote the team to an even larger group of veterans, their families and the community to spread the message of the healing power of sport and connection.
2020 saw the collaboration evolve during Veteran Health Week, with the very first Team Veteran purple shirt created. So many people wanted one, we ran out!
2021 saw Team Veteran go from strength to strength yet again, bringing RSL National into the fold.
Today Invictus Australia champion Team Veteran and have developed the new yellow and black signature Team Veteran shirts which can be purchased here.
How ‘Team Veteran’
HAS EVOLVED
While parkrun is where Team Veteran began, it has expanded out to all local community sports, where we encourage veterans to take part in sport in their local communities and wear the yellow and black Team Veteran shirts.
Team Veteran now enters teams in multiple sporting and recreational events around Australia, including True Grit military-inspired obstacle events, Dragon Boating, pickleball, the Pan Pacs Masters Games and more. Get in touch to find out how you can get involved with Team Veteran, no matter what sport you’re into.
You can jump online and purchase your Team Veteran running shirt, knowing you are helping Invictus Australia make a positive difference in the lives of veterans and families who have served, through the power of sport.
“I really enjoy the support we have from Invictus Australia to enable these sorts of programs so we can get out in our communities to get that camaraderie back that we may have lost after our service or during our transition.”
With 100 days to go until the @ausmastersgames, we are counting down the days until Team Veteran connects on the ground, in Canberra.
Veterans, current serving ADF members and families are invited to join us for a week of sport, connection and community.
Team Veteran is not a specific team in any one sport of the Australian Masters Games, it offers a connection point for those who are a part of the defence community, whether volunteering or competing, to come together and cheer for each other over the course of the Australian Masters Games.
Veterans and families can compete as part of their local sport team and in addition be part of Team Veteran during the Games. Plus, those who sign up to Team Veteran get 25% off their registration.
Learn more and get involved via the link in bio
#TeamVeteran #AMG2025 #InvictusAustralia #VeteransInSport #100DaysToGo
💬 “Sport helps me manage pain, rebuild my fitness, and feel in control of my own survival.” — Captain Olivia Miley-Dyer
After being diagnosed with advanced thyroid cancer during the pandemic, Olivia turned to sport to help rebuild not just her body, but her life.
In February this year, she proudly represented Team Australia at the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, competing in biathlon, swimming, nordic skiing, sitting volleyball and indoor rowing. Post Games, Olivia is using movement to stay strong, stay connected and embrace every opportunity that comes her way.
🎙️ In a powerful episode of the Enhanced Effort Podcast, Olivia joins Run Rocket Run hosts Rodney Cottam and Chris Patterson to reflect on resilience, recovery and the power of showing up for yourself and others.
Listen to the full story on Spotify.
@invictusgames25 @livvyrose00 @runrocketrun
#InvictusAustralia #TeamVeteran #RunRocketRun #VeteranStories #ResilienceThroughSport #EnhancedEffort #InvictusGames
With over 200 expressions of interest last year, the Adaptive Sports Program is incredibly competitive and not being selected can be tough.
However, there are still so many ways to stay connected through sport, with local opportunities across the country that support your recovery and growth.