Ainsley Hooker

DoD Warrior Games 2024 Team Australia Competitor

ADF service: I joined the Royal Australian Corps of Transport in the Australian Army in 2007 as a driver. I was medically discharged in 2013.

Other information: I am a mother to two amazing children, Luke (13) and Isabelle (6). I am a wife to my wonderful, supportive and encouraging husband, Jayson. We met in Albury-Wodonga in the holding platoon and have been happily married for 15 years.

Age: 37

Hometown: Brisbane, Queensland 

Current town: Giru, Queensland

Competing in: Athletics, archery, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby

What is the nature of your injury or illness? In 2007 I sustained a bad ankle injury. Following failed surgeries, I was left with chronic pain and a dying twisted foot and ankle for 13 years and ultimately became a below-knee amputee.

Sports background: From a young age I played a range of team and individual sports with the help, guidance and encouragement of my father. I joined soccer and surf life saving when I was eight and stayed until I joined the military. During primary and high school I did everything, including swimming, cross country, athletics, touch football and soccer, which often meant travelling around to play different teams.

What role has sport played in your rehabilitation? Sport is my love, but for many years I sat at home and could not move. The choice to become an amputee was hard and took a lot out of me physically and mentally. Being involved in wheelchair rugby has been amazing. The joy and happiness from meeting new people, competing and training has shown me there is light at the end and has brought me out of the dark and back into the light. I feel alive again and have a new drive to push myself further.

Why did you apply for Warrior Games? To be surrounded by serving and ex-serving men and women; the feeling of acceptance and understanding that no civilian person will understand. The thought of being in another country wearing green and gold and being surrounded by others going through the same hardship. Finding each other through stories and laughter. I felt like it would be a life-changing experience to be able to travel to the US and meet and compete against other military members from around the world.

How did you feel when you were told you made the Warrior Games team? I was excited and proud to be selected as part of the team and to be given this amazing opportunity to represent my country.

What will “winning” look like for you at the Games? Winning to me at the Games is wearing green and gold to support others from Team Australia. Showing my kids and others out there that missing a limb or struggling with mental health cannot stop you. Proving I am a winner.

Who is supporting you at the Games? My husband, Jayson, will be joining me at the Games. I look forward to showing him my passion, motivation and resilience, and how I have improved in life so much, and that I can do this. My beautiful kids will be at home watching me with Nana on TV.