Alex hale

Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 Competitor

ADF service: I joined the Royal Australian Navy in 2002 and have had an excellent career as an Aeronautical Engineer. My career highlights include the opportunity to represent the Navy in the United States to conduct training and introduction into service for the MH-60R ‘Romeo’ Seahawk; deploying to the Middle East to conduct duties with Head Quarters Joint Task Force 633; receiving a bronze commendation for my posting as a career manager for engineers; and my posting as the Aviation Engineering Officer of 816 Squadron (my dream job). Following my injury, I discharged in July 2024 after 22 years of service.

Other information: I married my wonderful wife, Erin, in 2012 and we have a 7-year-old son, Maxwell. We recently moved to Lake Macquarie to be closer to my family who have given us endless support since my injury.

Age: 41

Hometown: Lake Macquarie, NSW

Current town: Lake Macquarie, NSW

Competing in: Biathlon, indoor rowing and wheelchair basketball.

What is the nature of your injury or illness? I am a paraplegic following a complete spinal cord injury in April 2023. I was cycling when a driver fell asleep at the wheel and hit me at approximately 100 km/h. I sustained numerous injuries including multiple spinal cord, clavicle fractures, bilateral rib fractures, collapsed lungs, a broken ankle and multiple grazes. I spent around 10 weeks in hospital and a further 12 weeks in rehabilitation.

Sport background: Growing up I mostly played soccer and rode my bike, with a bit of sailing in early high school. After joining the Navy I played soccer and mixed netball for the Australian Defence Force Academy. More recently, I enjoyed running in the morning before work. I got back into cycling around 7 years ago with greater access to mountain bike trails in and around Canberra. I then got myself a road bike for when the trails were too wet and muddy. 

What role has sport played in your rehabilitation? Before my injury, fitness was crucial for my mental and physical wellbeing. Post injury, sport has been a fundamental component of my recovery. Sport allows me to explore and test my physical limitations, build strength and stamina as a wheelchair user, and overcome the physical and mental obstacles my injury brings. I am grateful to have worked with recreational therapists in rehab that encouraged me to get involved in sport and to have been supported by my excellent care team on discharge to access the equipment I needed to keep this momentum going. I have recently joined a gym and have been overwhelmed by how supportive this community has been.  

How did you feel when you were told you made the Invictus Games team? Humbled. So many people don’t get the opportunity to be involved in this type of program. Through my involvement with the ADF Adaptive Sports Program I have found a community to help me through my discharge and am discovering new communities in wheelchair basketball and archery. It means everything to me to be able to keep that going and play my own small role in other people’s rehabilitation journey. 

What is your greatest achievement to date? Without doubt, my family. Erin and Max keep me going every day, both before my accident and since. I couldn’t imagine doing life without them. I am extremely proud of my 22 years serving in the Royal Australian Navy. My career meant, and still means, so much to me. The Fleet Air Arm will forever be part of who I am. I am also really proud of how I have approached life after injury. It isn’t easy, but I am proud of everything I have achieved so far.  

Why did you apply for Invictus Games? Because my and my family’s recovery journey is far from over. I realised at the Warrior Games how important the program was - not only for my recovery, but for my family’s recovery. Together, it helped us start to move past the shock and grief that came with my accident. I want to continue to show them how capable I still am, especially my son, Max. I want him to understand that we all have different challenges, some physical, some mental, but together we can achieve so much. There is such power in community, connection and inclusion. I want him to know that I am ‘unconquered’ and, more importantly, we can be unconquered together as a family. 

What will ‘winning’ look like for you at the Games? Winning for me is continuing to get stronger and more capable. I have set myself goals around continuing to get my independence back following my injury. Any progress I make is a massive win for me. 

Who is supporting you at the Games? Erin and Max will be leading my cheer squad, supported by the rest of my family…try keeping them away!