Lieutenant commander Alex hale
DoD Warrior Games 2024 Team Australia Competitor
ADF service: I joined the Royal Australian Navy in 2002, with aspirations for a career in aviation, which evolved into the Aeronautical Engineering stream. My career highlights include representing the Navy in the United States to conduct training and introduction of the MH-60R ‘Romeo’ Seahawk helicopter, deploying to the Middle East, and receiving a bronze commendation as a career manager for engineers. Although unexpectedly shortened by my injury, my greatest accomplishment was the selection and posting as the Aviation Engineering Officer of 816 Squadron.
Other information: I married my wonderful wife, Erin, in 2012 and we have a six-year-old son, Maxwell.
I will medically transition from the Navy in July 2024 and plan to spend time with my family while undertaking further rehabilitation and recovery for my injury.
Age: 41
Hometown: Lake Macquarie, New South Wales
Current town: Lake Macquarie, New South Wales
Competing in: Archery, cycling, indoor rowing, shooting and wheelchair basketball
What is the nature of your injury or illness? I am a paraplegic as a result of a spinal cord injury. In late April 2023, I was hit from behind while cycling on the South Coast of NSW, by a ute travelling at about 100 km/h. The ute driver had fallen asleep at the wheel and drifted off the road into the bike lane. I was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital and treated for multiple spinal cord injuries, rendering me paralysed from below the chest. I had collarbone and rib fractures, collapsed lungs 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, rode my bike and did a bit of sailing in high school. After joining the Navy, I played soccer and mixed netball for the Australian Defence Force Academy but, after getting my degree, I mostly dabbled with running and mountain biking.
What role has sport played in your rehabilitation? Before my injury, fitness was crucial for my mental and physical wellbeing in managing day-to-day life. As part of my rehabilitation, fitness forms a fundamental component of my recovery to build strength and stamina as a wheelchair user and overcome the physical and mental obstacles of my injury.
How did you feel when you were told you made the Warrior Games team? I felt equal parts of joy and anxiousness. I am extremely happy to have been selected and have the opportunity to play sport with a lot of new people who share a Defence background but also their own rehabilitation journey. I have some trepidation of competing at the Games and travelling overseas, however I am heartened to know this endeavour is specifically designed to assist me in overcoming these obstacles and complement my rehabilitation journey.
What is your greatest achievement to date? Without a doubt, my selection for the Warrior Games is up there, considering I am still in the early stages of my recovery journey. Also up there is my relatively fast journey through hospital and rehabilitation, which I can attribute to the strong support of my wife, family and friends, but also my mental resilience and positive outlook on life.
Why did you apply for Warrior Games? I was invited to visit an ADF Adaptive Sports Training Camp in mid-2023, where competitors were preparing for Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023. At the camp, I was introduced to several competitors and former competitors, staff and support personnel. Everyone was so supportive and encouraging, and I witnessed the camaraderie and mutual support offered under the umbrella of sport and fitness. My conversations with people there nurtured my determination to apply for the next Games to learn and participate in adaptive sports and potentially travel overseas in a safe and supported environment.
What will “winning” look like for you at the Games? To get overseas, participate in some adaptive sports and share the experience with my family and new friends.
Who is supporting you at the Games? My wife, Erin, and son, Max, are leading my cheer squad, supported by a large contingent of my family also coming to the Games. I am also anticipating strong support from family and friends, including Navy and the Fleet Air Arm, who will watch the Games from home and work.
