Amanda Curby

For many veterans and families, structure, routine and the deep sense of camaraderie is embedded within their lives. Factors like relocations, job changes and transition can affect this.

Sport helps bridge that gap.

It creates a space where connection happens naturally. Whether it’s a shared training session, a competitive match, or simply showing up together, sport rebuilds something many veterans miss: belonging.

Here are five reasons why sport is beneficial for veterans:

🤝Rebuilds a sense of community
The bonds formed through sport mirror those built during service: trust, teamwork, and shared goals.

🤝Supports mental wellbeing
Regular physical activity is proven to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress.

🤝Restores identity and purpose
Sport offers structure, routine, and achievable goals, helping veterans rediscover a sense of direction.

🤝Encourages peer support
Being surrounded by others with similar experiences creates a safe, understanding environment where no one has to explain themselves.

🤝Celebrates resilience
Every training session, every game, every effort is a reminder of strength - both physical and mental.

At its core, sport is about community, connection and becoming stronger, together. ...

On World Health Day, we recognise the role of sport in supporting veteran health across both physical and mental wellbeing.

Research shows that regular participation in sport improves cardiovascular health, strength and mobility, while the routine and social elements of group activity support mood regulation, stress management and emotional wellbeing. Community‑based, team sport also strengthens social support, a key protective factor during military to civilian transition.

For Invictus Games competitor Callan McLean, returning to adaptive sport after medical discharge supported both his physical recovery and mental health.

“Finding adaptive sport and new methods to keep fit and get my sporting fix has allowed me to not only improve my physical fitness once again, but to also improve my mental health.”

Whole‑of‑health support starts with participation people can sustain. Accessible, social and routine‑based sport supports long‑term wellbeing. ...