Leading seaman harley dodds
DoD Warrior Games 2024 Team Australia Competitor
ADF service: I joined the Royal Australian Navy in November 2014 as a Marine Technician. Since joining I have obtained my Certificate IV Engineering (Diesel Fitter). During my service I have completed four postings on HMAS Canberra in the Marine Engineering department and deployed on several major exercises, including Rim of the Pacific Exercise (2016 and 2022), Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2019 and Operation Bushfire Assist 2019 to 2020.
Age: 26
Hometown: Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Current town: Cronulla, New South Wales
Competing in: Athletics, indoor rowing, powerlifting and wheelchair rugby
What is the nature of your injury or illness? In 2022, while playing for the Navy Tridents rugby league team, I was tackled and someone’s full weight landed on my left ankle resulting in a fracture of the fibula and a complete rupture of some ligaments. As a result, I had ankle surgery and have a permanent ligament tear and osteoarthritis in my left knee.
Sport background: Since a young age I have loved all kinds of sports. I played rugby league since I was seven-years-old until my ankle injury in 2022. I’ve raced off-road motorbikes since I was four and played several other sports growing up, including short track athletics, cricket, soccer, surfing and skateboarding. I love the challenge of sport and the team environment it brings so I have enjoyed trying my hand at different activities.
What role has sport played in your rehabilitation? Sports and athletics have played a major role in my rehabilitation. After my surgeries I was not able to exercise for a long period of time, so getting back into my love for sport and physical activity has been vital to regain my confidence and ability in my knee and ankle.
How did you feel when you were told you made the Warrior Games team? I was ecstatic!It was a big goal of mine to make the team and represent Australia in the Warrior Games, so it filled me with joy and excitement when I received the news.
What is your greatest achievement to date? Hard to name a singular event so here are three memorable achievements:
Losing 35 kilograms over the past 12 months after gaining a substantial amount of weight following my ankle surgery
Representing the Australian Navy rugby league team and playing at ANZ Stadium
Racing in the Australian Junior titles for off-road motocross.
Why did you apply for Warrior Games? I applied for Warrior Games because I got to see firsthand, through two of my work colleagues, how amazing the Adaptive Sports Program and Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 was for them. I also saw it as a great opportunity for me to challenge and push myself in my rehabilitation, and to be within a team environment again.
What will 'winning' look like for you at the Games? For me personally, I have already won by being selected to represent Australia and travel to the Warrior Games. Being in a competitive environment again, with the support and encouragement of likeminded individuals through connection with other nations, and enjoying my overall experience, is the ultimate win for me.
Who is supporting you at the Games? I will have my mother and father travelling to Orlando to support me at the Games. If the Warrior Games are livestreamed, I will also have some family and friends back home cheering and supporting me.
