jamie smyth
Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 Competitor
ADF service: I joined the Army as part of the Royal Australian Artillery in April 2012 and became a missile number. I was posted to Woodside Barracks in Adelaide Hills before medically discharging in November 2016.
Other information: After leaving the Army I went back into sales, working for a large home builder in the north of Adelaide. Recently I went back into Defence working as a contractor.
Age: 35
Hometown: Adelaide, SA
Current town: Adelaide, SA
Competing in: Alpine skiing, indoor rowing, wheelchair basketball, and wheelchair rugby.
What is the nature of your injury or illness? I suffered an injury to my knee during a training incident which resulted in multiple surgeries which heavily impacted my mental health.
Sport background: I grew up playing Aussie rules, NRL, soccer, baseball and golf. Before enlisting in the Army, I was considering trying to pursue a career in golf. Currently I play wheelchair Aussie rules in the SANFL.
What role has sport played in your rehabilitation: Following my injury, I had to put a stop to the sports I loved. It wasn’t until I joined the University of South Australia Invictus Pathways Program in 2021 that I got back into sport and was introduced to wheelchair Aussie rules. It’s given me sport back, a competitive edge and a social group.
How did you feel when you were told you made the Invictus Games team? I applied for the Invictus Games in 2021 and was unsuccessful, so since then it’s been my goal to reach the Invictus Games. Blood, sweat and tears have gone into trying to better myself along the way both mentally and physically so when I received the email stating I made the Australian squad there was a huge proud sense of achievement knowing the work I put in paid off.
What is your greatest achievement to date? Firstly, my wife and kids. They’ve been huge supporters of me and given me the push. My most recent personal achievement was being part of Team Australia at the 2024 DoD Warrior Games in Florida. Being able to compete and have my kids watch me was pretty special.
Why did you apply for Invictus Games? Something to aim for and push towards. Each year it’s been a small gradual goal to keep getting better and improve myself in some way.
What will ‘winning’ look like for you at the Games? Being selected for the Australian team and being able to share the moment with the rest of the group on the international stage in front of our loved ones is what winning looks like for me.
Who is supporting you at the Games? My wife and 2 boys will be joining me again on this trip. My dad and step mum are looking at coming across if possible but if not, I will have everyone back home watching and cheering us on.
