Lieutenant kirby watts

DoD Warrior Games 2024 Team Australia Competitor

ADF service: I joined the Army in 2018 as an Education Officer before transferring to the Royal Australian Navy as a Training Systems Officer earlier this year.

Other information: I live with my partner, Joe, my three children, Mia (17), Clive (9) and Fleur (10 months), and our sleepy 12-year-old staffy named Dizzee.

Age: 34

Hometown: Narooma, New South Wales

Current town: Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

Competing in: Ultimate champion. To earn the Ultimate Champion title, participants compete in their respective classifications in eight sporting events. The Ultimate Champion is the competitor who earns the most points in the eight events.

What is the nature of your injury or illness? In 2022, I was in a serious motor vehicle accident where I sustained multiple injuries to my leg which resulted in a permanent impairment. 

Sport background: Before I was injured, I played a variety of sports, including AFL (the national Army team and club level), ran marathons and did CrossFit. 

What role has sport played in your rehabilitation? Ever since my accident I have not been involved in sport. I have focused primarily on building the strength and range of motion in my leg, to allow me to walk and eventually return to AFL.

How did you feel when you were told you made the Warrior Games team? Stoked; proud as punch. It’s like I had a new lease on life.

What is your greatest achievement to date? Winning a marathon, my children and learning how to walk again.

Why did you apply for Warrior Games? To push myself out of my comfort zone and confront my demons after excluding myself from sport for so long.

What will “winning” look like for you at the Games? Standing with my teammates arm-in-arm. The sense of accomplishment in being able to compete at this level and attempting sports I thought I would never be able to do again.
Who is supporting you at the Games? My amazing partner, Joe, and our three children, Mia, Clive and Fleur. We get to celebrate our daughter’s first birthday at Disneyworld!