nigel coutts
DoD Warrior Games 2024 Team Australia Competitor
ADF service: I joined the Army in May 1995 as part of the Royal Australian Infantry Corps and was posted to 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment for eight years. I transferred to the Special Air Service Regiment in 2003 and served there for 17 years.
I did multiple deployments overseas, including Iraq, Afghanistan and East Timor. I discharged in September 2020 with 25 years’ service under my belt.
Other information: I am retired and volunteer at ‘Connected By’ helping veterans and first responders. My father is a Vietnam veteran and my grandfather was a pilot flying Spitfires in World War II.
Age: 48
Hometown: Palmerston North, New Zealand
Current town: Perth, Western Australia
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? I have multiple injuries from head to toe. I was involved in two Improvised Explosive Devices in Afghanistan, so there are about 21 chapters to my story. I have injuries to my head, ribs, pelvis, spine and legs, and have many steel implants and pins throughout my body.
Sport background: I grew up playing rugby union, basketball, rugby league, cycling, swimming, snowboarding and surfing. I don’t compete anymore due to my physical injuries.
What role has sport played in your rehabilitation? Sport has been, and continues to be, a big part of my rehabilitation. This will be ongoing and I know it will help in the long term as I grow and continue in life.
How did you feel when you were told you made the Warrior Games team? Stoked! I was over the moon.
What is your greatest achievement to date? Being selected for the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) and being able to help vulnerable people who couldn’t fight for themselves. I tried to make this a better world in which to live.
Why did you apply for Warrior Games? After talking to other people who had been involved in the Adaptive Sports Program, I thought it would be a good thing to try. Once you try wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby, you are hooked.
What will “winning” look like for you at the Games? Friendship, camaraderie, teamwork, blood, sweat, tears and competing for Australia with a lot of fun times.
Who is supporting you at the Games? My wife and two daughters will be joining me in Orlando.
