Corporal sean barry

DoD Warrior Games 2024 Team Australia Competitor

ADF service: I joined the Royal Australian Air Force Reserves in 1999 as a Motor Transport Driver. I transferred to the regular Air Force and was posted to Townsville in 2002 before posting to Tindal. In 2016 I deployed to the Middle East as part of Operation Okra.

My career highlights include working with the Classic Hornets and retiring them out of service at 75 Squadron.

I am currently posted to the School of Technical Training in Wagga Wagga.

Other information: My nickname is “Gunnie” or “Baz”. I am married with two children - Jack (12) and Abby (10).

Age: 44

Hometown: Townsville, Queensland

Current town: Wagga Wagga, New South Wales

Competing in: Archery, shooting and wheelchair rugby.

What is the nature of your injury or illness? I have a back injury.

Sport background: I have competed in shooting in multiple disciplines including single action (cowboy), combined service rifle and sporting clays.
I am in the Australian Bowhunters Association and do field archery with Wagga Wagga Field Archers.

What role has sport played in your rehabilitation? I didn’t start archery to assist with my rehabilitation but, once I started, the drive for improvement led to goal setting which overlapped with rehabilitation. The inclusiveness of the local club has been fantastic. I started with my son and the club is really trying to build from grass roots. The sport requires a high degree of relaxation and repetitiveness to achieve the shot, so you need to clear the mind and hold the bow and focus on the target. This skill is great in mindfulness and can be utilised in high stress environments.

How did you feel when you were told you made the Warrior Games team? Grateful I have been given such an opportunity.

What is your greatest achievement to date? Mysuccessful marriage and kids.

Why did you apply for Warrior Games? To assist with my recovery by having something to prepare for and work towards.

What will “winning” look like for you at the Games? Attending is a win, as is doing the best I can in sports and promoting sports as a mechanism to assist with rehabilitation.

Who is supporting you at the Games? My wife and kids will be attending, and my extended family will be watching from home. Hopefully plenty of others with injuries or illnesses will watch, which might encourage others to get involved in some form of sport.