tricia reynolds

Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 Competitor

ADF service: I joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1999 and was medically discharged in 2020. For the majority of my career, I was a Military Working Dog Handler. I deployed to the Middle East twice, Afghanistan and Timor-Leste. I was also lucky enough to participate in exchanges to both New Zealand with the Royal New Zealand Air Force and United Kingdom/Cyprus with the Royal Air Force.  

Other information: I’m married to Harvey, we have a cat called Winston who is (still) plotting world domination, and my assistance dog, Elke. I work part-time for an organisation called Dogs for Life, where I place assistance dogs with people who have all types of disabilities, ranging from epilepsy, to PTSD, to people confined to wheelchairs. The work is very rewarding and, of course, the dogs always make your day better. I was fortunate enough to have been selected to represent Australia at Warrior Games earlier this year.  

Age: 46 

Hometown: Glenalta, SA 

Current town: Canberra, ACT 

Competing in: Alpine skiing, indoor rowing, skeleton, and wheelchair basketball. 

What is the nature of your injury or illness? Due to the physically demanding aspects of being a dog handler, I had a hip replacement at age 39, which was unfortunately performed incorrectly. I had to learn to walk again as the surgery had caused numerous complications. With the help of an Alter G treadmill and an amazing physio, I was able to walk unaided after months of intense rehab. Unfortunately, I was never able to return to full-time work due to the damage sustained during the surgery. I had my second hip replacement in 2020, but still experience significant issues from the trauma caused to the area.  

Sport background: Growing up, I was heavily involved in playing lacrosse and basketball. I took up Muay Thai kickboxing while living in Newcastle, and the thrill of fighting is something I cannot put into words. My greatest sporting moment would be my first kickboxing fight in front of a home crowd, walking out to my song (Nine Inch Nails for those playing at home) and having the crowd go wild! I found archery in 2021, after realising my hip injury would preclude me from doing many of the sports I used to love competing in. 

What role has sport played in your rehabilitation? Archery got me back out into the community and able to compete in sporting events again, something I was missing. The Adaptive Sports Program introduced me to wheelchair basketball and it’s great being part of a team yet again. I’ve recently taken up snow skiing, in preparation for Invictus Games. My husband would ask why I can’t take up any cheaper sports, but they just aren’t as fun! 

Why did you apply for Invictus Games? The team tracksuit, of course! The Adaptive Sports Program has pushed me to try new things I didn’t think my body was capable of. Invictus is a culmination of putting these newfound skills together and doing it with some amazing friends by my side.  

Who is supporting you at the Games? My husband, Harvey, and my Mum, Raelene, will accompany me to Canada. My Dad, Neville, will be supporting me from home. Winston and Elke will be leaving their carers small ‘presents’ each day as a show of support for me, I’m sure.