Team Australia Gears Up for Invictus Games Düsseldorf with Uniform Reveal and Final Training Camp
As the excitement builds for the upcoming Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023, Team Australia has taken a momentous step towards the international event by unveiling their official team uniform at the Academy of Sport and Recreation Narrabeen. The reveal showcased the multiple pieces to be worn across 10 sports during the global adaptive sports event taking place this September 9th – 16th.
The reveal was a highlight of the final training camp where competitors had the chance to come together, fine-tune their skills, bond as a team and plan for the future, post-Games.
The Team Australia uniform encompasses both the ceremonial tracksuit and the competition wear tailored for the various sports in which competitors will participate.
The uniform pieces were modelled by Sport Captains including Ryan Kelly (archery), Ainsley Hooker (athletics), Brad Mazzaferri (cycling), Shaun Hillman (indoor rowing), Erin Brigden (powerlifting), Francine Dudfield (Sitting Volleyball), Karl Woodward (swimming), Stephen Lockwood (table tennis), and Lenny Redrose (wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby). The team showcased not just the attire but the unity and determination that define Team Australia.
According to Athletic Captain Ainsley Hooker, “Having a a good quality uniform and gear makes us all stand out, we can move well, it’s wonderful.”
The competition wear was designed and provided by Belgravia Apparel, the official uniform and merchandise supplier for Invictus Australia, as well as the supplier for the Australian Paralympian Team & The Diamonds Netball Team, amongst other well-known teams. The kit is designed to optimise performance, providing the competitors with comfort and functionality to excel in their respective events. The fabric used is lightweight and breathable, ensuring that competitors can perform at their best, while looking their best.
If you would like to support Team Australia and purchase your own spectator merch, you can do so here.
a gift from the heart
The weekend also saw a heartwarming gesture from Aussie Hero Quilts. The team received personalised laundry bags, lovingly hand-stitched and tailored to reflect each competitor’s sport and personal information. Accompanied by heartfelt handwritten notes, these gifts brought tears of joy, further solidifying the bond between competitors and supporters.
unconquered together beyond the games
Amidst the physical preparation, the training camp also emphasised the importance of mental and emotional wellbeing. A session with Open Arms Veterans and Families Counselling, the ADF Psychologist, and IA (Invictus Australia) centered around life “Beyond the Games.” While the Invictus Games serve as a pivotal step in recovery and reintegration, it’s vital to have a plan for continued support and connection post-event. This collaborative dialogue encouraged competitors, staff, and coaches to prioritise holistic wellbeing, underscoring the transition to normalcy after the Games can present unique challenges.
a wheeling digger for life
The training camp was a showcase of the diverse sports that the athletes will participate in during the Invictus Games. Powerlifting, Athletics, Archery, Table Tennis, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby, Indoor Rowing, Swimming, and Sitting Volleyball were among the disciplines on display. A special highlight was a practice match between Team Australia and the Sutherland Sharks Wheelchair Basketball team, featuring Invictus Games Alumni from the previous year’s event – Chris O’Brien, Joel Vanderzwan and Peter Miller. The game was a true testament to the enduring bonds formed through competition and the shared experience of overcoming adversity – once a ‘Wheeling Digger’, always a Wheeling Digger.
According to competitor Francine Dudfield,
The team have really come together well. Everyone is really supportive, everyone’s great mates, people are catching up outside of team camps and we’re all connecting through social media so it’s just been a really lovely experience getting to know people and the team have come together really , really well.”
As the training camp came to a close, with just 30 days remaining until the Opening Ceremony, Team Australia, supported by the ADF and Invictus Australia, stands poised to make their mark on the Invictus Games Düsseldorf. This event isn’t just about winning medals; it’s a celebration of the resilience, determination, and unity that define these remarkable veterans. The training camp captured the essence of their journey, their stories of triumph over adversity, and their commitment to pushing beyond limits.
Go Team Australia! The nation stands behind you, inspired by your unwavering spirit, and eagerly anticipating the remarkable achievements you will undoubtedly accomplish at the Invictus Games Düsseldorf.
The Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023 presented by Boeing, scheduled from September 9 to 16, will bring together 500 competitors from 22 nations to compete in 10 individual and team adaptive sporting events. Team Australia, comprising 31 serving and former serving ADF personnel, along with over 80 of their family and friends, is set to make their mark on the world stage.
About Invictus Australia:
Invictus Australia is the NFP responsible for organising the Invictus Games Sydney 2018. We carry on the legacy of the Games every day in local communities, as all veterans and their families can benefit from involvement with sporting communities, particularly ‘at risk’ veterans. As well as promoting the physical, social and emotional benefits of sport, Invictus Australia shines a light on the unique needs of younger veterans and the challenges they face as they transition from military to civilian life. Find out more at www.invictusaustralia.org
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