13 – 20 October 2024 is Veterans’ Health Week, and this year’s theme is all about keeping connected, aiming to “promote good health and wellbeing in the everyday lives of veterans and families,” while “shining a spotlight on the importance of social connectedness.” (Department of Veterans Affairs, 2024).  

When the defence community stays connected and engaged through sport, whether that be through participation, volunteering, coaching, mentoring, or simply spectating, it can help them to feel a sense of purpose and community, which can play a vital role in improving physical and mental wellbeing. That’s why this Veterans’ Health Week we are focusing on offering veterans and their families’ opportunities to get involved with sporting opportunities focused on connecting them into their local communities.  

Our frontline staff across Australia have curated a diverse range of opportunities to mark Veterans’ Health Week, providing veterans and their families the opportunity to take part in activities, alongside other defence community members in their local areas. From friendly competitions to social gatherings, these activities aim to foster a sense of belonging and support among the defence community.  

To view all the Veterans Health Week events we’ll be at, head to our events page, and see below for a preview of what to expect.  

parkrun

This year marks three years of collaborating with our Sporting Partner parkrun to promote Team Veteran, both organisations aiming to improve health and well-being for veterans and their families. 

Each week across Australia there are hundreds of veterans and their families that participate in parkruns, leading to the creation of Team Veteran, established by Invictus Australia. This parkrun group is open for any veteran or family member to join, once they have registered with parkrun using this link.  

This Veterans Health Week, Invictus Australia representatives will be attending various parkrun events across Australia, giving away a total of 1,000 free Team Veteran shirts. For your chance to get your hands on one of these shirts, you will need to have joined Team Veteran (AU) on your parkrun profile and attend one of the Parkrun events listed below. Limited shirts available per site, first in best dressed. Team Veteran shirts can also be purchased from our online store here. 

The Invictus Australia team will be at the below parkruns this October!

Gaming and Esports

For the first time, we are teaming up with Sporting Partner Veteran Gaming Australia to provide gaming opportunities that are designed to keep the community connected during Veterans Health Week.  

According to Veteran Gaming Australia’s founder, Samuel Harris, getting the defence community to give gaming a go perfectly aligns with this year’s theme:  

“This year’s Veteran Health Week theme, ‘Keep Connected,’ emphasises the vital importance of social connections. Gaming and esports provide a dynamic platform to enhance communication, teamwork, and camaraderie. We are excited for the opportunities these Veteran Health Week events, in collaboration with Invictus Australia, will bring in helping Veterans strengthen their social bonds, improve their health, and boost overall wellbeing.”  

Thanks to the Department of Veterans Affairs, our Veteran Engagement Managers across the country now have the equipment they need to host gaming activities in their local area. Beginning during Veterans health week, these events will help to immerse the community in the sport of gaming, ahead of the development of a future e-sports league, in partnership with Australian Esports League (AEL).  

To find out about these events, and sign up, head to your local Facebook page.  

NSW Defence Community Sport Expo 

We are bringing our Defence Community Sport Expo to the NSW defence community this Veterans’ Health Week. Expos are designed to provide a safe, inclusive and welcoming place for veterans and family members to connect with sporting organisations and ex-service organisations, as well as other members of their local defence community.  

From lawn bowls to tennis, gaming to face painting, there will be something for all members of the defence community, no matter their age, sporting ability or interest.  
 
Jye Martyn, Veteran Engagement Manager (Northern NSW), shares, 

“We can’t wait to gather the defence community for the upcoming Expo. The day is focused on collaboration, community and sport, shining a light on the positive impact of the power of sport on the overall wellbeing of our defence community.” 

To register your attendance, click here.  

True Grit fever hits WA 

The WA community will be kicking off Veterans’ Health Week strong, as they compete in True Grit. Team Veteran will be there ready to tackle the course on the 13^th of October, 2024. 

Invictus Australia, will provide 10 x free tickets per event for members of Team Veteran, then a 10% discount for additional team members.  

Invictus Australia local Engagement Manager Hannah Laws will be the point of contact for the team on the day. This opportunity is open to Australian veterans – former & current serving. To find out more information, join the WA Facebook Group. 

If you’re looking for something different, check out our events page, or join your local facebook group, as there are a range of events around the country including pickleball, yoga, indoor rowing, bowls and more. We look forward to getting active and keeping connected with you this Veterans Health Week.  

Read more:

• WA Defence Community Sport Expo: Fostering community and wellbeing through sport
• Veterans show true grit this Veterans’ Health Week as mental wellness matters

Our Veteran Engagement team runs events such as these across the country each day. To keep up to date with what is happening in your area, join your local Facebook group. 

• ACT Local Facebook group
• SA Local Facebook group
• Sth East QLD Facebook group
• Nth QLD Facebook group
• Nth NSW Local Facebook group
• NSW Sth Coast Local Facebook group
• Victoria Facebook group
• WA Facebook group
• TAS Facebook group

About Invictus Australia: Invictus Australia encourages veterans and their families to connect and engage with their communities through sport. Whether participating or volunteering at grassroots level, to competing internationally at an Invictus or Warrior Games, Invictus Australia leverages the power of sport to proactively foster good health and aid in recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration. Invictus Australia promotes the physical, social and emotional benefits of sport for all, and shine a light on the unique needs of younger veterans, particularly the challenges associated with transitioning from military to civilian life.