Invictus Australia

Oct 27, 2021
5 Min read
Beyond the Games

Australia has achieved a world first with the launch of Invictus Australia. Invictus Australia will be at the forefront of delivering sport recovery programs and services to improve the health and wellbeing of military veterans and their families, using sport as the primary vehicle. Invictus Australia, under licence from the Invictus Games Foundation, is the legacy of the highly acclaimed Invictus Games Sydney 2018. The launch marked the third anniversary of the closing of those Games.

Invictus Australia – previously known as Veteran Sport Australia – has signed a world first agreement with the international Invictus Games Foundation to continue to use the Invictus brand in Australia, with the primary aim of extending support and the power of the Invictus movement beyond the Games.

Through collaboration with sport, community and veteran organisations, Invictus Australia will deliver more opportunities for veterans and their families to engage in sport from grassroots participation through to international competition. The Invictus Games have demonstrated the power of sport to positively influence the recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration of current and former serving Defence veterans. This ideology will be used by Invictus Australia to a broader audience of veterans – there are an estimated 640,000 veterans in Australia.
The immediate priorities for Invictus Australia are to extend its reach to provide on the ground sport recovery services in all States and Territories across Australia, as well as support Team Australia in partnership with the Australian Defence Force to attend upcoming Invictus Games.

James Brown, Chairman of Invictus Australia, said:

“This is an important day for our Defence community in Australia. We witnessed incredible courage, determination and comradery when the Invictus Games landed on our shores in 2018. It brought attention to the challenges faced by our veteran community and a platform for those of us who support our Defence community to unite. The benefit of those Games continues today”

“At a time when the veteran community has faced challenges to their identity and seen mental and physical health issues grow in prominence, to the detriment of many, the Invictus movement provides a beacon of positivity and encouragement”

Michael Hartung, Chief Executive Officer of Invictus Australia, added:

“We are incredibly proud and honoured to be re-establishing the Invictus brand here in Australia, for the benefit of our Defence community. It is due to the success of Invictus Games Sydney 2018 and the hard work since to implement an effective and ongoing legacy that the Invictus Games Foundation has chosen Australia to pioneer the next frontier of the Invictus movement. Invictus means ‘unconquered’ and our motto is Unconquered Together. This is representative of the collaborative spirit sparked by Invictus and what can be achieved by working together. It is an exciting time and we are encouraging everyone to get involved”.

Chief Executive of the Invictus Games Foundation, Dominic Reid OBE, said he is proud to be taking this first step in expanding the Invictus model and hopes Invictus Australia will be the first of many international partnerships.

“In recent years, the Invictus Games Foundation has reflected on how best to continue to support its international community of wounded, injured and sick service men and women, in particular beyond the success of our global Invictus Games,” Mr Reid said. “We were delighted to be approached by Veteran Sport Australia, set up following the Invictus Games Sydney 2018, with a proposition to expand the Invictus model to boost the international impact Down Under. With its unique position as a long standing participating nation, a former host nation, and with a newly formed legacy organisation, Invictus Australia was born and the Invictus Games Foundation is excited to see how, through the power of sport and adventurous challenge, the Invictus community will continue to be Unconquered Together.”

For more information about Invictus Australia and to support the not-for-profit organisation, visit invictusaustralia.org.

More case studies

team UKR

Vasyl Kabal

Vasyl Kabal is a Ukrainian veteran and member of the Invictus community. After being wounded on the front lines of the conflict with Russia, Vasyl has embraced sport as part of his recovery and as a way to continue challenging himself.

While he still lives with the physical effects of his injuries, Vasyl speaks openly about the emotional impact of conflict, particularly the loss of friends and fellow soldiers. Those experiences have shaped his determination to make the most of every opportunity and continue moving forward.

Through the opportunities provided by the Invictus Games Foundation , Vasyl has connected with other veterans from around the world and found new ways to develop both physically and mentally.

He believes strongly in leading by example and showing other veterans that recovery can involve growth and new experiences and he recently completed a half marathon in Kenya as part of an Invictus Adventure.

Today, Vasyl is focused on representing Ukraine, embracing new challenges and encouraging other veterans to see what is still possible after injury and service.

Find out more
Team DEN

Dan Holmstad

Dan Holmstad served three tours in Afghanistan as a combat engineer in the Danish Armed Forces, leading patrols through areas threatened by improvised explosive devices.

Following his final deployment, he experienced challenges that took many years to overcome and began a long recovery journey.

Running and physical challenge became an important part of Dan’s recovery. Setting difficult goals helped him rebuild confidence and manage his mental health.

He soon began to regain a sense of purpose in everyday life and he is now back in work, spending more time with his family and continuing to take on new challenges.

Representing Team Denmark at the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 gave him the opportunity to be part of a team again and helped restore his confidence.

Dan proudly won silver at Vancouver Whistler 2025 and recently took part in our Invictus Adventure to Kenya, wanting to challenge himself and connect with other members of the community.

Find out more
Team NGR

Gloria Dimka

Gloria Dimka is a serving member of the Nigerian Air Force who became part of the Invictus Community after losing her leg below the knee in a road accident.

Following her injury, she began her recovery journey in the United Kingdom, where counselling helped her come to terms with the life-changing experience.

Determined not to let her injury define her future, Gloria chose to remain in the Air Force. She worked hard to prove that her disability would not prevent her from continuing to contribute and achieve her goals.

Sport became a key part of Gloria’s recovery and led her to compete at the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. The experience changed how she viewed herself, helping her recognise her own strength and potential while connecting with others from around the world.

Gloria took part in the Kenya Impact Marathon, completing a 10km challenge alongside other members of international Invictus Community, this was the longest distance she had walked since her accident.

She is resolved to keep pushing herself in her daily life.

Find out more
Team NGR

Peacemaker Azuegbulam

Peacemaker Azuegbulam is a Nigerian Army veteran who lost his left leg after sustaining injuries while serving in north-east Nigeria. Following his injury, he faced an uncertain future and spent a long period reflecting on how he could continue to support his family and find purpose in life.

Around a year later, Peacemaker discovered the Invictus Games and saw an opportunity to focus on what he could still achieve rather than what he had lost and sport became an important part of his recovery and helped him rebuild confidence and resilience.

His commitment led him to compete at the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023, where he won gold in powerlifting and became the first African competitor to win a medal at the Invictus Games.

Peacemaker has since dedicated time to supporting other wounded veterans in Nigeria, sharing his experiences and helping others navigate their own recovery journeys and has discovered music as creative outlet that helps him share his joy and passion for life.

He recently completed the Impact Marathon Kenya, embracing a completely new challenge and continuing to inspire others through his determination.

Find out more
Team UKR

Andrii Kucher

Andrii Kucher is a wounded Ukrainian veteran who was seriously injured while serving with the 79th Separate Air Assault Brigade during Russia’s invasion.

After five surgeries left him with limited movement in his arm, Andrii turned to sport as part of his own rehabilitation and found a new mission in supporting other wounded service personnel.

In 2023, he founded the Union of Wounded Military of Ukraine, Strong 300, which supports veterans through rehabilitation, legal assistance and sport.

Andrii has become an active member of the We Are Invictus Community, taking part in sporting events and encouraging other Ukrainian veterans to pursue recovery through sport.

He represented Ukraine at the London Marathon after being inspired by other members of the Invictus Community who competed there.

As head of Strong 300, he continues to advocate for wounded veterans and improve access to rehabilitation and sporting opportunities.

Through his own recovery and his work with Strong 300 and the Invictus Community, Andrii continues to demonstrate how sport can help wounded service personnel rebuild confidence, purpose and connection after injury.

Find out more