Invictus Games Foundation Announces New Beyond the Games Activities to Support Recovery Worldwide
The Invictus Games Foundation is proud to announce a new series of approved activities under it’s Beyond the Games programme, further strengthening recovery pathways for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans internationally.
Bringing together expertise from across the Invictus Community, the Programmes Advisory Board plays a vital role in reviewing and approving activities, ensuring the Foundation's support is directed towards initiatives that deliver meaningful, long-term impact.
The most recent approvals reflect the Foundation's dedication to supporting rehabilitation through sport and challenge worldwide, with programmes taking place in New Zealand, Australia, USA and particularly helping where the need is great in Ukraine.
Adaptive Grand Slam Cycling, New Zealand
In New Zealand, a team of UK and NZ wounded, injured and sick cyclists will attempt to cycle the length of the South Island over 11 days. They will cover 1400km with a maximum elevation of 2163m over the course of the challenge.
Additionally, training events will be held in the New Forest and Spain prior to team selection for UK applicants and an NZ-based IFMGA instructor will conduct selection for NZ applicants in New Zealand. The selected team will have a training plan delivered by the Adaptive Grand Slam (AGS) team.
Adaptive Grand Slam is a UK charity which operates worldwide and was founded by Martin Hewitt, a UK WIS, to develop WIS teams to tackle extreme expeditions. They aim to help WIS community members regain confidence, independence and meaningful occupation through using sport for recovery, as well as offering mentorship for individuals seeking employment.
Mount Kosciuszko Summit with Hari Budh Magar, Australia
Hari Budha Magar will summit Mount Kosciuszko alongside members of the Australian WIS community. Mount Kosciuszko is one of the Seven Summits, the highest mountain on each of the seven continents.
Hari Budha Magar is a Nepalese double above the knee amputee, former British Gurkha soldier and Afghanistan veteran. Following his injuries, Hari has become an internationally recognised adventurer and advocate, becoming the first double-above knee amputee to summit Mount Everest. He has undertaken a further range of endurance and mountaineering challenges with the aim of challenging perceptions of disability and inspiring others. This expedition will provide WIS taking part with the opportunity to challenge themselves and accelerate their recovery.
AFPST Ukraine Adaptive Snowsport Programme, Ukraine
Building on the success of the 2026 pilot programme, supported by the Foundation, the Armed Forces Para Snowsport Team (AFPST) will deliver another Adaptive Snowsport Programme in 2027. This will provide advanced training and mentorship to six Ukrainian instructors while delivering a week-long adaptive snowsport recovery programme for 25 Ukrainian WIS.
Funding has also been given for adaptive Nordic and biathlon equipment to support year-round participation and strengthen Ukraine’s long term adaptive snowsport infrastructure.
This programme, delivered in partnership with Bukovel Ski School, Lviv Nordic Ski School and StratCom UA, will increase Ukrainian ownership of delivery, helping to support capability to deliver future programmes in Ukraine.
AFPST Adaptive Winter Sports, USA
The AFPST will hold an adaptive winter sports event in Winter Park, Colorado, USA in which WIS from Canada, Colombia and the USA will be invited to take part. The event will culminate in an international competition between those who have taken part.
This event will provide opportunities for WIS that would not otherwise have had exposure to winter sports and will connect competitors to come together to train and compete as the Invictus Team at the AFPST Competition. This will demonstrate the restorative power of para-snow sport to accelerate the recovery of WIS personnel.
HART Games 2026, Ukraine
The HART Games will take place in Lviv, Ukraine and will bring together approximately 300 WIS veterans from across Ukraine, featuring competitions in a wide range of sports such as wheelchair basketball, archery, laser run or swimming. In addition, they will create opportunities to reconnect with peers and strengthen connections to the wider HART community.
HART is Ukraine’s national adaptive sport programme for WIS veterans, delivered by the NGO “Come Back Alive!”. The HART Games are the culmination of a year-round programme of adaptive sport camps, competitions and coach development activities designed to support recovery, social connection and long-term engagement in sport.
This event is supported by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine and a range of institutional and private partners including the Embassy of the Netherlands, Boeing, Ukrgasbank, EPAM and robota.ua.
What is the Programmes Advisory Board?
The Programmes Advisory Board supports the Board of Trustees and the Executive by providing guidance, oversight, and objective appraisal for IGF programmes and initiatives both during and beyond the Invictus Games. The Board reviews and approves grant proposals, advises on effective delivery and strategic planning, and ensures activities align with the Foundation’s global reach and support for the international WIS community. Acting as ambassadors for the Foundation, the Board also helps identify new recovery opportunities, sports initiatives, and fundraising activities to grow the Invictus Movement worldwide.