Home Latest News Australia unveils veteran team for Invictus Australia Sports Festival 2026, presented by ATCO Latest News Share Australia unveils veteran team for Invictus Australia Sports Festival 2026, presented by ATCO --> September 24, 2026 Share Australia unveils veteran team for Invictus Australia Sports Festival 2026, presented by ATCO As Perth prepares to host the inaugural Invictus Australia Sports Festival 2026, presented by ATCO, Australia has selected its team of 30 veteran competitors who will take part in the two‑day multisport event. Invictus Australia announced the team on Friday alongside The Hon. Matt Keogh MP, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, and several Western Australian team members at Scarborough – the iconic beach that will host swimming and indoor rowing during the festival. Held in Australia for the first time, the Invictus Australia Sports Festival 2026 will take place across Perth from 23–25 October, using adaptive sport to support recovery and connection. The Festival forms part of Invictus Australia’s broader work to create more opportunities for recovery through sport, connecting international adaptive sporting experiences with year-round pathways for veterans and families across Australia. A proud Western Australian, Minister Keogh congratulated the competitors on their selection. “It’s so exciting to see Invictus Australia expand competitive opportunities for veterans as they continue to unite the community through their grassroots programs. Competitions like this enable veterans to challenge themselves in completely new ways. THE HON Matt Keogh MP Minister for Veterans’ AFFAIRS and Defence Personnel “This project will create stronger regional ties, giving veterans from Australia, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea the opportunity to connect and have a lot of fun… and where better to do it than on the west coast – the best coast!”, the Minister said. Across the weekend, competitors will take part in both individual and team sports, with events moving from Scarborough Beach to Perth’s High Performance Centre on Sunday for pickleball and sitting volleyball. Among the team are eight Western Australians, who will have the rare opportunity to compete in front of family and friends at home. Supported by her two children at Friday’s announcement, Australian Army veteran and grandmother Kirsten Funston spoke about the impact sport continues to have on her recovery from both physical and invisible injuries. Sport has had, and is having, such a profound impact on my physical, mental and social wellbeing. It has allowed me to interact with others, lose weight, get fitter, and forget everything in my head and just be in the moment when I am playing sports”. Kirsten funston Competitor at the INvictus australia Sports festival 2026, Presented by atco “Even if I am having a bad moment, as soon as I am on the court or field playing, I no longer have to hide and I am able to refocus on the game at hand,” she said. Sport has always been central to the life of Australian Army veteran Pete Miller, who moved to Perth in 2024. A father and school teacher, Peter gravitated toward team sports when growing up, for the sense of belonging and camaraderie they offered. Today, he plays sledge hockey for enjoyment, but also to support his recovery from a spinal injury. “Since my injuries, sport has taken on an even greater meaning, and it has become an important part of my rehabilitation,” Pete said. “Being around people who are motivated, resilient and determined to challenge themselves encourages me to do the same. When you surround yourself with people who believe in their own ability to improve and overcome challenges, that attitude becomes contagious. It makes you want to push yourself, set new goals and become a better version of yourself. Congratulating the team on their selection, Invictus Australia Director of Teams, Pathways and Alumni, Adam Pine OAM OLY, said the Sports Festival was part of a broader effort to create more sporting opportunities for veterans at every stage of service. “This Festival is one part of a much broader approach to veteran wellbeing through sport. Our role is to create pathways to give veterans opportunities to participate when and where they need them – whether on the international stage, like this event, or in their local communities” Adam said. “We congratulate every member of the Australian team on their selection. For veterans who rely so heavily on their loved ones throughout their recovery journeys, competing at a home festival with their families watching on is a rare and deeply meaningful experience, marking a special moment in their lives,. he said. Team Australia at the Invictus Australia Sports Festival 2026 is proudly Presented by Austability, who are helping to create meaningful sporting opportunities for Australian veterans and their families as part of their ongoing recovery and connection through sport. The festival will feature a range of adaptive sports including indoor rowing, pickleball, swimming and sitting volleyball, highlighting the spirit of competitors as they represent their nations and support one another on and off the field of play. ENDS About the Invictus Australia Sports Festival, presented by ATCO The Invictus Australia Sports Festival 2026, presented by ATCO will take place in Perth from 23-25 October, bringing together competitors, families, friends and volunteers for two days of adaptive sport, connection and recovery. At its core are 60 wounded, injured and ill service personnel and veterans from Australia, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea, competing across Indoor Rowing, Pickleball, Sitting Volleyball and Swimming. The Festival, supported by the Invictus Games Foundation, reflects the Invictus Movement’s commitment to extending the impact of sport beyond the Invictus Games by creating additional recovery pathways for defence communities worldwide. In the Indo‑Pacific region, it builds on Invictus Australia’s grassroots and adaptive sport programs, expanding opportunities for veterans and families while strengthening international partnerships. About Team Australia – Invictus Australia Sports Festival 2026 Fast facts: Event Name: Invictus Australia Sports Festival 2026, presented by ATCO Date: 23-25 October 2026 Location: Perth, Australia Sports contested: Indoor Rowing, Swimming, Sitting Volleyball, Pickleball Number of competitors: 30 Oldest Team Australia competitor: 61 – Cindy Chawner Youngest Team Australia competitor: 30 – Callan McLean Competitors come from all branches of the ADF Eight (8) competitors hail from host state, Western Australia Learn more about Team Australia here . Media Contact Nina Willoughby| GoodPR | 0427 400 961 | nina@goodpr.com.au Stay up to date with the sporting events in your local community by joining your local Facebook group. Author Amie Pickering-Watts related stories Rodney ‘Rocket’ Cottam, Resilience Through Running News 9 February 2026 How Esports and Gaming empower Veterans like Mark Stories 30 October 2025 Brigid’s Story: The Lasting Legacy of Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Stories 27 October 2025 How Indoor Rowing is Helping Veterans Find Connection and Purpose Stories 23 October 2025 Follow Us Instagram Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube invictusaustralia View Sep 24 Open "How did it feel to be told you`d be competing for Team Australia"? We asked competitors what it means to be selected for the Invictus Australia Sports Festival 2026, Presented by ATCO. Team Australia is presented by @austability Here`s what they had to say. Meet Team Australia Tomorrow. ... 41 1 invictusaustralia View Sep 23 Open Over the weekend, Jamie Smyth (DoD Warrior Games 2024 and Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 alumnus) teamed up with fellow Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 alumnus Luke Manhire to take on the Adelaide City to Bay 12km Fun Run, for the third year running, raising funds for Invictus Australia and supporting the veteran community. To make the achievement even more impressive, Jamie and Luke completed the entire course in a wheelchair. If you`re inspired by Jamie, you can support his fundraiser and help create more opportunities for veterans and their families through sport. 🔗 Link in bio. Or if you`d like to set yourself your own challenge, our fundraising hub allows you to set your own goal and fundraise to support our work on your terms! 🔗 Link in bio. ... 71 5 invictusaustralia View Sep 22 Open Perth, the Invictus Australia Sports Festival 2026, Presented by ATCO, is coming. We`re excited to share a glimpse into what`s ahead as we count down to the Festival, set for 23rd - 25th of October, voiced by @Alicia_Molik from @9NewsPerth. Delivered with the support of @weareinvictusgames, and presented by @atcogroup, the Festival expands opportunities for recovery, connection and international adaptive sport across the Indo-Pacific. And we`re just getting started. 👀 Meet the team representing Australia soon. Stay tuned. ... 111 2 Newsletter Signup Invictus Community Invictus Games News & Stories Resources About Us Support Us Donate Contact Us FAQs Privacy Policy Governance
Curated by Taleb Kabbara · Source: invictusaustralia.org