Sport and physical activity
Australian programs that support veterans' wellbeing through participation and community engagement in sport and physical activity.
Australian programs that support veterans' wellbeing through participation and community engagement in sport and physical activity.
- Adaptive Sport Program, opens in a new tab, Invictus Australia, (accessed 27 August 2025). Working with the Australian Defence Force to deliver the national Program for veterans who are wounded, injured, or ill – including supporting the Australian Invictus Games and Warrior Games teams. Invictus Australia is responsible for the former serving contingent.
- Invictus Australia also partners with a range of sporting organisations, as well as the Australian Sports Commission, to help provide access to many sports for veterans and their families. This includes adaptive formats, with opportunities for participation, volunteering and spectating at both a grassroots and international level.
- True Grit, opens in a new tab, Invictus Australia, (accessed 27 August 2025). Invictus Australia has partnered with True Grit. renowned for its demanding obstacle course races, to provide opportunities for members of ‘Team Veteran’, to compete and challenge themselves at events around the nation.
- Archery, opens in a new tab, Invictus Australia, (accessed 27 August 2025). Information on archery as a sport for veterans, including collaboration with Archery Australia through the ‘VETS into Sport’ program.
- parkrun, opens in a new tab, Invictus Australia, (accessed 27 August 2025). Information on how veterans can get involved in walking and running through parkrun, a free 5km event held on Saturday mornings in local communities across Australia and the world. Invictus Australia established the 'Team Veteran Running Group' in 2019 and continues to work with parkrun to promote veterans and their families getting involved.
- Biathlon, opens in a new tab, Invictus Australia, (accessed 27 August 2025). Information on biathlon as a sport for veterans, including collaborating with organisations such as Biathlon East Australia and VESPA (Veterans and Emergency Services Parabiathlon Australia) to introduce veterans and their families to the sport.
- Bowls, opens in a new tab, Invictus Australia, (accessed 27 August 2025). Information on how veterans and their families can get involved in bowls through a partnership with Bowls Australia and initiatives such as ‘family days’ to try the sport and running a ‘NSW Regional Bowls Tour’.
- Cycling, opens in a new tab, Invictus Australia, (accessed 27 August 2025). Information on cycling as a sport for veterans, including mountain biking, road cycling, and BMX.
- Dragon Boating, opens in a new tab, Invictus Australia, (accessed 27 August 2025). Information on dragon boat as a sport for veterans, including collaboration with the Australian Dragon Boat Federation to promote the sport and the many benefits it provides.
- Esports, opens in a new tab, Invictus Australia, (accessed 27 August 2025). Information on esports as an activity for veterans, as well as plans to develop partnerships to provide competitive opportunities for veterans and their families.
- Pickleball, opens in a new tab, Invictus Australia, (accessed 27 August 2025). Information on pickleball as a sport for veterans, including working with Pickleball Australia to provide opportunities and pathways for veterans and their families, of all abilities to participate.
- Rowing, opens in a new tab, Invictus Australia, (accessed 27 August 2025). Information on rowing as a sport for veterans, including working with Rowing Australia on different initiatives to get veterans and their families rowing, such as the annual ANZAC Challenge between Australia and New Zealand and opportunities for veterans to get involved in Rowing Australia’s coaching structures.
- Battlefields to Footy Fields, opens in a new tab, National Rugby League (NRL), (accessed 27 August 2025). An NRL initiative providing nationally recognised training for current and ex-serving ADF members and their immediate family. The program provides an opportunity to hone newfound skills, make long lasting connections, and participate in something that gives a renewed sense of belonging.
- NRL providing support network through Battlefields to Footy Fields initiative, opens in a new tab, Cameron Mee, NRL.com, (23 April 2024). The Battlefields to Footy Fields program commenced by providing veterans with the opportunity to complete refereeing courses but has expanded significantly since its creation. Now, Defence Force personnel have the chance to engage in coaching and sports training courses while assistance is also provided to help children of veterans to play junior rugby league. More than 200 people have directly graduated from courses, with thousands benefiting from the Battlefield to Footy Fields initiative.
- Rugby League, opens in a new tab, Invictus Australia, (accessed 27 August 2025). Information on rugby league as a sport for veterans, including the Invictus Australia partnership with the NRL on the Batllefields to Footy Fields program.
- Rugby Union, opens in a new tab, Invictus Australia, (accessed 27 August 2025). Information on rugby as a sport for veterans, including non-contact sevens, fifteen-a-side, and wheelchair rugby.
- Sailing, opens in a new tab, Invictus Australia, (accessed 27 August 2025). Information on sailing as a sport for veterans and their families, including creating opportunities to participate through sailing clubs around Australia.
- Saltwater Veterans Sailing Project (SVSP),, opens in a new tab (accessed 27 August 2025). A registered Health Promotion Charity with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. SVSP is an affiliated club of Australian Sailing and operates a mobile Discover Sailing Centre. They work to empower veterans and their families by fostering meaningful impact and social connection through sailing.
- Surf Life Saving, opens in a new tab, Invictus Australia, (accessed 27 August 2025). Information on surf life saving for veterans, including working with Surf Life Saving Australia through initiatives such as having a Team Invictus Australia at the 2024 Lifesaving World Championships and establishing Club Open Days.
- Surfing, opens in a new tab, Invictus Australia, (accessed 27 August 2025). Information on surfing for veterans, including initiatives such as the Association of Veteran Surfers (AVS) and Waves of Wellness (WOW), a mental health and surf therapy charity.
- Table Tennis, opens in a new tab, Invictus Australia, (accessed 27 August 2025). Information on table tennis as a sport, including working with Table Tennis Australia to introduce this vibrant, skilful, and enjoyable sport to Defence communities nationwide.
- Water Polo, opens in a new tab, Invictus Australia, (accessed 27 August 2025). Information on water polo including working with Water Polo Australia to provide opportunities, pathways, encouragement and support for veterans and their families, of all abilities, to participate in the sport.
- Wheelchair sports, opens in a new tab, Invictus Australia, (accessed 27 August 2025). Brief information on wheelchair sports opportunities including playing rugby, basketball, or AFL at community, state or international levels.
- Yoga, opens in a new tab, Invictus Australia, (accessed 27 August 2025). Information on yoga as an activity for veterans and their families, including working with partners Frontline Yoga and local studios in communities across Australia to help provide access to trauma informed yoga classes, pathways for anyone interested in training to become a trauma-informed yoga teacher, and encouraging trauma-informed principles to be introduced to other sporting organisations.
