2018 Sydney Invictus Games

Reports

• Invictus Games Sydney 2018 - Game On Down Under Event Review, Australian International Military Games Limited, (2018). This report is a snapshot of the highlights of the Invictus Games Sydney 2018. It revisits some of the most inspiring moments and provides an analytical and data based overview of what we accomplished. Some key numbers included: 491 competitors from 18 nations; 1263 volunteers; 105,000 spectators; 10,000+ primary and secondary students attended; 16 assistance dogs. One of the key objectives for Invictus Games Sydney 2018 was to focus attention on the needs of our veterans as they transition to civilian life. Some key outcomes included:
  • Launching Veteran Sport Australia (VSA). The core principle of VSA is the health and wellbeing of our veterans. This program will encourage them to use the healing power of sport to engage with their community, whether at grassroots level or internationally.
  • The Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Education Project, developed and delivered nationally through the NSW Department of Education, provides a valuable educational opportunity centred on inclusivity, mental health, physical health, the unconquered human spirit and resilience. The resources, opens in a new tab will be available in schools for years to come.
  • The Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Outreach program was hosted during the Games and featured a wide array of informative and challenging discussions in the areas of employment, volunteering and health. During the program, we secured from a range of organisations, their commitment to work with veterans on education and training options and to support employment opportunities.
  • Community events. Between February 2018 and the Opening Ceremony in October, more than 2,200 community events were held. The Community Engagement team presented on average 12 times a week to community organisations.
  • Community perceptions. Research polls in December 2016 soon after the announcement that Sydney would host the Games; also in June 2018 and November 2018.
    • 9 out of 10 Australians fully support any program that will help veterans overcome physical injuries and mental health challenges and agree the Invictus Games can make a significant difference in the lives of veterans with physical injuries and mental health challenges.
    • 7 out of 10 Australians want to do their part to support wounded, injured and ill veterans.
    • There has been a 36% increase in the number of Australians aware of the Invictus Games in the 23 months from December 2016.
    • More than 8.7 million Australian adults followed the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 in some way: 39% followed on TV; 11% followed online and through social media.
    • The number of adults who would consider purchasing a product from a sponsor who supported Invictus Game Sydney 2018 more than doubled.
    • 93% of our volunteers and 90% of our subscribers say that based on their engagement with the Invictus Games the competitors are people they would like to work with.
    • A extremely high proportion of both groups (94% volunteers and 91% subscribers) are also now more likely to support initiatives that assist the recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration of servicemen and women than they were before the Invictus Games.
    • Seven in ten respondents (volunteers or subscribers) confirmed they now also have an improved understanding of Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) and mental health issues while six in ten plan to increase their involvement in sport and fitness activities as result of their Invictus Games experience.
    • Coverage extended across ABC’s TV channels, news network, extensive regional and metro radio networks and owned and third party digital. There were 105,000 spectators; 150+ hours coverage (ABC, BBC, CTV, TSN, SkyNZ, TVR, STB); 25.7M+ viewership.

Media

• Invictus Australia launches to continue the legacy of the Invictus Games Sydney 2018, opens in a new tab, Invictus Australia, (28 October 2021). Australia has achieved a world first with the launch today 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 is the legacy of the highly acclaimed Invictus Games Sydney 2018. Today marks 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.