The fifth Invictus Games was held in The Hague, between April 16th and 22nd 2022, after being postponed twice due to the Coronavirus.
59 competitors forming the United Kingdom Team included 17 RAF serving and veteran personnel; five of which were the UK Team Captain, Vice Captains, Archery team Captain and Swimming Captain.
Established by His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex in 2014, the Invictus Games capture the warrior spirit of wounded serving and veteran personnel along their journey of recovery, testing their inspirational resilience, strength, and determination through adversity in a range of different sports.
Congratulations to all those who took part in the Invictus Games at The Hague. The Games brings together wounded, injured, and sick serving and veteran personnel from all over the world, and helps them along their journey of recovery and rehabilitation.
Veteran Rachel Williamson – Team UK Captain
- Discus Athletics
- Indoor Rowing
- Swimming
A life-changing injury left Veteran Rachel Williamson without the mobility of one arm and low confidence.
"So far, my recovery journey has taken me from rock bottom to laying down a new foundation. This year I aim to build the new me and take the final step to where I want to be. I’ve accepted my injury, learnt I can let my emotions go and not be embarrassed or afraid about asking for help which I couldn’t have done without the help of Team UK this last year."
Veteran Kelly Leonard – Team UK Vice Captain
- Cycling
- Indoor Rowing
- Swimming
- Wheelchair Basketball Squad
- Wheelchair Rugby Squad
Former RAF Corporal Kelly Leonard was always involved with competitive sports before her injuries caused a loss of confidence and self-belief. Kelly worked throughout the Pandemic with the NHS paediatric physiotherapy team, while home schooling her children.
"They have empowered me to achieve the best I can be. The Invictus UK Trials was a turning point in my life…I have started to believe in myself and was proud to show my children, who have never seen me without disability, that with self-belief you can accomplish anything. I have dreamt of representing my country at the highest level, something I thought would never be a part of my life again."
Corporal David Morris - Team UK Vice Captain
- Discus Athletics
- Swimming
Corporal David Morris is a serving RAF Corporal due to retire from the military after a 22-year long career. However, PTSD following an incident as a Survival Equipment Specialist with the Red Arrows left David with great trauma. David’s brother, Antony, also competed at the Games.
"The power of the Invictus Games is hard to describe to people; it has to be seen to be believed. The benefits have dramatically changed my way of life and how I cope with situations in general…I’m so lucky to have been given this second chance at life and it’s thanks to the Invictus team, my coaches, Help for Heroes, Royal British Legion and my amazing family and friends. Without them, this would not be possible.”
Veteran Sally Renard – Swimming Captain
- 400m Athletics
- 1500m Athletics
- Indoor Rowing
Former RAF Corporal, Sally Renard suffered an injury whilst serving in Afghanistan. Following hip operations and the loss of her father, the Games regained her motivation and positivity, as well as confidence to start teaching swimming again.
"I see being selected for the Invictus Games The Hague 2020 as the beginning of my journey not the end. It will give me the confidence and drive to continue to seek new challenges and ambitions beyond my present comfort zone. I sometimes crave the opportunity to help others and I believe this is the area I can focus on to help my recovery. I want to be able to help others who are experiencing the scenarios that I have faced. I am witnessing at first hand the benefits that sport, and teamwork, can have on my personal recovery journey."
Squadron Leader Sherry McBain – Archery Captain
- Archery
- Sitting Volleyball Squad
Squadron Leader Sherry McBain is currently serving in the RAF as the Deputy Officer Commanding Nursing at Joint Hospital Group South. The Invictus Games has allowed Sherry to regain focus and self-respect, following four abdominal surgeries, one carpal tunnel operation, and severe PTSD.
"Having withdrawn from everything I loved as a consequence of PTSD, I want to challenge myself both physically and mentally to compete at international level. To compete at such a prestigious event, representing my Country, Service and Branch would be a dream come true and a unique lifetime experience. I would like my family and friends to be proud of me, to know I have done everything in my power to recover and survive PTSD; no longer allowing it to rule my life."
Veteran Laura Powell
- 100m Athletics
- 200m Athletics
- Indoor Rowing
- Mid-weight Powerlifting
Veteran Laura Powell has survived cancer twice, but her motivation and self-confidence plummeted as a result. Being part of the Invictus family allows her to thrive with a sense of purpose and passion, as part of a team.
"The way I felt following the Trials was incredible and acted as a springboard for me. It’s given me a desire to get my spark back through sport. Since my illness, I’ve been trapped in a vicious cycle but I feel that sport is helping to break it and push me along on my road to recovery."
Veteran Daniel Tasker
- 400m Athletics
- 1500m Athletics
- Long Jump Athletics
- Cycling
Former Corporal Daniel Tasker was ‘broken’ after being medically discharged from the RAF when he lost the use of his left arm.
"The people that I have met during the Invictus UK Trials and training camps have taught me to trust in people and friendships again. I have met some truly inspirational people who have taught me that I can overcome my limitations; they shouldn't be allowed to hold me back any longer. It is helping me to rebuild my confidence."
Veteran David Anderson
- Archery
- Heavy-weight Powerlifting
- Wheelchair Basketball Squad
- Wheelchair Rugby Squad
Veteran David Anderson is a former RAF Junior Technician. He hopes the Games will allow him to reconnect with his family; something which has been missing since injury.
"My partner said that I am not the same as when we met. She said the smile in my eyes has gone. I want to bring me back to both her and my children. I want to be the person I used to be. My physical injuries I manage, as much as I can, but I feel constantly lonely, sad and struggle to get out of the house. It is only recently I have come to realise how depressed I was due to how much better I feel when I attend things like training camps."
Veteran Stephen Ashcroft
- Indoor Rowing
- Heavy-weight Powerlifting
Stephen was injured by an Improvised Explosive Device in Afghanistan. This left him wheelchair bound, and severely lacking confidence or motivation to focus on his potential rather than his limitations. A friend suggested Stephen attend an Invictus Games training camp, reigniting his optimism and determination to succeed; training rigorously and even completing his PhD in crop genetics.
"As a soldier, it was commonplace for friends and family to consider me as strong and resolute, willing to tackle anything head on, without question. I possessed a conviction that I took into battle, knowing that I was superior to my enemies. However, after my injuries, this confidence was lost. Since being involved in Invictus though, my world has changed significantly. A flame of motivation has been lit which forces me to challenge myself physically, in ways that I thought had long since passed."
Veteran Anthony Booth
- Archery
- Sitting Volleyball Squad
- Wheelchair Basketball Squad
Veteran Anthony Booth, a former Warrant Officer, isolated himself from sporting and social occasions following his PTSD and injury. However, Tony receives great support and encouragement both from his Invictus family and wife, who despite suffering a stroke, has continued to love and support him.
Veteran Charlie Dye
- Shotput Athletics
- Indoor Rowing
- Swimming
Veteran Charlie Dye was a RAF Firefighter before his surgery went wrong. Sports soon coaxed him out of isolation, empowering him to venture outdoors again and rediscover the man he used to be.
Veteran Paul Hartley
- Cycling
- Wheelchair Rugby Squad
Former Flight Sergeant, Paul 'Midge' Hartley lives with Spastic Paraplegia; a rare degenerative condition causing severe lower limb weakness and muscle spasms.
“I am fully committed to continuing my personal recovery journey beyond the Invictus Games in 2022 as I have found the whole process uplifting and highly beneficial. I am keen to continue my involvement for as long as my condition allows, which includes attending the training camps provided through the Help for Heroes Sports Recovery programme.
Veteran Gareth Nennis
- Archery
- Mid-weight Powerlifting
Veteran Gareth Nennis, served as an RAF Electric Technician before a car accident left him in hospital for over a year with a brain injury. Determined not to let this limit him, he has fought to regain independence, speech and movement. With support from Help for Heroes and his family, Gareth’s strength improved – although he is unable to operate his left side fully.
"The biggest change is being around people – not just ‘people’ but the military family. Everyone is so supportive. They have patience and understanding and encourage me to push myself. When I am with other people it helps my speech to improve and I am beginning to feel that I can cope in new situations, so my social skills are already developing."
Veteran Lucy Holt
- Shotput Athletics
- Indoor Rowing
- Heavy-weight Powerlifting
- Wheelchair Basketball Squad
Veteran Lucy Holt is a former Senior Aircraftsman was a keen netball player before a serious ankle injury required several surgeries. The Invictus Games opened Lucy to new sports that combatted her low mood.
Lucy kept busy working for the NHS during the Pandemic, and even earned her teaching qualifications to work with disabled children. She continues to train harder than ever.
Veteran Nathan Huddy
- Indoor Rowing
- Mid-weight Powerlifting
- Swimming
Veteran Nathan Huddy was a RAF Regiment Gunner before a landmine blast in Iraq injured his left foot. Nathan also suffered a demobilising stroke and saw his daughter undergo heart surgeries, and a diagnosis of dwarfism and autism. This along with depression caused great pressure on his marriage, leading it to breakdown and Nathan’s mental health to spiral.
The Invictus Games inspired Nathan to contact Help for Heroes.
"Since starting my journey I’ve opened up more to my partner and family which has helped massively and I’m feeling less angry and frustrated. From the moment of my first training camp through to the Invictus UK Trials, I was overwhelmed with the team spirit, support and encouragement. It blew me away how everyone was there for each other willing them on to do their best. That camaraderie and friendship was exactly what I loved and missed about being in the forces and Help for Heroes and Team UK has given that back to me."
Veteran Clare Keating
- Indoor Rowing
- Heavy-weight Powerlifting
Veteran Clare Keating is a former Senior Aircraftwoman, wife, mother, and will soon be completely blind due to a genetic condition. Clare finds escape, stoking the fire in her stomach, through training and singing with the Help for Heroes choir.
"I have a purpose and a goal that I’m trying to achieve. I realised at the Invictus UK Trials that my disability does not define me. It is just a small part of who I am. My prognosis isn’t good, but this has taught me that life goes on."
Veteran Antony Morris
- 100m Athletics
- Indoor Rowing
- Mid-weight Powerlifting
Veteran Antony Morris was discharged from the RAF under health issues, as his injuries and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome left him exhausted, in pain and unable to concentrate.
"The Games have motivated me to leave the house and meet new people on a regular basis, as well as build an online support network of other competitors. They have even given me the confidence to pursue new career opportunities; trying new sports opened my mind to other new things too. My family have noticed a difference; my mood and motivation is improving and I’ve pushed myself harder, even managing to support my youngest riding a bike (almost impossible several years ago)."
Antony’s brother David also competed at the Games as the Team UK Vice Captain.
You can see more on Invictus Games Foundation.
