What’s Happening?
Townsville Air Force veteran Pete O’Connell has been selected to represent Australia at the inaugural Invictus Australia Sports Festival in Perth.
Running from 23 to 25 October 2026, the festival will bring together serving and former Defence personnel affected by injury or illness.
O’Connell will compete alongside Team Australia against representatives from New Zealand and the Republic of Korea. The event also features community activities that support veterans and their families through sport.
Why It Matters?
For O’Connell, representing Australia carries personal significance, particularly after experiencing the benefits of international competition in Germany earlier this year.
His selection offers another opportunity to participate in an initiative that has helped veterans rebuild their confidence and sense of purpose.
Reflecting on what the opportunity means to him, O’Connell said:
“There was a mixture of feelings, I guess. I felt privileged and honoured to part of an inaugural event from an organisation that has a long track record of excellence in the veteran wellbeing space. Invictus as a concept has been up and running for some time and it has helped so many people to rediscover lost purpose and meaning. So, to be part of something they’re doing for the first time is a bit of a pinch me moment. I guess I almost don’t feel worthy of such an honour as well. There are so many people out there that are so perfectly suited to this concept. I guess Invictus Australia thinks I’m one of them, and for that I am immensely grateful. I was very fortunate to be selected as a member of Team Australia for the Invictus Sports Festival in Germany earlier this year, so I have first-hand experience with the profound and positive impact these opportunities bring.”
His selection also reflects the festival’s broader purpose, with sporting participation providing opportunities for recovery, rehabilitation and community connection.
Local Impact
Preparing for international competition in Townsville has helped O’Connell reconnect with his community after leaving the Australian Defence Force.
Although he has always maintained an active lifestyle, training for Invictus introduced him to group activities alongside veterans with similar experiences.
That change has been particularly meaningful, as he explained how his preparation has supported his recovery.
“As was the case with the Germany festival, my training and preparation has played a pivotal role in getting me back into community. I do a lot of exercise, always have. But since leaving the ADF it has all been individual based activities. Getting involved with Invictus through training for the games has forced me out of my comfort zone by training with others. It’s easy to become insular and withdrawn, which can often create a spiral into poor mental health. And as much as my individual training ticks all the boxes for my physical health, getting out and about and training with people on a similar journey with shared experience has provided me with a sense of community. Humans are instinctively tribal. But when we lose motivation or experience low mood we often go into our shell, which is rarely good for us. The team at Invictus know this and their mission is to build community, which for me has been profound.”
His experience highlights the importance of opportunities that help former Defence personnel maintain social connections beyond military service.
Meanwhile, North Queensland residents can support his participation through Invictus Australia’s Virtual Seat fundraiser, even if they cannot attend the festival.
By the Numbers
- 30 Australian competitors have been selected for Team Australia, including current and former serving Defence personnel recovering from injury or illness.
- Up to 60 competitors from Australia, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea will participate across four adaptive sporting disciplines.
- 34 of 122 recommendations from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide have been identified by Invictus Australia as areas where sport could support veteran wellbeing, recovery and community connections.
Zoom In
The festival will feature indoor rowing, pickleball, sitting volleyball and swimming, bringing competitors together across several sporting disciplines.
However, O’Connell believes the experience extends well beyond winning medals, particularly after witnessing the personal changes among participants in Germany.
When asked what he looks forward to most about competing against New Zealand and Korea, he said:
“I suspect you’ll hear this from most, if not all participants, and it sounds clichéd, but it is my truth. Just being there is winning. Having experienced this environment in Germany I literally watched people transform as the festival progressed. So many started the journey shy and unsure because they so often come from a phase of poor physical and/or mental health. Like me, so many have withdrawn from community and experienced the negative effect of that withdrawal. But it’s inspiring to watch their journey as they start to come alive through participation and support from fellow competitors and supporters. That’s what I’m looking forward to the most. Watching people heal through the power of community, as I continue on my own journey.”
Beyond the competitions, visitors will have opportunities to participate in sporting activities and meet organisations supporting veterans and their families.
The Community Sports Expo at Scarborough Beach will offer activities for people of different ages and sporting abilities.
Zoom Out
The inaugural festival was announced by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, during his recent visit to Australia.
Supported by the Invictus Games Foundation, the event creates additional international sporting opportunities between Invictus Games competitions.
It also strengthens connections between veteran communities across the Indo-Pacific while promoting physical activity as part of recovery.
Jason Bennetts, Invictus Australia’s Western Australia Veteran Engagement Manager, said the festival’s public activities would demonstrate how sport supports community connection.
“As a veteran myself, I know how important it is to find your people and feel part of a community. Sport has a way of breaking down barriers, bringing people together and creating connections that can make a real difference, which is what this Expo is designed to demonstrate.”
He also encouraged Perth residents to participate, regardless of their sporting experience.
“For the wider Perth community, this is a chance to come down, see firsthand the positive impact sport is having on veterans and their families, and have a go themselves. You don’t need any sporting experience, just come along, get involved and experience what makes this community so special.”
Through grassroots activities and international competitions, Invictus Australia continues supporting the wellbeing of serving and former Defence personnel and their families.
What To Look For Next?
The festival begins on Friday, 23 October, with public sporting competitions and community activities continuing across Perth throughout the weekend.
On Saturday, 24 October, indoor rowing begins at 9 am at Scarborough Beach Amphitheatre, followed by the Community Sports Expo at 10.30 am.
Visitors can try beach pickleball, rugby and indoor rowing while meeting veteran support organisations and festival partners. Food and beverage options will also be available.
Saturday’s public activities are free, with no tickets required. However, swimming at Scarborough Pool from 3 pm will be closed to spectators due to venue capacity restrictions.
Competition continues on Sunday, 25 October, at the Perth High-Performance Centre in Mount Claremont.
Pickleball runs from 9 am to 1 pm, followed by sitting volleyball from 2 pm to 5 pm, although schedules may change.
Sunday admission is also free, but spectators, including children, must book tickets in advance.
For North Queenslanders unable to travel, Invictus Australia’s Virtual Seat fundraiser offers another way to support O’Connell and Team Australia.
Supporters can purchase a Virtual Seat, row or corporate box, adding their names to the crowd cheering on competitors.
Contributions help fund Invictus Australia’s ongoing programs connecting veterans and their families through sport.
Residents can purchase a Virtual Seat here or visit the official festival website for further information.
