When Navy veteran Alex Hale was struck by a car and paralysed from the waist down, the future felt uncertain. The accident disrupted every routine, assumption and plan he and his family had in place. Within months, Alex found a path forward through adaptive sport, a pathway that reshaped his physical and mental recovery while strengthening the wellbeing of his entire family. His story showcases the role the Adaptive Sports Program plays in supporting the recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration of servicemen and women.
Delivered in partnership between the Australian Defence Force and Invictus Australia, the Adaptive Sports Program has opened Expressions of Interest for its next Team Australia intake ahead of the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027.
The Adaptive Sports Program is designed as a structured and evidence informed pathway that supports the recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration of current and former serving veterans who are wounded, injured or ill. The program focuses on each individual’s recovery potential and personal readiness rather than sporting performance. This people-first approach enables participants to engage in internationally supported sport in ways that support long term wellbeing, renewed confidence and connection to community.
For Alex, the journey began during a period of uncertainty. He had relied on physical activity to maintain mental health throughout his career, and after the accident he found himself searching for ways to rebuild both identity and capability.
When he discovered adaptive sport through the Adaptive Sports Program, his outlook shifted. Sport became a tool that helped him understand his potential again. Wheelchair basketball, archery and indoor rowing helped him develop strength and confidence as he adapted to life as a wheelchair user. The experience affirmed that he was capable of purpose driven physical activity, even after life changing injury.
Research commissioned by Invictus Australia supports these lived experiences. The organisation’s recent studies show that sport fosters social support, strengthens family relationships, and helps veterans rediscover identity and purpose during transition. The findings highlight that adaptive sport creates opportunities for early intervention, improved mental health and positive help seeking.
Families play a central role in this process. For Alex, his wife Erin and son Max became a constant source of support as he navigated hospitalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration at home. Their parents and other family members stepped in to support Max too, allowing Erin to focus on Alex’s recovery. Community connections flourished around them. Erin reflects that people who are well connected tend to recover better, and in their case, it was a combination of family, friends and new relationships formed through the Adaptive Sports Program that helped Alex move forward.
This story aligns with what many Adaptive Sports Program alumni describe. Participants often speak about the sense of community that grows around the program. They also note the feeling of reconnecting with a shared identity as they build relationships with people who understand the challenges of military service, transition and recovery. For many veterans, the greatest impact is the sense of purpose that returns as they work toward goals that are meaningful both on and off the field.
Invictus Australia ensures that support continues beyond events like the Invictus Games. Local sporting programs, volunteering pathways and community engagement initiatives help veterans, both current and former serving, and their families, to stay active and connected well into the future. These ongoing opportunities help individuals maintain their recovery and find renewed direction.
With Expressions of Interest for the 2027 Adaptive Sports Program open from 29 January to 31 March 2026, this is a significant opportunity for current and former serving veterans who have become wounded, injured or ill, during service, to explore how sport could support their own recovery journeys.
Invictus Australia are managing the EOI process for former serving only. For current serving personnel, the Australian Defence Force have opened their applications through internal communication. For more information you can email adf.asp@defence.gov.au.
For many families, Alex and Erin included, adaptive sport has been a catalyst not only for individual healing but for rebuilding confidence, strengthening relationships and creating new possibilities.
The Adaptive Sports Program provides a foundation for this transformation, helping Australians recover, reintegrate and reconnect through the healing power of sport. If you or someone you know would benefit from this program, you can check out more here.
Editor’s Note: This article is published as part of ADM’s support of Invictus Australia.