The UK will hold the first ever national games for British wounded, injured and sick veterans and personnel in Sheffield next July.
The Games will incorporate the trials for the Invictus Games in The Hague in 2020 with the national event focusing on helping individuals to lead full and rewarding lives.
The 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney saw countless examples of wounded, injured and sick serving personnel and veterans displaying the unconquered spirit that now typifies this movement.
Building on the success of Sydney, and maintaining the strong association with the Invictus Games, the UK partnership, consisting of Help for Heroes, the Ministry of Defence and The Royal British Legion, will be delivering a series of events and activities not least a multi-sport, multi-day event in Sheffield in July 2019.
The event in Sheffield will include Team UK’s Trials for the next Invictus Games in The Hague in May 2020, and provide opportunities for up to 500 individuals and their families to use the power of sport, teamwork and competition to significantly accelerate their recovery.
Participants will be able to take part in sports including athletics, wheelchair basketball, powerlifting, swimming and sitting volleyball.
Head of UK Delegation, Air Vice-Marshal Garry Tunnicliffe said:
“The Invictus Games 2018 once again showed the incredible rehabilitative power of sport to help our wounded and injured service personnel and veterans.
These new games will ensure we maintain the momentum of recovery for the special community Invictus has created. Together with Help for Heroes and The Royal British Legion we can help those who have life changing conditions, especially those who have sacrificed so much for our country, to lead full and rewarding lives.
Mel Waters, CEO Help for Heroes said: “We are extremely proud of the significant progress so many individuals and families have made on their recovery journeys through being part of Team UK. We are delighted that, alongside the Ministry of Defence and The Royal British Legion, we will be able to help even more individuals benefit from the power of taking part in sport in 2019.”
Antony Baines, Director of Operations at The Royal British Legion said: “The Legion is proud to be working with Help for Heroes and the Ministry of Defence on the 2019 Games in Sheffield. The event will be an example of our life long commitment to today’s Serving personnel, veterans and their families. These Games are aimed at not only those competing in sport, but their partners, parents, children and friends who support their loved ones throughout injury or illness and play an integral part in their recovery.”
Councillor Julie Dore, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said:
“We are thrilled that in July 2019 Sheffield will be hosting the UK Trials for the Invictus Games in The Hague 2020. The Games, famously founded by Prince Harry, in 2014 and currently being held in Sydney, is a sporting event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, with an enormous and growing worldwide profile.
“In Sheffield, we are becoming increasingly well-known as the leading city in the UK for adaptive and disability sport, which makes this a match made in sporting heaven. We are looking forward to giving a warm Sheffield welcome to the five hundred participants, as well as their teams and supporters, and are hugely proud to support our armed forces, along with Help for Heroes and the Royal British Legion.
“We know people in Sheffield are great at getting behind major sporting events, so watch this space for more details about opportunities for communities and the business and cultural sector throughout the city to get involved and support the event.
“This is the first time the UK Invictus Trials will be run as a formal event in this way, and it is fantastic that Sheffield has been chosen to host this inaugural occasion at the forefront of a positive and exciting global movement.”