people
F
ounded by HRH The Duke of
“For me, training is like a coping
Connolly, who will compete in the
Sussex, Prince Harry, in 2014, strategy … not just for my physical 2018 Games in wheelchair basketball
the Invictus Games use the health but for my mental health and wheelchair rugby.
power of sport to inspire recovery, too, otherwise it can be a struggle
support rehabilitation and generate a sometimes,” she said.
wider understanding and respect for
those who serve their country.
For Corporal Sonya Newman,
“It (Invictus Games) has changed
my life.”
Sonya said ‘winning’ at the
Dave, 55, from Mena Creek in
Queensland, joined the Army in 1982
and discharged in 2003. The majority
of his service was with the 3rd Battalion
Royal Australian Regiment and
sport has played a big role in her 2018 Games will be “bringing my Parachute Training School (PTS), and
rehabilitation from an above-knee best efforts to the competition he was deployed to the Middle East
amputation, following complications and showing my kids (Douglas and in a peacekeeper role in 1995. Having
from minor-surgery, in 2016. Ashley) what I can achieve”. completed all parachute instructor
“Sport gives me the motivation I
‘Invictus’ is Latin for unconquered,
courses, he became the Wing Sergeant
need to get moving in life. My entire and it embodies the fighting spirit of Major (PTS) and was awarded the
outlook has changed since I started defence service personnel like Dave Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC).
swimming and learned to walk again,”
she said.
“I can now see what I can achieve
in life, not what I cannot.”
Sonya, 38, from Darwin in the
North Territory, is an Operator
“It was such a life-changing experience to see
people with different injuries and illness putting
in so much effort to be the best that they can be."
Specialist Vehicle 274-10 currently
posted to the 1st Combat Service
Support Battalion. She joined the
Army Reserves in 1999, transferred
to the permanent Army in 2002 and
has been deployed to the Solomon
Islands and Sumatra.
Sonya competed in the 2017
Invictus Games in Toronto.
“It was such a life-changing
experience to see people with
different injuries and illness putting
in so much effort to be the best that
they can be,” she said.
“I couldn’t pass up the
opportunity to be a part of the
Games here in Australia.”
Sonya will compete in wheelchair
basketball, indoor rowing, sitting
volleyball and swimming and has
been enjoying a robust training
Sonya Newman (right,
and opposite) and Dave
Connolly (above) will
compete in the Invictus
Games in Sydney this
month.
schedule.
linkonline.com.au
people
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