VOICES
I AM INVICTUS
The Invictus Games may have been postponed, but the importance of the Games is still felt amongst the Armed Forces community. Team UK captain for 2020, Rachel Williamson, spoke about the power of the Games
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ince the original event in 2014, the Invictus Games have been a highlight of the Armed Forces community’s calendar. Although plans for the Invictus Games 2020 The Hague have been postponed until May or July 2021 – organisers are yet to set a date at time of going to print – the importance of the Games is not lost. In October 2019, it was announced that Rachel Williamson, who served in the RAF from 2007 to 2018, would captain Team UK throughout their time at the 2020 Games. As Team UK prepared to train for The Hague, Rachel Williamson spoke about becoming team captain during her resettlement.
…you’re not alone in your journey and there’s always someone going through something similar
CAPTAIN
PIC: © HELP FOR HEROES
“The Invictus Games has absolutely changed my life,” Rachel enthuses. “I couldn’t believe it when I found out I was going to be the Team UK captain – I’m still getting used to hearing it.” Bringing together wounded, injured and sick (WIS) veterans and serving personnel from around the world, Rachel is responsible for supporting Team UK members, and keeping them motivated during the Games.
CONFIDENCE
One of the important aspects of the Games that sets it apart from other sporting competitions is the lack of emphasis on winning. Instead, the focus is on pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, to rebuild confidence. “When you compete at the Invictus Games, you haven’t got that performance pressure,” emphasises Rachel. “You can just turn up and enjoy yourself. There’s nothing else like it, and it’s nothing to do with performance at all. The Games are a whole new platform to get involved with sport.” From archery and athletics to sitting volleyball and swimming, the opportunities to get involved with the Games are endless, and encourage many to push themselves to get involved with sport at home, too.
TRANSFORMATION
You don’t have to be competing at the Games to enjoy the benefits that sport can bring: it can not only be a useful tool in physical rehabilitation, but also improve mental health and reduce levels of anxiety and depression. It’s for this reason that taking part in sport during or after service can have such a transformational effect. “Sometimes, when you’re going through resettlement or rehabilitation, it’s easy to think you’re the only one going through your journey,” Rachel explains. “But being at the Invictus Games and seeing all the competitors
from all the different nations is amazing. It reminds you that you’re not alone in your journey and there’s always someone going through something similar.” With no experience necessary, the Invictus Games is open to any WIS veteran who want to push themself and try their hand at a new sport. n
FIND OUT MORE Follow the updates on the rescheduled Invictus Games at, invictusgamesfoundation.org
www.advancemagazine.co.uk
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