EFDS welcomes the Invictus Games for role in talent development

The long-awaited Invictus Games, presented by Jaguar Land Rover, start today and will continue until Sunday 14 September. Over 400 competitors from 13 nations will take part in nine adaptive sports. The event provides a competitive stage similar to other elite international events, bringing together talented disabled Servicemen and women in their chosen sports. The English Federation of Disability Sport is looking forward to witnessing the talent on show and draws attention to the millions of disabled people around the UK, who want to be active in other less competitive ways.

Teams from Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Georgia, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand and the USA will compete in the Capital this week alongside the British team. The event, which is championed by Prince Harry, will shine a spotlight on Armed Forces personnel and veterans who have put their lives on the line for their country. The Games aim to use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation, and generate a wider understanding and respect. For 130 British hopefuls, the event is the pinnacle of qualifying trials, where they battled it out for their place in the Games.

The banter may be rife, but our British Armed Forces Team is out to win and has trained for the expected rivalry. Evidencing the level of talent, is Micky Yule one of the British team who comes fresh from the Commonwealth Games. In Glasgow, he placed an impressive fourth in Powerlifting.

For the 400 talented sports people competing, it will offer a memorable, inspiring and energising experience. The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) recalls how the London Paralympic Games also generated fantastic interest. They provided the momentum to trigger increased participation and investment into sport and physical activity for disabled people.

However, our collective challenge continues to be the need to address the stark reality that disabled people are still half are as likely to be active as non-disabled people. Barry Horne, Chief Executive for the English Federation of Disability Sport, said ahead of the Invictus Games:

“The Invictus Games will no doubt be a spectacle to watch. I can imagine the amount of competition and rivalry we will witness already! What I urge people to remember while watching the Games though, is that not every disabled person can or will want to be a high performer and reach this top level. For many, just being active is enough. That is why EFDS is keen to ensure all opportunities are inclusive for people with every impairment and at a level they wish to take part at.”

As highlighted in EFDS’s Motivate Me report, a great majority of disabled people are more likely to respond to opportunities to get active which tap into the things that matter to them most including: building friendships, maintaining health, becoming more independent and progressing in life. Activity which helps to develop a positive self-image and simply having fun is what most of us seek out when wanting to improve our sense of wellbeing and feel more fulfilled in life. More often than not disabled people are looking for opportunities which are as likely to appeal to their non-disabled friends and family and which enable them to get active wherever and in whatever sport or activity they choose. 

The Invictus Games are being organised with the support and backing of The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry and the Ministry of Defence. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the Lee Valley Athletics Centre will host the events thanks to the Mayor of London Boris Johnson, the London Legacy Development Corporation, the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, DCMS and Sport England.

For more information and to keep up to date on the latest news about the Invictus Games, visit their website www.invictusgames.org