Two Central Coast athletes have been selected to represent Australia at the 2023 Invictus Games in Düsseldorf later this year.
They will be two of the 31 members of Team Australia to compete at the Games from September 9-16.
Craig Ball of Kanwal is an Army veteran of two tours in Afghanistan and a men’s mental health and empowerment mentor.
He is founder of the Central Coast Men’s Walk and Talk mental health awareness group and will be competing in archery, indoor rowing and sitting volleyball.
Ball, who suffers from chronic Post Traumatic Stress and a range of other mental and physical conditions, said working the rowing machine, circuit training and running all helped clear his head.
“I find the rower acts as a pump to expel negative energy from my body which is really quite profound sometimes,” he said.
“I get a grounded feeling from heavy weights (and) yoga has been vital, allowing negative energy from traumatic experiences to leave my body.”
Ball played rugby growing up and skateboarded into his 20s.
“While serving in the Army I did swimming and I’m hoping that competing in indoor rowing will help me get into surfboat rowing with my local surf club,” he said.
“I would like to get into archery longer term as well.”
Ball said he applied for the Invictus Games to be around like-minded people.
“(I wanted) to be part of a team striving towards a common goal and hopefully raise awareness around men’s mental health,” he said.
Karl Woodward is a Terrigal local who joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 2007 and was deployed across the Middle East as well as South Sudan to support the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.
He will compete in indoor rowing, swimming and wheelchair rugby.
Woodward, who suffers from chronic back pain and mental health issues, said sport played a vital role in his rehabilitation.
“Over the years I have maintained a decent level of fitness, so keeping fit has always been a part of me,” he said.
“Sport is now helping me maintain purpose, focus and discipline in my everyday life, which ultimately helps my rehabilitation during post-service life.”
Before joining the Air Force Woodward was a competitive swimmer for Gosford Stingrays at state and national level and was actively involved with North Avoca Surf Life Saving Club.
Whilst serving he competed at the Australian Defence Force Water Polo Inter Service Championships and the Air Force Surfing Championships.
“My biggest achievement in sport has been my recent performance in the 2022 Australian Indoor Rowing Championships where I placed third in the 1000m,” he said.
Woodward said he applied for the Invictus Games to help reignite his passion for sport and to meet like-minded veterans.
Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the entire Central Coast would be backing the two men come September.
“It is great to hear that our very own Coasties will be participating in the Invictus Games in Germany,” he said.
“The Invictus Games provides a platform to inspire recovery, rehabilitation and recognition for our wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women and it is fantastic that we have two of our own in Team Australia.”
This will be the first time the Games have been held in Germany; they will be jointly hosted by The German Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) and the City of Düsseldorf.
About 500 competitors from 22 nations as well as about 1,000 family members and friends are expected to flock to Düsseldorf for the Games, which will feature 10 individual and team sports.
Terry Collins