Harnessing the power of sport for wellbeing and community reintegration
The Invictus Pathways Program (IPP) is a wellbeing program to assist current serving and veteran defence force personnel and first responders who have physical, emotional and/or psychological conditions often suffered as a result of traumatic events.
The Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry, bring together a unique band of international competitors to inspire understanding and respect for returned service men and women through the power of sport. The Invictus Games are about much more than just sport - they capture hearts, challenge minds and change lives, while shining a spotlight on the ‘unconquerable’ character of service men and women, their families and their ‘Invictus’ spirit.
The IPP is motivated by the spirit of the Invictus Games to harness the power of exercise and sport to inspire recovery and wellbeing. The program includes activities that welcome the family members of participants also.
The IPP is about using sport and exercise and participating in community adaptive sports to achieve life goals.
UniSA is proud to support the physical, psychological and social wellbeing of our returned service men and women and first responders through the Invictus Pathways Program (IPP). This global-first Invictus Pathways Program provides participants with access to a range of wellbeing activities in the community as well as allied health services, including:
- baseline physiological testing and profiling
- training in state-of-the-art facilities
- support programs, and
- the expertise of UniSA’s leading health professionals and students.
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IPP Merchandise available for purchase now!
Hear from our participants & students
Thanks to UniSA Invictus Pathways Sailing Program ‘Setting a New Course’, I can confidently integrate within the community by achieving the goals and pathways I set out in the program.
Before participating in the IPP, I had no hope for the future, felt worthless and was disconnected with family and friends. Through participation of physical activities, wellbeing programs and family organised activities, I have found purpose and hope. I feel I am a better mother, friend and family member. Through participation I have learnt to accept help and support from others while also taking great pride in helping others.
Thanks to the IPP I am fitter, happier and healthier than I have been in years! The program has set me up to succeed in managing my physical and mental recovery through sport and physical activity. I am grateful for all of the support from Uni SA to be the best that I can be.
I've learnt a number of things taking part in the Invictus Pathway Program. Engaging with people who have PTSD, different backgrounds was really challenging to begin with and I think having moved into working with the South Australia Metropolitan Fire service it just gave me a better perspective of how to handle that sort of thing and how rewarding it can be to work with those people as well.
This placement has been incredible. Building relationships with two people and following with them through that journey it's been uplifting… Being with them for 12 months instead of one day or two weeks you really get to know them for who they are and you get to understand their personality and you understand just them as a whole and it's really important to understand your clients to be able to really help them achieve their goals. I've learnt how to be clear in my communication and I've learnt how to really support people going through things that you can't see on the outside.
Invictus Pathways Scholarship
The Invictus Pathways Program provides a fully-funded PhD scholarship to investigate the long-term effect participation has on personnel’s health and wellbeing.
Funded by Military and Emergency Services Health Australia (MESHA), in partnership with The Hospital Research Foundation, the scholarship provides a unique opportunity to assess the psychological importance and impact on athletes training and competing in the Invictus Games, and their families.
This research is part of the UniSA's Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA).
Invictus in the news
Key contacts
Program Lead: Invictus Pathways Program
Dr Brad Stenner
e: brad.stenner@unisa.edu.au
t: +61 883021424
Industry Liaison Officer
Postal address
University of South Australia,
P2-05 Playford Building,
City East Campus, Frome Road,
GPO Box 2471
Adelaide, SA, 5001
“The Invictus Pathways Program is a University owned, student-led program for Veterans and First Responders. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with the Invictus Games Foundation.”
