The Invictus Games are set to commence on February 8, with the latest edition taking place in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada. This international event, which has been held bi-annually since 2014, showcases sitting volleyball as a core sport, emphasizing the transformative power of adaptive sports for over 500 wounded, injured, and ill veterans from more than 20 countries.
In Western Australia, Volleyball WA recently launched the Perth Social Sitting Volleyball League, which is supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport, and Cultural Industries (DLGSC). This initiative has garnered participation from numerous veterans and their families, including two standout athletes, Jason Readdy and Danny Giles, who will proudly represent Team Australia in sitting volleyball.
Jason Readdy, a former infantry soldier who joined the Army in 1991, dedicated 31 years to the Australian Defence Force (ADF), specializing in marine environments until his medical discharge in August 2022. A talented athlete in his youth, Jason competed in rugby league and athletics at the state level. Still, he faced challenges in maintaining his involvement in sports during his military career due to injury risks and time constraints. However, since his discharge, Jason has rekindled his passion for sports with the support of Invictus Australia and Army Adaptive Sports. He expressed that participating in the Invictus Games has filled a significant void in his life and provided him with a renewed sense of purpose and camaraderie.
Danny Giles, originally from the Northern Territory, enlisted in the Army in 1997 with aspirations of joining the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR). After successfully completing the selection course, he was posted to Perth in 2004. Following ongoing injury issues, Danny retired from the ADF in 2024. His early years were filled with sports like Australian rules football and cricket, but increased military responsibilities led to a hiatus from athletic pursuits. Since transitioning to civilian life, Danny has actively sought new sporting opportunities, finding motivation and focus through community sports.
The Invictus Games allow athletes to compete in multiple disciplines. In addition to sitting volleyball, Jason will compete in 50m freestyle swimming, indoor rowing, and cross-country skiing, while Danny will participate in Nordic Biathlon and indoor rowing. Volleyball WA extends its best wishes to both athletes as they gear up for their events, especially as teammates in sitting volleyball.
After the Games, both Jason and Danny will return to the Volleyball WA community programs, which aim to bring together individuals with and without disabilities and veterans and volleyball enthusiasts at all levels. The Perth Social Sitting Volleyball League will continue throughout February, paving the way for the 2025 Australian Sitting Volleyball Championships.
For more information about the league and its initiatives, visit the Adaptive Volley webpage or contact inclusion@volleyballwa.com.au.
