Featherston Battler Back in the Firing Line

11 April 2016

Featherston Battler Back in the Firing Line

Featherston local, Petty Officer (PO) Karl Shearsby is back in training in the hope of bringing back gold as part of the 2016 New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Invictus Games team.

PO Shearsby, who represented New Zealand in the inaugural games, held in London in 2014, is thrilled to have once again been selected to represent the Navy and his country in this year’s competition.

“It’s a huge deal to be part of the Kiwi Team and for many of us, we can no longer deploy on operations. So this is the opportunity for us to serve overseas and represent the NZDF and our country,” he says.

With over 16 years of military service to his name, PO Shearsby shows a dogged determination to compete and win.

“Being part of a team and being able to compete is something I have found to help me get out of some dark places. Being told you can’t do some things because of an illness really gets to you, so to have the opportunity to show I can still contribute and make a difference is huge.”

The Invictus Games provides an international stage that unites wounded, ill and injured Service men and women from around the world. The Games enable both active duty personnel and veterans to learn and share through their common experiences.

Adaptive sports competitions like the Invictus Games aid in holistic healing throughout the recovery and rehabilitation process: mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically and socially.

“I can’t wait to compete with my team, and meet other people who have had similar issues and are going through the same thing as me.”

PO Shearsby says, who hopes to compete in Athletics, Wheelchair Rugby and Wheelchair Basketball.

In 2014, NZDF sent a contingent of 12 athletes to compete against over 400 athletes from 13 countries in the Games – bringing back six medals for their efforts.

In the 2016 Games, 20 New Zealand competitors will take up the Invictus challenge.

The Invictus Games will take place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida over 8-12 May 2016.

More than 500 competitors from 15 countries will compete in 10 adaptive sports – including archery, road cycling, power lifting, indoor rowing, athletics, swimming, wheelchair tennis, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, and sitting volleyball.

The NZDF Invictus Games team is proudly supported by the Auckland and Christchurch RSAs, BLK Sports, Fulton Hogan NZ, the OffLimits Trust, and the Fallen Heroes Trust.

Follow the team’s progress on facebook.com/InvictusGamesNZ

ENDS

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