The Invictus Games is an international multi-sport event first held in 2014, for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, both serving and veterans. The word 'Invictus' means 'unconquered', chosen as an embodiment of the fighting spirit of the wounded, injured and sick service personnel and what they can achieve, post injury.

“The Invictus Games is about much more than just sport – it captures hearts, challenges minds and changes lives.”

Sitting Volleyball is part of the Invictus Games and we caught up with Richard Osborne the Lead Coach for Team UK’s Invictus Games Sitting Volleyball team.

Richard tells us more about Invictus and your involvement.

“This is the 6th edition of the Invictus Games and I am lucky enough to have coached at all of them.  For the first 3 Games, I coached the Georgian Armed Forces before taking the lead role for Team UK in 2018 with whom I remain, although this year I am also helping Team Ukraine via remote coaching.  For the last 37 years I have been employed by the Ministry of Defence as a civil servant and so I have an affinity with the Armed Forces and its personnel, who all signed up in the knowledge they could pay the ultimate sacrifice to protect our country.  Many enjoy a career that is free from wounds, injury or sickness but others aren’t so fortunate and so it’s only right that we step up to do our bit to help them on their road to recovery.  My contribution is to coach them to play sitting volleyball.

The Invictus Games is not a performance programme but is singularly focused on supporting Wounded, Injured and Sick personnel in their recovery through sport.  The Royal British Legion is leading the way this year and has done an incredible job so far, including continuing to support those who didn’t get selected for Team UK through other activities and opportunities.

A highlight was of course winning the gold medal with Team Georgia in 2017, but the things that really stick with me don’t happen during the actual Games, but before and after.  Training camps are intense, especially when working with complete beginners, but witnessing the team’s work ethic, commitment, and support for each other is brilliant, as too is seeing the return of their self-belief and sense of accomplishment which had previously  been lost or missing.  It is also the power the Games have to transform communities that has true impact.  In Georgia, people with a disability are often poorly regarded, even bringing shame on their family, but the Georgian Armed Forces has helped massively in changing public perception about what disability means and that a disabled person still has value.  To have been a small part in helping change attitudes is amazing.

 I can’t wait to get going with the new cohort and I have no doubt they will bring the same energy and enthusiasm as those who came before them. “

Thank you Richard, looking forward to watch an exciting competition, good luck team UK.