A message from Veteran Support Force
Hundreds of Defence Force veterans, serving members and their families from across Australia will head to the Gold Coast for the Veteran Games 2025 Finals next month.
Teams from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, the Northern Territory and the ACT have registered to take part in the event aimed at showcasing the strength, resilience, and camaraderie of Australia’s military community.
The finals, to be held 11-12 October, will feature an exciting range of mental and physical challenges, including stretcher carries, rope climbs, obstacle courses, and tug of war, with more than 500 competitors and spectators expected to attend.
The Veteran Games is now in its third year and is an initiative of Veteran Support Force, a not-for-profit founded by fifth-generation veteran and retired Special Forces officer Heston Russell to better support former military personnel.
'The Veteran Games is more than just a competition,' Mr Russell said. 'It’s about bringing veterans and serving personnel together, challenging them, and reinforcing the connection within the Defence community.
'These games are an opportunity to build social connection while raising awareness around mental health and wellbeing, an issue that continues to affect so many in the veteran and Defence communities.
'Through the Veteran Games, we’re providing a purpose that builds both physical and mental resilience, ensuring that veterans feel connected, supported, and empowered through every stage of their journey.'
Joshua Nash of the 5/7 Royal Australian Regiment will be taking his Darwin team to the Gold Coast finals, hoping to secure a national win for the Northern Territory.
'This is our team’s first time in the Veteran Games, and we’re excited to put our skills to the test,' Corporal Nash said.
'We were thrilled to win the heats in Darwin in August and can’t wait for the opportunity to represent NT in the finals. We’re really proud. It’s events like these that actually make a difference and save lives.'
The event is open to spectators and admission is free. For more information, including spectator tickets, visit https://veterangames.com.
Veteran Support Force was a recipient of a 2024 DVA Veteran Wellbeing Grant.