Invictus Games 2023 Team Australia co-captains announced

Flight Sergeant Nathan King and Able Seaman Taryn Dickens have been announced as the co-captains of Team Australia for Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023.

CAPTION: Flight Sergeant Nathan King, Assistant Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Thistlethwaite and Able Seaman Taryn Dickens at the Invictus Games 2023 announcement of Team Australia’s co-captains. Photo by Chief Petty Officer Andrew Dakin.

The duo will lead the combined Team Australia of 31 current and former military personnel along with more than 90 of their family and friends at the games that will run from 9 to 16 September.

Flight Sergeant King, an aircraft technician, is returning for his second games to re-focus his training and further rehabilitate following a sporting injury that left him in intensive care for six weeks and with restricted use of his left leg.

Flight Sergeant King said he wanted to compete a second time to mentor new competitors, so being named captain was a privilege.

“Being able to lead such an incredible group of people is truly an honour and I am grateful to have been considered for the role,” Flight Sergeant King said.

Able Seaman Dickens, a weapons rate electronics technician who is currently posted to HMAS Harman, said she was excited but surprised to be named a team captain.

“I didn’t think I would be nominated with so many other deserving people on the team,” Able Seaman Dickens said.

“I am very grateful to have been selected.”

Invictus Games is an international, adaptive multi-sports competition for serving and former military personnel who have been wounded, injured or become ill during their military service.

Invictus Games Düsseldorf will bring together around 500 current and former military personnel from 22 nations.

Competitors will participate in both individual and team sports including athletics, indoor rowing, powerlifting, road cycling, sitting volleyball, table tennis, swimming, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby.

Team Australian is supported by the Australian Defence Force and Invictus Australia.

Chef de Mission Team Australia Brigadier Phil Winter said the team captains were a credit to the ADF and the nation.

“I commend Flight Sergeant King and Able Seaman Dickens on their selection as team captains,” Brigadier Winter said.

“They, and their teammates represent the epitome of resilience and the Australian spirit.

“The Invictus Games are an opportunity for Australia to celebrate determination, mateship and honour with others from around the world who have also shown resilience in times of adversity.”

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