Six Australian Defence Force (ADF) athletes have returned home after participating in the Canadian Forces Soldier On Allied Winter Sports Camp held in British Columbia, Canada.
Director General Mental Health, Psychology and Rehabilitation, David Morton, said the participants had faced some major challenges since sustaining their injuries and Defence was committed to supporting them and other injured personnel through a range of programs for them and their families.
The ADF members participated in a number of sports including skiing, snowboarding, curling, bob sled, sledge hockey, cross-country and biathlon.
The team’s involvement in the Sports Camps is part of the ADF Rehabilitation Program and Paralympic Sports Program - clinical rehabilitation initiatives that use adaptive sport to optimise functional independence and physical fitness to promote positive self image.
“These Sports Camps are about overcoming adversity, and the ADF team showed great determination and worked hard with expert coaches to develop their adaptive sports skills,” Mr Morton said.
The Department of Defence thanked the NSW Branch of the RSL which has provided a three year sponsorship for ADF members to participate in this activity.
Media contact:
Defence Media Operations: (02) 6127 1999
Issued by Ministerial and Executive Coordination and Communication,
Department of Defence,
Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999 Fax: 02 6265 6946
