Former Royal Australian Able Seaman Braedon Griffiths represented Australia for the second time in the Invictus Games in April.
Griffiths, who is a right transfemoral amputee after a car accident six years ago, competed in wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and sitting volleyball at the international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick military personnel, both serving and veterans. And the wheelchair rugby team scored a bronze medal.
Speaking about the win he said wheelchair rugby is a more straightforward game. “You pretty much just smash everybody as hard as you can and get the ball across the line,” he said. “Last time we were completely undefeated throughout the entire competition, but we had a really good scrap against the UK, and it was an exciting game.”
More than 500 participants from 20 countries participated in 10 adaptive sports, with Australia fielding a team of 32 for the Games. Griffiths was one of two Queensland NDIS participants who took part.
When he played in his first Invictus Games in 2018, team training camps were held every month, however this time, due to Covid and the recent flood events, he only had two training sessions in almost three years.
“Our last training camp was in February, and we have not had any training and I’m the only member that’s played rugby before on the team, as everybody else is brand new,” he said. “It’s certainly been challenging to get everyone training and participating together. Obviously, if we can’t have a proper team camp, playing at local league is the next best thing. Unfortunately, not everybody has access to this.”
Griffiths is heavily involved in local sports, playing in Brisbane and Sunshine Coast rugby sides, senior’s basketball, rugby league and coaching a junior Sporting Wheelies basketball team in Carina, Brisbane. “It’s very much grassroots. We have everybody coming out from the age of four, up to 70 plus,” he said.
“We can teach anything from strength and mobility, pushing a wheelchair to catching and throwing, playing as a team, strategy and positioning. I am not doing this for any other reason than to give these kids the opportunities to play sport.”
Invictus Games competitors can only compete in two Games, but Griffiths is hopeful he can still play a part and become a rugby coach in years to come.
He received assistance to implement his NDIS funding from Carers Queensland. “Having NDIS supports takes some weight off my partner’s shoulders and makes me feel like I’m doing my fair share,” he said.