Taking part in physical activity has been proven to have physical, mental and social benefits. However, lockdown restrictions and a lack of competitive sport, has made it harder for our community to get together, and use sport in their recovery from wounds, injuries, or illnesses.
Enter the Powered by Invictus Leagues! The Invictus Games Foundation have set up virtual sporting leagues across Archery, Athletics (track and field), Cycling, Indoor Rowing, and Swimming, to facilitate friendly competition between international participants all chasing a personal best.
Open to all international wounded, injured or sick service personnel and veterans, via the We Are Invictus app and website https://weareinvictus.co.uk/#/welcome Apple store https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/we-are-invictus/id1471377135?mt=8 , Google store https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.flowmo.wis&pcampaignid=pcampaignidMKT-Other-global-all-co-prtnr-py-PartBadge-Mar2515-1 those taking part can track their progress and compare their best scores and times against others from around the world on our Powered By Invictus league tables for each sport.
Whilst there are no prizes, running instead in the spirit of fun and friendly competition, the Invictus Games Foundation have created medals so those taking part can mark their involvement, as well as sweatbands and towels to help them along the way.
The leagues will help participants, who might otherwise be feeling isolated at this time, feel connected to the wider Invictus Community whilst focusing on a physical challenge with an element of friendly competition and remembering the Invictus Spirit.
Those taking part are encouraged to do so only in accordance with their local lockdown restrictions as permitted, and there are a range of sports on offer to facilitate access to those that don’t yet have the necessary equipment.
From January until March international wounded, injured or sick service personnel or veterans will be able to sign up to the following Leagues:
- Swimming League -1,000 metres
- Rowing League -2,000 metres
- Athletics: Track League – 3km.
- Cycling League will be 25 Miles
From January there is also the opportunity to sign up to a monthly league in:
- Athletics: Field League
- Archery League
The launch of the Powered by Invictus Leagues follows the successful launch of the long-distance collective challenge of Row to The Hague https://reg.resport.io/s/step1.jsp?ev=5709337842417664, which currently sees hundreds of participants collectively logging rowing distances to ‘row’ from Sydney to The Hague, marking the transition of Invictus Games host cities. Thanks go to Re:sport http://resport.io/ for their continued support in creating these systems and facilitating international participation.
Interested in taking part? These opportunities, and others, are available for all international WIS (not just Invictus Games participants) at weareinvictus.co.uk. Currently the Leagues are only open to those on the app and website, but more challenges will be launched in the future to incorporate family and friends, and supporters.
The Invictus Games Foundation is extremely grateful to the Positive Pathways Programme from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust in supporting the Powered by Invictus Leagues.
