By Veterans
For Veterans
The Veteran Games is a proactive health initiative designed to address key findings from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, and key failings within the existing Veteran support systems.
Our focus is on improving physical and mental fitness outcomes for Veterans, while working to shape a positive contemporary Veteran narrative through showcasing this excellence in an exciting and engaging competition format.
We do this with the vision of creating a positive, long-term, and measurable impact on the
lives of all current and future Veterans, their families and the broader Australian
community.
Take up the challenge
Over the past two decades, more than 1,500 Australian Veterans have died by suicide; that’s more than double the number we lost in combat during the Vietnam War and more than 25 times the number of Australian combat deaths from Afghanistan and Iraq combined.
For many others, finding or accepting support has been an incredible challenge, creating a mental health crisis that has been worsened by our often splintered and isolated Veteran community.
Through a series of specially designed military-style events, the Veteran Games aims to support ex-service personnel to connect as a community, with purpose, and to celebrate elements of our military identity with a focus on improving mental and physical health outcomes for current and future generations of Australian Veterans.
The Veteran Games is an exciting opportunity for Veterans to showcase physical resilience, teamwork and problem-solving in an Australian-first team competition.
Competing in teams of 8 (+ 2 reserves), this military-style event provides an exclusive opportunity for current and former serving personnel to put their unique skills and experience to the test. Teams will take on the Obstacle Course Challenge and other surprise events requiring problem-solving and teamwork – with each event replicating activities conducted during active military service or combat.
The inaugural Veteran Games was held in the Numinbah Valley on the Gold Coast in Queensland on 30th September – 1st October 2023. Check out the History of the Veteran Games below.
History of the Veteran Games
2025 - Expansion
With one Veteran Games heats under our belt this year, we made our way back to the beautiful Numinbah Valley in the Gold Coast for the 2025 Veteran Games.
The event included:
- 13 teams (130 Veterans Competing)
- 2025 Sponsors – view here.
- Presenting Sponsors – Veterans First Consulting
- Champion Team –Brisbane Veterans RLFC
2025 - Expansion
In 2025 we introduced our first Veteran Games Heats in Darwin held on Robertson Barracks, with the support of NT Government and 1 Brigade.
The event included:
- 9 teams (100 Veterans Competing)
- NT Government Sponsored the Champion Team to travel to Gold Coast and compete in the finals.
- Champion Team – 5/7 RAR.
2024 - Momentum
We continued momentum and grew in numbers with the Veteran Games making a comeback in the beautiful Numinbah Valley on the Gold Coast for year 2.
The event included:
- 10 teams (100 Veterans Competing)
- Our 2024 Sponsors – View here
- Champion Team – 2 SECFOR SQN
taking home the $10,000 cash prize and the name on the shield.
2023 - Proof of Concept
Our first ever Veteran Games took place in the beautiful Numinbah Valley on the Gold Coast.
The event included:
- 5 teams (40 Veterans Competing)
- Our 2023 Sponsors – View here
- Champion Team – Tropic Thunder taking home the $10,000 cash prize and the name on the shield.
