Fast 5 Q&A with Anthony Ball

Anthony Ball is the Chief Executive Officer of ClubsNSW, a Founding Partner of the Invictus Games Sydney 2018. ClubsNSW is also extending its support to the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 efforts in the 2017 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

ClubsNSW is a founding partner of Invictus Games Sydney 2018 and is also lending its support to the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 yachts Game On and Down Under, entered in the 2017 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Why is ClubsNSW proud to partner with Invictus Games Sydney 2018?

Registered clubs have been looking after the welfare of Australia’s veteran community for decades, so our partnership with Invictus Games Sydney 2018 is a natural fit. The event raises awareness of the issues our wounded, injured and ill face as a result of their service, and it’s a cause that we’re extremely proud to support.

ClubsNSW has been part of the community since 1926, how are your local clubs supporting our active and veteran service members?   

Registered clubs, particularly our RSL and Services clubs, are proud to support active and veteran service members, and they do so in many ways. Not only were many clubs established as a meeting place for returned servicemen and women, they provide ongoing direct support, as well as funding organisations such as Homes for Heroes, Legacy, Soldier On and Defence Care.

What is one way individuals can support members of our defence community?

There are many ways that individuals support the defence community each year. It can be as small as purchasing a poppy on Remembrance Day or attending a Dawn Service on Anzac Day – many of which are promoted and supported by our clubs. Invictus Games Sydney 2018 is another great way that individuals can support our veterans, by attending events and showing their support.

Australians love their sport and ClubsNSW is a big supporter of local sporting clubs, how does sport benefit the community?

Australians have a love of sport, and participation starts from a young age. Clubs contribute millions of dollars to sport, particularly junior sport, each year for things such as uniforms and equipment, as well as the provision of sporting infrastructure. There are huge health benefits that come from participating in sport, and getting kids involved from a young age is very important.

Invictus Games Sydney 2018 is a great opportunity for all of Australia to come together and show their support to those who serve and have served, how do events such as these positively impact the community?     

Clubs have always played an important role in supporting returned servicemen and women, and events such as Invictus Games Sydney 2018 not only positively contribute to the mental and physical health of veterans, but they are another way of highlighting to the community the sacrifices that these men and women have made to their country.