Invictus Games Sydney 2018 today welcomed Jaguar Land Rover as Presenting Partner extending the company’s support to a fourth event.
Jaguar Land Rover joined the Games family for the inaugural event in London in 2014, continued the association in Orlando in 2016 and is the Presenting Partner for this year’s Games being held in Toronto, Canada from 23-30 September.
Jaguar Land Rover has continually demonstrated a commitment to supporting wounded, injured and ill former and current servicemen and women. Alongside the company’s support of the Invictus Games it has also, through numerous recruitment initiatives, recruited more than 700 ex-military men and women globally into the workplace since 2014.
The partnership will also see the Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge added to the Sydney competition schedule as the 11th medal sport.
The sporty Jaguars guarantee speed and handling precision for the tough slalom challenge course featuring ’Jaguar Smart Cones’ to create an unpredictable, constantly-changing track layout to increase driver difficulty. The surefooted Land Rovers are used on a daunting urban driving course with tracks designed to test both driving and navigational skills.
Former Army Medical Technician Stewart Sherman, is competing at this years Invictus Games and spent time driving the Land Rover Discovery at a recent team training camp, declaring it: “a great car and definitely on my wish list.”
“Jaguar Land Rover Australia has really stepped-up and should be commended for supporting the Australian team for Toronto. It’s great to see them do that,” said Stewart.
A veteran of both Afghanistan and the Solomon Islands, Stewart has been fighting “the invisible injury,” Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), since returning home.
“I have had some really tough times since leaving the military,” he said. “Luckily, I found sport through the Invictus Games and it changed everything for me. It means so much and helped turn me around. Really, it’s been the platform that’s changed my life.
“Coming together with other people who have been through exactly the same things means we can talk about it openly. It’s helped resolve so many things.”
Chair of the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Lieutenant General Peter Leahy AC (Ret’d) says Jaguar Land Rover are an integral part of the Invictus Games story.
“By carrying their support through to Invictus Games Sydney 2018, Jaguar Land Rover will play a vital role in helping the wider Australian community understand the true impact of service. By showcasing the healing power of sport, we hope to inspire the Australian community to embrace our serving personnel, veterans and their supportive family and friends.”
Invictus Games Sydney 2018 presented by Jaguar Land Rover will be staged from 20-27 October across Greater Sydney, including Sydney Olympic Park and on and around Sydney Harbour.
“Jaguar Land Rover is incredibly proud to be the Presenting Partner of the Invictus Games Sydney 2018,” said Matthew Wiesner, Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover Australia.
“Using the power of sport, we believe the Invictus Games can make a difference to rehabilitation of injured and wounded military personnel, and their individual and collective efforts should serve as an inspiration to everyone.”