Michael Matthews

Army veteran Michael Matthews, 31, was medically discharged in May 2015. The former Lance Corporal from Cardiff, Wales is using the 2018 Invictus Games to help him regain his purpose and sense of camaraderie. “Competing will re-establish a sense of belonging to a brotherhood and evoke the feeling of team spirit in which I had in the army prior to my injuries.” Since starting training for the Games, Michael has fully committed himself to recovery, and has started a wheelchair rugby club that he trains with on a weekly basis. Pride is also high on the list of priorities for Sydney. “I want the feeling that I am serving for my country once more, but in a sport that has helped my recovery. It will give me a great sense of pride to once again put on a uniform with a union jack and represent my country - and to inspire a generation to show what they think is impossible is actually possible.”