Navy veteran Amy Beal returns home to Rockingham from Invictus Germany Sports Festival

Rockingham local and Navy veteran Amy Beal has returned home after a milestone week at the Invictus Germany Sports Festival 2026.

The three-day festival is a community and sporting event for veterans, deployed soldiers, first responders and their families.

Serving as co-captain of Team Australia, Beal led a 20-member team to Dusseldorf where they competed in both the table tennis and sitting volleyball events.

The Royal Australian Navy veteran said being chosen as co-captain was deeply meaningful.

“Being named co-captain alongside Colin McCallum was a massive honour,” Beal said.

“To be able to lead all of our teammates and be there to guide and support them was something I have taken to heart.”

Australia came home with a silver medal for the sitting volleyball event, marking the first time an Australian team had reached a team-sport gold medal match at an Adaptive Sports Program event since 2018.

Beal said competing at Invictus was about far more than results but about building connection and purpose with fellow veterans.

“That sense of connection and camaraderie, being part of a team again with like-minded individuals, it was huge,” she said.

“I don’t think you can underestimate the power it has, being in a group of 19 other veterans who understand each other’s reactions and the injuries we have, some of which we have in common with each other, it was just absolutely amazing.”

Beal said events like Invictus were so important to the veteran community and life-saving work for both veterans and their families in need of support.

“We use the power of sport in our recovery and our rehabilitation, to push ourselves and push each other. Sport helps us not only hold ourselves accountable but hold each other accountable as well.”

Perth is set to host the next Invictus Australia Sports Festival in October 2026.

“I’m really keen to be involved in some way, shape, or form,” Beal said.

“If it’s not as a competitor, I’ll be signing up to volunteer for the event, so I can try and help provide the massive opportunity it was for me.

“It’s a great experience to veterans in need, and who would take great comfort in and improve themselves in participating in an event such as this sports festival.”