VA helps team put best foot forward

Veterans' Affairs New Zealand got behind the New Zealand Defence Force's Invictus Games team in perhaps the most practical way possible; they supplied the team's shoes. 

Head of Veterans' Affairs Bernadine MacKenzie said supporting the team to attend the Games in Sydney from October 20-27 was an obvious choice, and providing the New Balance shoes was a practical way to do that. 

"One of our roles is to support veterans to recover and rebuild from service-related injuries and illnesses. A powerful way to achieve this is through sport and maintaining social connection,: she said. 

"We hope the athletes got a sense of pride from representing not only New Zealand, but also themselves and the achievements they've made in their rehabilitation."

The Invictus Games are an international adaptive event which use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for wounded, injured and ill current and former service men and women. This year's event involved 500 competitors from 18 allied nations competing in 11 different adaptive sports.