Prince Harry Visits Invictus Games Hopefuls at Start of UK Team Trials

Invictus Games Orlando 2016 announces that from today fans can pre-register for tickets.

London, 29 January 2016 – With 100 days to go to the start of the Invictus Games 2016 in Orlando, Prince Harry today joined wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans at the start of the UK team trials.

Prince Harry meets hopefuls trying out for wheelchair tennis, a new sport at the Orlando 2016 Games (photo credit: Duncan Nicholls)

Prince Harry watched hopefuls take part in the athletics trials, catching up with familiar faces from the 2014 Invictus Games as well as meeting new hopefuls who have all been spurred on by the inaugural games and are using sport as part of their recovery journey. He then addressed hopefuls, wishing them good luck on their Invictus Games journey but also reminding them to enjoy the experience, make the most of it and spread the word.

Over the next three days, hundreds of hopefuls will gather at the University of Bath Sports Training Village will have the opportunity to take part in 10 sports in the hope of being selected for one of 100 places on the UK team heading to Orlando in May.

The UK team heading to Orlando will be selected based on the benefit the Invictus Games will give an individual as part of their recovery, combined with performance and commitment to training. The UK team is being delivered by a partnership comprising The Ministry of Defence, Help for Heroes and the Royal British Legion. The Endeavour Fund has provided funding to support the UK Armed Forces team who will compete in Orlando and Jaguar Land Rover is sponsoring the UK team.

To mark the exciting 100 days to go milestone, Orlando 2016 also announced that from today, people can register for tickets by visiting www.invictusgames2016.org/tickets. Members of the public simply need to visit the website and select which sport they’d like to reserve tickets for. Tickets will go on general sale in February.

Alistair Munro, a former electrician in the Royal Engineers, was at the trials giving athletics and sitting volleyball a go. He was in the counter-IED task force and did two tours of Afghanistan. He said: “It’s amazing. Really truly. For a start it’s a massive social thing for all the injured lads to catch up and it fires up the competitive side of you. Some guys lose that bit. This keeps it there and gives you a goal, which is one of the best things about it.”

Prince Harry said: “The excitement is building not just here but also across the pond. You will be unbelievably amazed by the amount of support there is out there for you. It’s not necessarily about selection but it’s about the whole piece. The way it’s fixing you, whether it’s mental or physical. To be able to be in this process, that’s what it’s all about for us, what it always has been about. Don’t forget that you are now or will be ambassadors for the Invictus shirt, and the Invictus spirit. Wherever you go and whatever you do, spread the word and appreciate how much support there is out there.”

Ken Fisher, Chairman and CEO of the Invictus Games Orlando 2016 said: “These Games are about the competitors and their families and the Organizing Committee is doing all we can to create an event worthy of these amazing and inspiring people.”

The next Invictus Games will take place 8 – 12 May at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. Over 500 competitors from 15 countries will take part in 10 sports.

 

admin
Write a Comment