Capt Anita Brooker

48 year old Capt Anita Brooker is looking forward to competing in the road cycling, indoor rowing and seated volley ball at this year's Invictus Games.

Capt Brooker who suffers from Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder and other illnesses joined the Australian Army in 1988 as a Psychological Examiner.

Capt Brooker said she got involved with the Invictus Games because it provided her with a positive goal to aim for.

"I am very excited that I am representing the Australian Defence Force," she said.

"My goal is to actively participate in all of the sports and to support other team members to get the best out of themselves.

"It proves to me that my injury and illness have not beaten me."

Capt Brooker said she felt very honoured to be selected for the Australian Invictus Games team.

"My partner and my son will be supporting me in Orlando and are both really looking forward to the experience."

"The Games have provided me with an incentive to stay on track with my treatment and have given me confidence," Capt Brooker said.

http://www.defence.gov.au/Events/InvictusGames/default.asp

www.facebook.com/Team.Invictus.Australia

https://invictusgamesfoundation.org/

twittwe @InvictusOrlando @aussieinvictus

RSN's Sporting Women Talk with Dani Moffitt a participant in the 2016 Invictus Games for the Australian Team. After joining the Air Force as a Communications and Information Systems Controller in 1994, Dani served for 17 years before being medically discharged in 2011. Dani was deployed to the Middle East in 2008. Dani's passion for cycling started when she was selected to ride beside 80 members of Wounded Warriors Canada through the battlefields of the Western Front in Belgium and France in 2014. Dani will be competing in the road cycling event at this year's Games.

Dani said she was extremely overwhelmed when she learnt she had been selected into the Australian team. "I never expected to be selected and I look forward to making the most of this opportunity," she said. "The Invictus Games gives you a sense of freedom and a goal to achieve." "My goal for the Games is to finish the race and do the best I can. I will also be there to help others who may need it." "Being involved with the Invictus Games will be one of the highlights of my life." "I am looking forward to building relationships with the Australian team and the other international teams." Dani will be accompanied by her proud parents at the Games.

http://www.defence.gov.au/Events/InvictusGames/default.asp

www.facebook.com/Team.Invictus.Australia

https://invictusgamesfoundation.org/

twittwe @InvictusOrlando @aussieinvictus

RSN's Sporting Women Talk with Rachel Kerrigan a participant in the 2016 Invictus Games for the Australian Team. Rachel joined the Air Force in 1997 as an Engineering Officer. Rachel was deployed to Afghanistan in 2002 as part of the International Coalition Against Terrorism under Operation Slipper and suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression. Despite her injuries, Rachel is training to become a fully certified instructor to work with horses and aims to help veterans and first responders who also suffer from PTSD. Rachel will be competing in indoor rowing and powerlifting in this year's Games.

Rachel said competing at the Invictus Games was on her bucket list. "I cried and screamed when I found out I was on the team, it was very emotional," she said. "When I lost the ability to put my uniform on and serve my country, I felt I lost who I was." "To represent my country and the military again, is something I cannot put into words, it means the world to me." Rachel's future goal is to find a sport she is competitive in and continue competing.

http://www.defence.gov.au/Events/InvictusGames/default.asp

www.facebook.com/Team.Invictus.Australia

https://invictusgamesfoundation.org/

twittwe @InvictusOrlando @aussieinvictus

Alicia is one the Qantas Australian Women's Rugby Seven team members, the team finish 3rd at the competition in Canada this week.

We speak to her about her transition from Touch Football to Rugby Union Sevens, and also about the road to Rio.

http://www.aru.com.au/sevens

Twitter: @aliciaquirk

@Aussie7s

Darlene joined the Army Reserves in 1997 before discharging to the Navy in 1999 as a Communications Information Systems Officer. Darlene suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Her recovery and rehabilitation was challenging and led her to join Mates 4 Mates. Darlene was involved in the Help 4 Heroes cycle challenge and the Big Battlefield Bike Ride in France.

Darlene said the ride was challenging mentally, physically and socially. "Cycling has helped me with my recovery from PTSD," she said. "My goal now is to help other veterans suffering by experiencing the benefits of cycling." Darlene said being able to compete in the Invictus Games would be her biggest achievement to date. "I have come such a long way since taking up cycling and to have the opportunity to take it to another level with other veterans is exciting," she said. "Being involved in the Invictus Games means there is a life after military and PTSD." "I can find my old self and be happy; I like the idea of being a role model for other people who are struggling." "I will never give up."

The Invictus Games is an international adaptive sports event for wounded, injured and ill serving and former serving personnel which aims to build upon participants' individual rehabilitation and recovery programs.

The Invictus Games is an initiative supported by HRH Prince Harry. London hosted the first Invictus Games in September 2014

The 2016 games will be held in Orlando, Florida, USA, from 8-12 May.

http://www.defence.gov.au/Events/InvictusGames/default.asp

Army Cpl Cris Ashcroft will be among the Australian squad of 40 inspirational athletes participating in the Invictus Games in Orlando. Despite suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), eye and hearing impairment and shoulder issues, Cpl Ashcroft will compete in powerlifting, swimming and cycling events.

Cpl Ashcroft said prior to her deployment to Afghanistan in 2009 and diagnosis of PTSD she was an elite age athlete. "The Games have given me the motivation to train at that level of competition again," she said. Having matched last year's record in the powerlifting category, Cpl Ashcroft is hoping to win gold at the Games. She aims to place in the top three in the swimming events and top five in cycling. "The games have given me something to look forward to and motivation to get back to using my injured shoulder again. It has also helped my mental health by helping me to confront a lot of fears I have developed," said Cpl Ashcroft.

The Invictus Games is an international adaptive sports event for wounded, injured and ill serving and former serving personnel which aims to build upon participants' individual rehabilitation and recovery programs.

The Invictus Games is an initiative supported by HRH Prince Harry. London hosted the first Invictus Games in September 2014

The 2016 games will be held in Orlando, Florida, USA, from 8-12 May.

http://www.defence.gov.au/Events/InvictusGames/default.asp

As a former Medical Technician with the Army, Taryn assisted in the disaster relief in Papua New Guinea in 2008 before retiring in 2012. Taryn suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and is involved in the 'Soldier On' program.

Taryn said she will compete in powerlifting and the team sports at the games. "I use the words honour, mateship and respect to describe my feelings towards the Games," she said. "My personal goal is to be my best when I step up to compete and represent Australia." "With my competitive nature I hope to be on the podium, although beating my personal best will be rewarding enough." Taryn believes the training for the Games has given her relief from her medical condition. "Sport plays an important role in the rehabilitation of any service related injury, be it visible or not," said Taryn.

The Invictus Games is an international adaptive sports event for wounded, injured and ill serving and former serving personnel which aims to build upon participants' individual rehabilitation and recovery programs.

The Invictus Games is an initiative supported by HRH Prince Harry. London hosted the first Invictus Games in September 2014

The 2016 games will be held in Orlando, Florida, USA, from 8-12 May.

http://www.defence.gov.au/Events/InvictusGames/default.asp

Karis recently won the Australian Junior Championship at the Devonport Golf Club, see has finished second in the previous years, she is also the Co- Winner of the Karrie Webb Series this year that will see her heading over the Women US Open later this year to spend the week with Karrie Webb. We speak to her about the win, and also about her passion for the game of golf.

Emma is one the Qantas Australian Women's Rugby Seven team members, the team finish 3rd at the competition in Canada this week.

Emma recently won the MVP for the Tournament in Atlanta, we speak to her about her transition from Rugby League to Rugby Union Sevens, and also about the road to Rio.

http://www.aru.com.au/sevens

Twitter: @emmatonegato

@Aussie7s

We talk to Darren about this season of female AFL/VFL football, the talent search for the 2017 Women's AFL completion, and more.

http://www.aflvic.com.au/female/