Shaun Hillman discovered a passion for cycling through his involvement with the University of South Australia Invictus Pathways program.
Little did he know then how much that program, as well as that sport, would impact his life.
“It’s given me a purpose; that goal to work for,” said Shaun, who joined the Australian Army in 2010 when he was 18.
“I have a number of medical issues – achilles tendonitis in both legs, which has caused other issues with my lower back and ankles, and shoulder injuries.
“I’m not able to run or anything like that any more so cycling was the sport I picked up to keep me active, to help meet people and for my mental health. It’s my passion sport,” he said.
‘I’d like to go out and say ‘you can do it’. It doesn’t matter what you have – if you can see your injury or even if you can’t – there’s always a place for you’
Coincidentally, Shaun was out riding when he heard he had been accepted as part of the Australian team to contest the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023.
“It was an amazing feeling to learn I’d been accepted as part of the team,” Shaun said.
“I want to challenge myself and meet like-minded people. The truth is my mental health got really bad and I turned into a hermit. To get out there and meet people and hopefully help others who think there’s nothing out there for them is a very big thing for me.
“I’d like to go out and say ‘you can do it’. It doesn’t matter what you have – if you can see your injury or even if you can’t – there’s always a place for you,” he said.
So far these Invictus Games, Shaun has been part of the celebrated Wheeling Diggers team which took home the bronze medal in wheelchair rugby and has tested his determination and resilience in the men’s IR6 four-minute indoor rowing endurance and one-minute sprint events. He also held a leadership role as captain of the rowing team.
“The Games have been even better than I could have imagined. To be totally honest, it’s all been a highlight,” Shaun said.
“The opening ceremony felt so surreal; just going out there and experiencing it. Going out on the rugby court for the first time too; well, every time honestly. Just having the crowd cheer and going out and representing my country and hearing my name called out, it’s an amazing feeling.
“But it has been tough and tiring. We are all pushing ourselves to do our best.
“When you get that pain, you just need to push through.
“I’ve got my niece and nephew, Maya (3) and Chase (7), watching the games from home on YouTube and my mum, Deborah, and her best friend, Alison, supporting me from the stands. For me, the team, my family and everyone watching keeps me going,” he said.
The Invictus Games are being held from September 9-16 in Dusseldorf, Germany. The Games use the power of sport to support rehabilitation and recovery of wounded, injured and ill serving and former serving military personnel from 21 nations.
