Blenheim man ready for round two at Invictus Games
New Zealand Army Staff Sergeant Nick Marfell can’t wait to compete again at the Invictus Games.
The Invictus Games is the only international adaptive sporting event for wounded, injured and ill active duty and veteran service members. This year’s event, in Toronto, Canada, from 23–30 September, will be the largest yet, with 550 ill and injured servicemen and women from 17 allied nations — including 24 from the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) — competing in 12 adaptive sporting events.
Staff Sergeant Marfell, who grew up in Blenheim, competed at the 2016 Invictus Games and will compete again this year in golf, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby.
He lost his hearing while serving in Afghanistan and is now deaf in his right ear. Despite also suffering from a severe form of tinnitus — ringing in the ear — because of the sudden loss of hearing it has not stopped him from continuing to succeed.
“Having been introduced to the Invictus Games last year in Orlando in the United States, I certainly wanted to be part of that amazing experience again this year,” he said.
“With the inclusion of golf at this year’s Games I saw it as an opportunity to set some new goals.”
It had been great mixing with the NZDF team and other NZDF comrades, he said.
“Hearing the experiences of others, their highs and lows, helps put my own struggles into perspective. I have now formed a solid foundation of friends whom I can call on if I ever need help.
“The Invictus Games has given me that opportunity back to be part of a team environment. Mixing with other nations and meeting new inspirational people will be a lifelong memory to cherish.”
The Games use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate awareness of the physical and psychological injuries sustained by wounded warriors.
The NZDF team is sponsored by the Auckland RSA, Christchurch Memorial RSA, Fulton Hogan, BLK and Offlimits Trust.
Throughout the Games the team’s journey can be followed on:
NZDF Invictus Team Facebook: facebook.com/InvictusGamesNZ
NZDF Invictus Team Instagram: @nzdfinvictusteam
NZDF Twitter: @nzdefenceforce
Staff Sergeant Nick Marfell’s journey, as told by Attitude TV, can be viewed at: https://attitudelive.com/watch/Invictus-Nick
