Combat Stress Peer Support Coordinators win medals at the Invictus Games
Military veterans Steve Sampher and Dave Argyle, our Peer Support Coordinators, have just returned from representing Team UK at this year’s Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany.
From 9-16 September, the pair competed as part of Team UK in both Wheelchair Basketball and Wheelchair Rugby,
Having beaten France in the semifinal of the Wheelchair Rugby, Team UK, after a hard fought battle against USA, narrowly lost 23-20 in the final, and picked up the silver medal.
Onto the Wheelchair Basketball, and after a string of impressive victories, Team UK again narrowly lost to USA in the semifinal (who went on to beat France in the final). Regrouping, Team UK put in a fantastic performance in their bronze medal match to beat ‘Team Unconquered’ (made up of German and Dutch players) 23-12.
A fantastic achievement to come home with two medals, and all of us at Combat Stress are incredibly proud of them and the whole of Team UK.
On the Invictus Games experience, Steve said: "A massive thank you for all the messages of support during the Games. It didn't just spur me on but the whole Team, to achieve some amazing results and goals.
"This wasn't just about winning, for some it was just about setting a goal and achieving it, something which the whole team did in spades!
“Massively humbled to be part of such a great group of people, thank you all again so much!”
On the Invictus Games experience, Dave said: “I feel very privileged and humbled to have been lucky enough to experience such an occasion alongside so many inspirational people. I went out there with no real expectations but was blown away by what ensued; walking out in front of a 20,000+ crowd at the opening ceremony set the scene for what was to be an amazing sport spectacle.
"My goal was to simply enjoy competing again and I did just that; playing in the wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball team; I pushed myself and we did as a team and after four days of competition we walked away with silver in rugby and bronze in basketball (for which I had the honor of being captain).
"With my 51-year-old body now in need of rest, I was able to put my feet up and give my full support to other competitors for the rest of the Games. It wasn’t always easy out there and it was the strong bond within Team UK that allowed us all to achieve our goals. The support both at the games and from home, spurring us on along the way was greatly received; to have shared this experience with family and friends was immense.
"I will savor this moment for evermore and I hope that others will be inspired to follow their dreams!"
