Reprinted from National Defence
2 April 2019 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
“I am thrilled to have been named Team Captain, very humbled, and 100% honoured to represent Canada at the 2019 Warrior Games along with all of my teammates. Training camp has been a great opportunity to reconnect with those in the military – I haven’t laughed as much in months as I have this week. Being part of this team means having others to lean on, looking out for one another, and just having fun! I can’t wait for the Games to begin and look forward to seeing everyone on our team smiling down in Tampa.”
Warrant Officer Damien Pittman, Team Captain, Team Canada 2019 Warrior Games
Team Canada has completed its training camp in Victoria, British Columbia, with members prepared to compete at the 2019 Warrior Games. This is the second year that Team Canada will participate in the competition that will take place June 21-30 in Tampa, Florida.
Lieutenant-General Stephen Bowes and Brigadier-General Mark Misener were among those who visited the camp to observe the training and offer their support to the Veterans and serving Canadian Armed Forces members on the team.
The goal of the Warrior Games is to enhance the recovery of ill and injured armed service members and Veterans through sport. The 39 members of Team Canada will compete in all 13 sports at these games, against more than 300 ill and injured armed forces members and Veterans from the U.S., U.K., Australia, Denmark, and the Netherlands. The participation of Team Canada is made possible through the Canadian Armed Forces’ Soldier On Program, in partnership with Invictus Games Toronto 2017 and Under Armour.
Thanks to the generosity of Canadians, Soldier On has disbursed more than $6 million directly to ill and injured members across the country in support of their recovery. If you wish to help support our serving members and Veterans, please visit https://www.soldieron.ca/ and click on Give Support.
Quick Facts:
- Team Canada’s 39-person contingent includes 22 serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and 17 Veterans.
- The team will represent Canada in all 13 sports at the Warrior Games: archery, cycling, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, track, field, wheelchair basketball, indoor rowing, powerlifting, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair tennis, and golf.
- The Warrior Games, established in 2010, helped inspire His Royal Highness Prince Harry of Wales’ creation of the Invictus Games. Both competitions are focused on the important role that sport can play in improving the lives of ill and injured armed forces members, Veterans, and their families.
- The Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group is a newly created formation that delivers professional, personalized, and standardized casualty support and transition services to CAF members and their families to enable a seamless transition and enhanced well-being with special attention provided to ill and injured personnel, their families and the families of the deceased. One of our most successful programs is Soldier On.
- The CAF’s Soldier On Program has supported close to 5,000 members since its inception more than 12 years ago and remains committed to supporting serving members and Veterans members with a permanent mental or physical injury to adapt to their new normal and overcome their challenges.
Editor’s Notes
Three members of the CME family are participating in these games.
- WO Damien Pittman is Captain of Team Canada. He has served in 2 CER, CSFME and 1 ESU. He currently lives in Kingston, ON.
- MCpl Stephan Jobin served in 5 RGC and lives in Quebec.
- OCdt Michael Briggs served in 3 FES and attended RRMC. He now lives in Ajax ON. Ajax Ontario.
BGen Mark Misener, also an engineer, is Commander Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group and Head of Mission for Team Canada.
