March 10, 2026
Family fun on offer at Invictus Australia Defence Community Sports Expo Lawn bowls will be featured at the 2nd Invictus Australia Defence Community Sports Expo. Photo: Alex Tinker.

Family fun on offer at Invictus Australia Defence Community Sports Expo

PORT Stephens’ heralded archers and paddlers are ready to educate patrons on the finer points of their sports at the upcoming Invictus Australia Defence Community Sports Expo in Newcastle.

Current and former serving members and their families will come together for the second annual event on Saturday 21 March at Stockton Bowls Club.

Offering a Come and Try format, the family-friendly expo will take place from 10am to 2pm.

Over 17 stands will cover Archery, Indoor Rowing, Mountain Biking, Lawn Bowls, Dragon Boating and more.

Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, try new activities, meet local Invictus representatives and get further involved.

Representatives from the Port Stephens Archers and Port Stephens Dragon Boat Club will be in attendance to promote their respective sporting organisations.

There will be face painting, music and sausage sizzle for a festival atmosphere plus ex-service organisation support including RSL Life Care, Disaster Relief Australia, Talk2MeBro, Kookaburra  Kids and more

Invictus Australia’s mission is to improve the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of veterans and their families through sport and recreation.

Event Organiser Jodie Blake, Invictus Australia’s Veteran Engagement Coordinator and a Navy Veteran, told News Of The Area of the importance of sport in Defence life.

“Defence life can be an incredible adventure but it also comes with challenges – deployments, relocations, and constant change,” said the gold medal-winning paddler with Port Stephens Dragon Boat Club.

“Sport provides not just physical benefits but also social connection, friendship and a sense of belonging.

“Finding your tribe through sport makes a huge difference in adjusting to Defence life.”

Attendance is capped, so guests are encouraged to secure their free tickets early via Eventbrite or by messaging Jodie via facebook.com/groups/invictusaustralianorthernnsw.

By Chris KARAS

You can help your local paper.

Make a small once-off, or (if you can) a regular donation.

We are an independent family owned business and our newspapers are free to collect and our news stories are free online.

Help support us into the future.