Wallabies captain Stephen Moore is helping bring the Invictus Games to Australia, with the 2018 event confirmed to be held in Sydney.
Moore first became interested in the concept, which are held for disabled current and former military personnel, when he was recovering from a knee injury in 2014.
“I was doing a bit of work in Australia with Deloitte and we went up and visited one of the soldier recovery centres in Darwin,” he said.
Proud to have @qantaswallabies Captain @stevemoore83 as an ambassador for the #InvictusGames in #Sydney in 2018 #WeLoveOurSport #IG2018 #IAM pic.twitter.com/ojyTMW8Ani
— InvictusSydney (@InvictusSydney) November 12, 2016
“At that time, the first version of the Invictus Games was happening in the UK and we had a chat and said: 'Why can't we try and bring it to Australia?’.”
More than two years on, everything became official last week when Moore met Prince Harry and passed on a very Australian gift.
“There was a surfboard exchange ... I don't imagine he has too many surfboards lying around (the palace) so maybe he might be able to throw that in the suitcase when he comes over.” Stephen Moore
“There was a surfboard exchange ... I don't imagine he has too many surfboards lying around (the palace) so maybe he might be able to throw that in the suitcase when he comes over (for the Games),” Moore said.
“That's part of showcasing Sydney with all its beaches and the harbour and I imagine we'll incorporate some water sports into the agenda.”
The 113-Test hooker said the Games showed the power of sports when it came to overcoming physical and mental illness and injury.
“It's something that I'm quite passionate about," Moore added. "Having been involved in sport most of my life and seeing through not just myself but my teammates, the power of sport (plays) as a part of the healing process,” he said.
“I think the whole concept of the Invictus Games embodies that whole spirit of sport being a vehicle to recover from injuries, not just physical but mental as well."
Most significantly, though, Moore said the games were a vehicle to help competitors
"The thing that's important is the benefit it gives the athletes and their families ... the benefits to those people in terms of their healing process, that's why I got involved and why I'm passionate about it,” he said.
“It's not a competitive thing, it's about taking part and participating - that's the real essence of it.”
“It's not a competitive thing, it's about taking part and participating - that's the real essence of it.”
Australia was one of 13 countries to compete in the inaugural 2014 Invictus Games, held in London, before last year’s Florida games.
Toronto will host the games in 2017, before Sydney takes the reins in 2018, with the final list of sports to be confirmed, as each host city has some say on adding or removing events.
Many of the current Wallabies squad have relatives with links to the military and Moore said it was an important relationship to embrace.
“I think it's a big part of our identity as a country, our military history and this is a great way to be able to recognise that,” he said.
The Wallabies and Scotland will wear poppies on their jerseys this weekend, as part of Remembrance Day acknowledgements.