Mackay’s Callan McLean named in multiple sports in Australia’s Invictus Games team

A veteran who came out of the service ‘quite defeated’ and struggled to adjust to civilian life has found new purpose in adaptive sport.

A veteran who came out of the service “quite defeated” and struggled to adjust to civilian life has found new purpose in adaptive sport.

Mackay’s Callan McLean, 29, will head to Whistler for the Invictus Games, competing in swimming, biathlon, sitting volleyball and wheelchair rugby.

When Bilateral cartilage issues in both knees and multiple musculoskeletal injuries prematurely ended his career in the navy and recreational sport, he wanted to find a way to re-engage for his physical and mental health.

Invictus Games 2025 Team Australia competitor Callan McLean.

Now, the former maritime logistics chef and physical training instructor will represent his country on the world stage with 32 other Australians.

“I wasn’t overly confident about being interviewed, let alone being selected, to be honest,” he said.

Invictus Games 2025 Team Australia competitor Callan McLean receives coaching on a biathlon laser rifle from Petty Officer Peter Sutton during a training camp held at the Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, ACT.

“I have struggled quite a lot adjusting to civilian life and find it hard to assimilate with people who haven’t had any sort of military experience or who don’t understand the military.

“For me, being back in an environment with people in a similar position or of a similar background was my main motivation.

“I wanted a mindset change to apply to my life and to try and point my rehab in a better direction. I think I came out of the service quite defeated in my approach to physical activity and sport because of my injury.

Invictus Games 2025 Team Australia competitors Jake Christie (left) and Callan McLean dive in to the pool for a time trial as part of a training camp held at the Australian Institute of Sport, in Canberra.

“Already this experience has given me a very different perspective in terms of my ability, not only in competing or partaking in adaptive sport, but also in my approach to how I view sport, fitness and physical activity in relation to my mental health.”

Mr McLean, who is the volleyball team captain, is relishing his chance to return to a competitive physical environment with like-minded people.

“Our team is made up of people who all work on the same wavelength. Even though everybody has their own physical and mental injuries or conditions, we’ve been able to train together and get to know each other,” Mr McLean said.

“Sure, it will be physically and mentally challenging. Getting myself to the point where I can compete with everybody else and feel comfortable doing so is probably the most exciting part for me.”

Invictus Games 2025 Team Australia competitor Callan McLean during a biathlon training session held at Mt Stromlo, Canberra, in the lead up to the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.

Just as exciting for this devoted family man is knowing his wife Shana, sons Xavier and Charles, and family friend Isabella will be watching from the stands.

“I’m obviously quite proud of the fact that I served in the navy, but to be able to talk about this experience with my boys in the future will be awesome,” Mr McLean said.

“I think being able to look back on this whole thing and use it as an example as a father would be quite valuable.

“You know, not everything is going to work out in life sometimes, and that’s OK.

“But those conversations are still a long way off at the moment. My nearly three-year-old is just so excited to be going on an aeroplane. That’ll probably be his biggest memory from this.”

The Australian Defence Force is partnering with Invictus Australia to support the Australian team as they take part in 11 adaptive sports over eight competition days from February 8 to 16 as part of Invictus Games Vancouver, Whistler, 2025.

Originally published as Mackay’s Callan McLean named in multiple sports in Australia’s Invictus Games team