Luke Manhire was injured in a motorcycle accident in 2022, resulting in an above knee amputation of his left leg. The serious nature of this injury meant Luke met the eligibility criteria for the Lifetime Support Scheme and was accepted as a participant.
Sports were a big part of Luke’s life when he was younger and following his motor vehicle injury, they became an important part of his rehabilitation.
“Since my accident in 2022, sports and hitting the gym have played a massive role in not only my physical health but mental growth,” Luke says.
Over the years, Luke played rugby union, rugby league and Aussie rules. Post injury, he discovered a range of new sports to try.
“I have engaged in so much more than I thought possible in my condition from adaptive ice hockey, basketball, rugby, volleyball and hours spent in the gym building mental and physical strength.”
As an Australian Defence Force veteran, Luke applied to compete at the Invictus Games, an international adaptive sports event for wounded, injured and ill veterans and serving military personnel. The Invictus Games aim to use sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and promote understanding for those who serve their country.
In February, Luke competed in the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada. The games brought together over 500 competitors from over 20 countries to compete in adaptive winter and summer sports. Luke competed in indoor rowing, skeleton and sitting volleyball.
The Australian seated volleyball team missed out on the semi finals but in the spirit of the Invictus Games which are about participating rather than winning, Luke celebrated the team’s progress including two victories over Team Unconquered and host nation, Canada.
“It was our first wins ever! The team’s come together really well considering how much training we’ve been able to do together as a team. You know, there’s obviously things we’re all going to learn and keep getting better but, all in all, I reckon we played well.”
Luke hopes that his sporting achievements inspire his four sons to be strong and resilient in the face of life’s hurdles.
“I’m conscious of the fact I’m setting my boys an example. It doesn’t matter what life throws at you or what age you might be, anything is attainable if you’re willing to put the hard yards in.”
In the future, Luke hopes to continue to share this message through motivational speaking.
