TWO athletes from mid Wales are among six Welsh sports stars named in the UK team for the Invictus Games being held in Sydney later this year.

Steve Sebburn from Brecon and Alexandra McClellan from Ffynnon Gynydd, near Hay-on-Wye, will join the other members of the 72-strong UK squad when they fly out to Australia in October.

The Invictus Games, which are for wounded, injured and sick (WIS) military personnel, are the brainchild of Prince Harry and were first held in London in 2014.

Steve competed at the third Invictus Games, which were held in Toronto, Canada, in September last year.

Doctors had told Army veteran Steve that he would never run or cycle again as a result of back injuries he sustained after falling badly stepping out of a helicopter and brain injuries that resulted from a disastrous lumbar puncture operation.

However Steve proved them wrong by gaining selection for the 2017 Invictus Games at cycling and running.

The former Lance Corporal said competing at the Games gives him strength, focus and a sense of pride. He hopes it can inspire him to be fulfilled in his civilian job.

He said: “To see my family look at me in the team kit with such pride as they did when I wore the uniform just inspires me to try again. I have gained so much from the whole process and I know I will keep growing as a person, a veteran, a husband and a father through all Help for Heroes have invested in my family and I.”

Alexandra suffered a stroke and was discharged from the Army in 2014. The former Sergeant credits Invictus training camps with reigniting her desire to succeed and her passion for sport.

“Since the day my stroke happened I have never fitted anyone’s ‘criteria’,” she said.

“Over time I had become quite lonely, insular and disconnected with everyday emotion and motivation.

“Sitting on that rowing machine at an Invictus training camp I spent the first day trying not to cry as it was so overwhelming. But, I felt passion and such a desire to push myself and beat my own goals that has been missing for so long. The Invictus environment is one where you feel everyone is included – it feels liberating.

“I am learning how to build up my physical strength and am paying attention to how the camps make me feel mentally strong to help achieve the training. I aim to continue focusing on a challenge in the hope that I feel and look more like the old me again.”