VESPA was conceived and launched by its Founding Director, Gary “Curtis” Steiger, who served 30 years in the British and Australian Navies and is an ADF Biathlete himself. He recognised, after discussion with renowned Australian traumatic stress researcher and Associate Professor Dr Miranda Van Hooff, how the challenge of biathlon would present the perfect pleasureful toil for those of a certain mindset; particularly ADF Veterans forced to discharge medically. In 2019 Curtis took Australia’s first-ever competitive Parabiathlete, Mark Daniels, to the ADF Championships as a proof of concept. Since then we have, directly or indirectly, started 3 parabiathletes on track for the 2026 winter Paralympics. Now that the ‘big boys’ of the sport have finally been able to take on the elites, VESPA have returned to our roots and the wellbeing biathlon scene.
Jordan Box worked with Defence from 2007 and served between 2013 and 2017, spending most of his time in the Vice Chief of Defence Force Group. In February 2020 he attended the ADF Adaptive Sports Program at the Allied Winter Sports Camp in Whistler, Canada. Jordan joined VESPA in October 2020 and is our finance approver.
Based in Adelaide, we are looking to extend, or partner, nationally in order to allow ADF members, Veterans and First Responders across Australia to take part in this most-thrilling and rewarding sport.
If you are a Nordic Ski Coach, Guide, are interested in supporting or are serving ADF, a veteran, First-responder or family of these, and would like to try Biathlon, give us a shout via email or mobile.
VETERANS AND EMERGENCY SERVICES PARABIATHLON AUSTRALIA 