Part of the Etc.
Stockton Riverside College’s own Invictus gold medallist is off to do it all again after being selected to represent the UK at the Invictus Games Orlando 2016.
Dad-of-two, Seveci Navelinikoro, will not only defend his sitting volleyball gold medal but has also qualified for wheelchair rugby, shot put and discus.
Among the 110-strong team of wounded, injured and sick service personnel chosen to represent the UK in Orlando next month, Nav said: “It is an amazing opportunity.
“The main thing for me is being able to show people it is not the end of the world when you get injured, another door always opens.”
Inspiring others is the day job for Nav who as a Prince’s Trust Assistant Team Leader at Stockton Riverside College works with groups of young unemployed to help them move on to education, employment or training.
Given his own background he is well placed to motivate and encourage young people to overcome the odds.
A former British Army soldier, Nav’s life was changed forever when he was blown from his vehicle by an IED explosion in Afghanistan in 2012.
Suffering a mild brain trauma, loss of hearing in one ear and extensive nerve damage to his lower back, left hip, knee and ankle, he spent two and a half years in rehabilitation.
Having previously been a keen sportsman and suddenly struggling to even pick up his own young children he said: “It was tough for me to come to terms with.”
But it was with support from the military and Help for Heroes that Nav was able to get his life back on track and ultimately started playing sport again.
Finding himself a dab hand at sitting volleyball he qualified for the inaugural Invictus Games in London 2014, bringing home a gold medal.
He is now looking forward to making a return to the games which are due to take place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, next month.
Nav and his fellow competitors were invited to Buckingham Palace for the official unveiling of the UK team by Prince Harry, Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation.
The Invictus Games is an international sporting event founded in 2014 for wounded, injured or sick servicemen and women.
Nav is one of four current and former Help for Heroes soldiers working with Stockton Riverside College on the delivery of their Prince’s Trust Team programmes, a 12-week personal development programme helping give unemployed young people aged 16 to 25 the skills, confidence and motivation to get back in to work, training or education.
Click here for details about all of our Prince's Trust Team courses.
Dad-of-two, Seveci Navelinikoro, will not only defend his sitting volleyball gold medal but has also qualified for wheelchair rugby, shot put and discus.
Among the 110-strong team of wounded, injured and sick service personnel chosen to represent the UK in Orlando next month, Nav said: “It is an amazing opportunity.
“The main thing for me is being able to show people it is not the end of the world when you get injured, another door always opens.”
Inspiring others is the day job for Nav who as a Prince’s Trust Assistant Team Leader at Stockton Riverside College works with groups of young unemployed to help them move on to education, employment or training.
Given his own background he is well placed to motivate and encourage young people to overcome the odds.
A former British Army soldier, Nav’s life was changed forever when he was blown from his vehicle by an IED explosion in Afghanistan in 2012.
Suffering a mild brain trauma, loss of hearing in one ear and extensive nerve damage to his lower back, left hip, knee and ankle, he spent two and a half years in rehabilitation.
Having previously been a keen sportsman and suddenly struggling to even pick up his own young children he said: “It was tough for me to come to terms with.”
But it was with support from the military and Help for Heroes that Nav was able to get his life back on track and ultimately started playing sport again.
Finding himself a dab hand at sitting volleyball he qualified for the inaugural Invictus Games in London 2014, bringing home a gold medal.
He is now looking forward to making a return to the games which are due to take place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, next month.
Nav and his fellow competitors were invited to Buckingham Palace for the official unveiling of the UK team by Prince Harry, Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation.
The Invictus Games is an international sporting event founded in 2014 for wounded, injured or sick servicemen and women.
Nav is one of four current and former Help for Heroes soldiers working with Stockton Riverside College on the delivery of their Prince’s Trust Team programmes, a 12-week personal development programme helping give unemployed young people aged 16 to 25 the skills, confidence and motivation to get back in to work, training or education.
Click here for details about all of our Prince's Trust Team courses.
