Ben Rahilly: Invictus games; a celebration of sport and humanity

In the ninth interview of our Annual Conference speaker series, we talk with Chief Operating Officer at Invictus Games Sydney 2018, Ben Rahilly.

Looking at everything that has and hasn’t worked in the sports marketing industry in the past year, whilst also showcasing major players, innovators and game changers disrupting the sports industry – these interviews will offer a preview to the kind of insights on display to administrators in November.

With the Annual Conference at QT Gold Coast on Thursday, November 15th drawing near, you can find more information about the event on our event page or for ticket purchases you can visit oztix here.

Ben joined the Royal Australian Navy in January 1998, graduating from ADFA in 2000 and serving in HMA Ships Brisbane, Launceston, Warramunga and Sydney. From 2006 to 2012 he worked within the Attorney Generals Portfolio providing security advice to Government.

He then joined Deloitte’s Strategy and Operations Practice in 2012 and in 2014 played a game of wheelchair rugby with Wallabies Captain Stephen Moore at the Darwin Soldier Recovery Centre, inspiring them to bring the Invictus Games Down Under.

Ben was seconded from Deloitte as the Chief Operating Officer of Invictus Games Sydney 2018 in January 2017.

1. What will you be covering during your presentation at the Ministry of Sports Annual Conference?

The presentation will:

• Give an overview of the Games
• Demonstrate the impact of the Invictus games on the lives of those involved
• Discuss Legacy centric approaches to events and how we supported the development of the Game’s legacy
• Discuss the opportunity for companies to move beyond traditional approaches to sponsorship by blending it with CSR

2. What are the key learnings that attendees will take away?

• An understanding of sport at its purest and it’s relevance for the major professional sports
• How sport can be a celebration of the human spirit
• The positive characteristics of former servicemen and women, particularly as potential employees

 3. Why is this presentation important for sports administrators right now?

The presentation will discuss the notion of purpose-driven events, designed with the legacy in mind and why this is attractive to corporate Australia, the public and lessons for major professional sports