North Queensland para-athlete Ainsley Hooker will realise a long-held dream when she represents Australia in seated shot put (F57) at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland this July.
This breakthrough milestone is shaped by resilience, family support, and the backing of James Cook University's Veterans Physical Activity and Sports Performance Program.
Hooker has risen through the ranks of adaptive sport in recent years, competing at the Invictus and Warrior Games and the former Army truck driver said receiving confirmation of her Commonwealth Games selection was an unforgettable moment.
"We were told, 'Go to as many comps and events as you can. The further you throw, the higher your world ranking, and that's how you get selected,'" she said.
"But life got in the way. My father-in-law was unwell, and I couldn't travel, so I was just crossing my fingers that the throws I did in Canberra were enough.
"When the email finally came through, it was just, 'Wow, I did it.'"
While serving in the military, Hooker suffered what was initially diagnosed as a bad ankle sprain, which later proved to be torn ligaments and severe structural damage to her ankle and foot.
Years of unsuccessful surgeries, a heavy brace, and constant pain followed before she underwent a leg amputation in 2020 — a decision she said transformed her life.
"The joy that has come back to our family and the things that we can do has been incredible, life-changing," Hooker said.
"I can really say that having to lose a limb brought life back into the family."
Her return to sport was driven through adaptive sport pathways including the Invictus Games and strengthened through the support of JCU's exercise science and strength and conditioning staff, including program lead and her current strength coach, JCU Exercise Physiology senior lecturer Brian Heilbronn.
"Brian and JCU have been incredible supporters," Hooker said.
"They were with me from the start. They gave me the courage to keep going and showed me other ways of being able to do things.
"They had their students come in at the very start, and I loved that they were learning how to support other para-athletes in a gym environment.
"I've known Brian for so long now. We have done the new VIPER3 program together, which has brought in other veterans to show them that the gym is not limited.
"So when I told Brian I think I'm going to try for the Commonwealth Games, he was like, 'Yeah, let's do it.' He had no doubt that I could do it."
An Army veteran himself, Heilbronn established JCU's veteran program, which provides tailored training, performance testing, one-on-one coaching, and access to the University's Performance Science Hub in Townsville.
"Being selected for the Commonwealth Games is a tremendous achievement and we're all incredibly proud of her," Heilbronn said.
"We started working with Ainsley in 2023, so it's amazing to see her progress from where we began through to Commonwealth Games selection.
"Her dedication really shows. She keeps turning up and just gets stronger and more powerful.
"She's the perfect athlete, she does everything you ask her to do, listens to feedback, and takes it all on board really quickly.
"If she gets a medal, happy days, but as long as she gets a personal best, I'll be thrilled."
To help support Ainsley's journey to the Commonwealth Games, donations can be made here.
