Mike Mellon’s 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney ended with a third medal as a member of the Team UK basketball squad. At the previous Games in Canada Mike won silver and bronze but he leaves Australia as the only Scot in Team UK and with two silvers and one bronze medal. An amazing journey, incredible energy and commitment from the all rounder from the “village of Cardenden,” as 1984 GB Paralympian Andrew Brennan recently described his beloved home town.
RAF veteran Mick Mellon was medically discharged in 2005 from his role as a senior aircraftman. Michael targetted the 2018 Invictus Games as part of his ongoing recovery journey. Mike is a highly respected member of Disability Sport Fife and Dundee Dragons Wheelchair Sports Club. Mike applied and qualified to compete in the 2018 Invictus Games in sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby. Mike had already won silver medals for sitting volleyball and wheelchair rugby when he lined up in the Team UK basketball team.
Team UK defeated Australia in qualifying but a critical loss to the Netherlands by only 18 – 21 resulted in Team UK having the more challenging route to the final stages of the tournament. Netherlands topped the pool with 4 points and UK and Australia had 3 and 2 points respectively. Team UK was drawn against the mighty USA in the semi final and despite it being a match to remember and a wonderful performance by Mike and his colleagues, Team UK was on the losing end of 41 – 35 result. Netherlands progressed to meet USA in the final following a victory against New Zealand but lost by 17 – 29. Team UK defeated New Zealand 32 – 6 in the bronze medal match and added another excellent medal to their 2018 Invictus Team Games tally.
Well done Team UK and of course our own Mike Mellon. Brilliant support yet again from Help for Heroes. All of us back home are fiercely proud of all that you have achieved and all that you have sacrificed to excel in Australia. Your amazing wife and family must be so proud of you and deservedly so. Your journey is by no means complete and you have much more to offer Para sport and the Invictus movement as a competitor and ambassador. Safe home from “Down Under” and once again congratulations.
Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife