The Provincial Government proudly stands behind four of Newfoundland and Labrador’s own as they compete on the world stage at the 2025 Invictus Games. These exceptional athletes – Charles Arsenault, Andre Crocker, Melissa Norris, and Clifford Samms – represent not just Team Canada, but also the resilience, determination, and unwavering spirit of our province.

The Invictus Games is an international adaptive sporting event that highlights the power of sport in recovery and rehabilitation for wounded, injured, and ill service members and veterans. For Charles, Andre, Melissa, and Clifford, the Games are more than competition – they are a testament to their perseverance and a new chapter in their journey of healing.

• Charles Arsenault is a retired Mobile Support Equipment Operator who confronted post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and found new purpose representing his country through sport. He competes in swimming, alpine skiing, and wheelchair basketball.
• Andre Crocker is an Air Maintenance Superintendent with the Royal Canadian Air Force and has faced both physical and mental health challenges. He competes in Nordic skiing, indoor rowing, skeleton, and sitting volleyball.
• Melissa Norris is a former Navy Critical Care Nursing Officer who persevered through post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and military sexual trauma. She competes in wheelchair curling, alpine skiing, and swimming.
• Clifford Samms is a retired Air Maintenance Superintendent who turned to sports after his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis. He competes in sitting volleyball, alpine skiing, and swimming.

Each of these athletes has overcome significant challenges to reach this stage. Their participation in the Invictus Games highlights the resilience of service members and veterans, and Newfoundland and Labrador is proud to cheer them on.

More information on the athletes can be found in the backgrounder below. As they compete on the world stage, we encourage everyone to support our athletes and celebrate their achievements.

For more information on the Invictus Games, visit www.invictusgames2025.ca

Quotes
“The athletes representing Newfoundland and Labrador at the Invictus Games are a testament to the strength of our province and the values we hold dear. As they represent us on the world stage, they inspire us all with their courage and perseverance. Best of luck – we know you will do us proud.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“The Invictus Games provides an important opportunity for service members and veterans to showcase their personal strength in the face of adversity through sport and competition. We thank our Newfoundland and Labrador representatives for their service, their commitment, and we will cheer them on every step of the way.”
MHA Perry Trimper
Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier and Parliamentary Secretary for Veterans and Military Relations

BACKGROUNDER

 
Charles Philip Arsenault
Hometown: St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Motto/Tagline: “Where there is a problem, there is always a solution.”
Charles Philip Arsenault is a retired Mobile Support Equipment Operator (MSE OP).
He was posted to St. John’s, N.L., Petawawa, ON, Ottawa, ON, Valcartier, QC, Borden, ON, Kingston, ON, and Bagotville, QC. He was deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina (OP PALLADIUM), Kabul (OP ATHENA), Kandahar (OP ARCHER), and Kuwait (OP IMPACT). Some of his career highlights include completing the Advanced Technical Warrant Officer Program and gaining the title of Master Gunner and fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming a soldier to serve his country and help others.

Upon returning from Afghanistan in 2006, Charles found himself grappling with mental health issues. However, the societal stigma surrounding such issues made seeking help challenging. For over a decade, he concealed his struggles behind a facade of well-being. Charles’ journey highlights the profound impact of untreated PTSD and the complexities of acceptance. It took a diagnosis 12 years later to prompt him to seek help, a common experience for many struggling with mental health issues. The transition from activities he once enjoyed to finding them mentally exhausting is a poignant illustration of how PTSD can affect all aspects of life. His journey underscores the long and often arduous process of coming to terms with both mental and physical injuries incurred during service.

Charles was motivated to apply for the Invictus Games because of the positive impact that the Games have had on the team members in the past and belonging to a team with a common goal of healing and competing together. Being a member of Team Canada has re-ignited his passion for sports, allowing him to represent his country once again, and grow his support network. He is most grateful for his family who remind him about the joys and happiness life has to offer. Charles is also passionate in raising awareness within the CAF to help others who are struggling.

His lifelong lesson is that no matter how bad the day is going or how difficult it may seem, it is only temporary, and it does get better. It may feel like you are alone in this battle, but there are people who care for you and will help.

He will compete in swimming, alpine skiing, and wheelchair basketball

Andre Crocker
Hometown: Trout River, Newfoundland and Labrador
Motto/Tagline: “yes b’y”

Andre Crocker serves as an Air Maintenance Superintendent in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Andre has had three postings throughout his career: 12 Wing Shearwater 2001-2012; Cold Lake, AB 2012-2019; 12 Wing Shearwater 2019-present. He was deployed on Operation Active Endeavour 2006, Operation Savane and Operation Projection 2023.

His career highlights include participating in the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 2017 and participating in the annual Nijmegen March in the Netherlands in 2018. Along with his team, they completed the 173km march over 4 days. He is very proud of his promotions through the ranks, now serving as a Master Warrant Officer.

Andre’s injuries have had quite an impact on him, as he noticed changes in behaviour stemming from declining mental health. These changes have affected the dynamic within his family. Additionally, chronic mechanical pain has restricted his ability to perform even simple tasks, often requiring more time to complete them.

Despite these struggles, he names his family as what he is most grateful for in his life. His family inspires him with their patience, understanding and resilience in the face of adversity.

His motivations to apply to the Invictus Games come from his love of sport, and his perspective on personal growth and resilience. He aims to demonstrate to himself, his family, and his friends that injuries do not define limitations; one can adapt and maintain an active lifestyle despite them. His lifelong lesson is that it still can be difficult to maintain an active lifestyle as life often gets in the way.

“Only you know your limits and what you are able to do; starting small and progressing in your goals will lead to success.”

He will compete in Nordic skiing, indoor rowing, and skeleton and sitting volleyball.

Melissa Norris
Hometown: St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Motto/Tagline: “Life is short, and tomorrow is not promised – don’t be afraid to try anything and everything you can!”

Melissa Norris was a Navy Critical Care Nursing Officer posted in Halifax, NS. She has had postings in Petawawa, Borden, and Halifax. She has had several deployments including Operation Archer (2006) and Operation Athena (2008 and 2010) in Kandahar, AF.

Having been trained as a soldier and nurse, her career highlights include instructing across various ranks and roles within Health Services, contributing to both domestic and international missions from home, including combat deployments and humanitarian aid efforts for Pakistan, Haiti, Philippines, and Sierra Leone. Her greatest career highlight was reached at the Role 3 Multinational Medical Unit in Kandahar, AF. There, she had the honour of providing care to injured soldiers and offering comfort to the fallen in their last moments, assuring them they were never alone.

Motivated by witnessing former comrades thrive after participating in the Invictus Games, she was inspired to apply. The culmination of PTSD, a back injury, and enduring military sexual trauma pushed her into nearly two decades of physical and mental suffering, resulting in many mental and physical afflictions. She sees the Games as an opportunity to represent Canada once more, to reclaim physical activity with purpose, to challenge herself, overcome fears, and demonstrate resilience to her children.

Melissa is grateful for her family, friends, experiences, and health. Her lifelong lesson is that every event serves a purpose. Your experiences and responses shape your character and determine your path in life. Acting with love and kindness towards others leads to reciprocal treatment from the universe. Family is defined by your choices and is ultimately the most significant aspect of life. You reap what you sow; your efforts determine your outcomes.

She will compete in wheelchair curling, alpine skiing and swimming.

 

Clifford Samms
Hometown: Codroy, Newfoundland and Labrador
Motto/Tagline: “Anything worth doing is worth doing right the first time.”
Clifford Samms proudly served in the Air Force as an Air Maintenance Superintendent. He is now retired and originally from Codroy, NL and was posted to 14 Wing Greenwood, 4 Wing Cold Lake, 12 Wing Shearwater. Throughout his career Clifford was deployed all over the world with the CP 140 Aurora including Afghanistan, Sicily, France, Holland, Germany and many other countries.

Clifford represented the CAF at many National Sport competitions from Powerlifting to Softball. Sports have always been a major part of his life. He received multiple commendations from the CDS, CAS and Wing Comd’s for his involvement in the CAF sports programs and a professionalism Award through the Flight Safety Program. One of his fondest moments included receiving an email directly from General Hiller, for winning the Canadian National Powerlifting Championships, in 2006.

In 2021, he was diagnosed with PTSD and had to be released. “Being told I was no longer able to serve because of my injuries was devastating. I have a lot of anger problems which makes my family life difficult. I struggle being around people I don’t know. I deal with chronic pain daily in my lower back and various other joints.”

Clifford was inspired to apply for the Invictus Games by a close friend who previously competed. He is most grateful for his beautiful wife, Rebecca and two boys Ryan and Henry and believes, “They are what push me to be the best Husband and father I can be.”  His lifelong lesson is that life truly is short. Take the time to slow down and enjoy it. The rearview mirror is only a fraction the size of the windshield for a reason.

He will compete in sitting volleyball, alpine skiing, and swimming.