Lt Col David Groce, Chair of Armed Forces Rugby League, awarded OBE

January is shaping as another big month for Armed Forces Rugby League, with three teams preparing for First Round ties in the Betfred Challenge Cup, including an intriguing clash between the Army and the RAF in Aldershot on Saturday 11 January.

And 2025 has already kicked off with significant recognition for Lt Col David Groce, who is in his sixth year as Chair of Armed Forces Rugby League and was awarded the OBE in the King’s New Year’s Honours.

Unlike the quartet of more familiar Rugby League names who were included on the Honours List specifically for their services to the sport – or sport more widely, in the case of Leeds Rhinos owner Paul Caddick – Lt Col Groce has been recognised for his military service, having joined the Royal Logistic Corps in 2003, and previously received the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours of 2018.

Having served in Iraq, his more recent responsibilities as Commanding Officer of 7 Regiment have included a lengthy stint in Poland linked to the war in Ukraine, in addition to supporting the arrangements for Operation London Bridge encompassing the Queen’s funeral and the King’s coronation.

But having grown up in Beverley and become a Hull FC supporter after playing in a junior match at The Boulevard, he has also made an outstanding contribution to Rugby League in a variety of roles – representing the Armed Forces on the RFL’s Community Board as well as the RFL Council, and driving the development of the Soldiers League charity which supports former servicemen and women in attending major Rugby League fixtures such as the Challenge Cup Final.

Simon Johnson, the Chair of the Rugby Football League, said:

“On behalf of all in Rugby League, our congratulations to Lt Col David Groce for the award of the OBE.

“The development of Rugby League in the Armed Forces has been one of the success stories of the sport since the longstanding ban was lifted in 1994, and David has played a leading role in that for the last decade.

“We also congratulate two other members of the Army with links to Rugby League who have been recognised with MBEs: Sgt Alan Boyle and Sgt Merini Sevakasiga.

“We are grateful to the many others who contribute to Rugby League across the Armed Forces, and wish good luck to the three teams preparing for Challenge Cup First Round ties later this month.”

Lt Col David Groce OBE said:

“I feel fortunate and honoured to have received this award, just as I feel very lucky to be able to have such an involvement with the sport I love.

“As Chair of Armed Forces Rugby League, I’m also delighted to congratulate Sgt Alan Boyle and Sgt Merini Sevakasiga for their MBEs – Alan has played a huge role in the Army’s community engagement, and Merini has been instrumental in the development of the Armed Forces Women’s game.

“It’s been a challenging couple of years for various reasons, but as I said when I was asked to write something for my old school, Longcroft School in Beverley, I think I’ve now travelled to six of the seven continents and more than 50 countries – it’s staggering the opportunities that the Army can give you.

“I don’t think we should ever take for granted the progress of Rugby League in the Armed Forces after it was banned for so long. My playing experience was limited to competitions within the Army, and pretty much ended when I smashed my arm in 2005, but I have seen first hand how much it means to fellow servicemen to represent the Army in the Challenge Cup, and it’s the same for the other Forces – which means the game between the Army and the RAF should be a great occasion.

“I know there will be senior representation there from both the Army and the RAF as well as Alex Baker, the MP for Aldershot – and there is a big incentive for the winners with a game against Southern Conference League opposition in the Second Round, while the Royal Navy have the opportunity to earn a home tie against Workington Town if they can win at Mirfield.”

Photo: Lt Col David Groce OBE pictured at Rugby League’s annual Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph in London