The UKAF WhRL ANZAC26 tour provided a unique, outstanding life-enhancing opportunity, to participate at the highest level, against our NRL Australian Military Wheelchair Rugby League (RL) counterparts, linked to their National Day of Remembrance.
Considerable risk and uncertainty were overcome to get to Australia, literally right up to last minute. We remained both flexible and totally committed.
Our 4 key objectives on the tour were:
1 - Success in the inaugural fixture v the NRL Australian Military Wheelchair RL team on Sun 26 Apr 2026, where performance was the priority.
2 - Attendance at the Dawn Service & Parade on ANZAC Day Sat 25 Apr 2026 at Pine Rivers Returned & Services League (RSL).
3 - Engagement with and games v SE Queensland Wheelchair RL on Sun 19 Apr 2026 at PCYC Lang Park, where participation was the priority.
4 - Attendance at the ANZAC Brisbane Broncos v Canterbury Bulldogs game on Fri 24 Apr 2026.
Other highlights included attendance at the Gold Coast Titans training session on the morning of Thu 23 Apr 2026, followed by our player ANZAC26 tour shirt presentation by Brian McDermott, who had just been announced as the England Head Coach, for the Rugby League World Cup in Australia.
Training was arranged at the Morayfield State High School gym a.m. Fri 24 Apr 2026 where we engaged a selection of students during and after training. We then attended the school ANZAC Day Service, which was impressive and very moving.
We attended the great Brisbane Broncos v Canterbury Bulldogs ANZAC fixture on the night of Fri 24 Apr 2026 at Suncorp Stadium, where the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Broncos put on a superb pre-game ANZAC Service and parade.
We played the inaugural Test match v the NRL Australian Military Wheelchair Rugby League side on Sun 26 Apr 2026. Brilliant game. Final score 48 - 46 win for the Aussies.
Classic Aussies - never say die. Behind for most of the game and came back, with a penalty in last minute to win the game.
The UKAF WhRL ANZAC26 Team was hosted by Queensland Wheelchair Rugby League, the Australian NRL Wheelchair Rugby League and Wheelchair Rugby League Australia. We have made some great Australian contacts and friends, as well as reuniting with old Army RL comrades who were in Australia.
Chris and Steph Brown our Treasurer & Asst Treasurer travelled out to Australia free running, to support the tour over the last weekend. Sean Fanning, the visionary founder of Soldiers League and UK Armed Forces WhRL, also travelled to Australia free running, supporting the ANZAC26 Tour for the duration, covering all his own expenses. He acted as the Tour Transport lead, driving the Tour Bus and as the Advance Party & Rear Party, ensuring we arrived and departed Australia in good order, doing whatever needed to be done. Sean was also a generous individual tour sponsor. Outstanding efforts of support.
The UKAF WhRL ANZAC26 Tour was funded by generous support from the Soldiers League Charity, personal contributions and the support of sponsor organisations and individuals.
The UKAF WhRL ANZAC26 Team are hugely appreciative of our generous sponsors and thank all who made such a critical contribution to the success of the ANZAC26 Tour.
SPONSORS – THANKS IN APPRECIATION
Collective tour sponsors - organisation leads include:
Dave Groce & the ExCo - Soldiers League Charity
Jason Helas - JDT Utilities
Craig Ogden - Conntrak Catering Services
Julian Forsyth & Hugh Bodington - ARTEC Boxer UK
Leon Ashworth & Rich Yeomans - 1st Contracts Yeomans Projects
Gaz Tucker & Jane Cattaneo - Network Training Partnership
Andy Burdon - Powder Monkey Group UK
Ben Twomey - Powder Monkey Australia
Ian Pybus - Minster Lions Club York
Rich Heaton - Civforce Traffic Management
Doug Wilson - Worksite Workwear
Collective tour sponsors - individuals:
Rich Naivalurua
Steve Garside
Sarah Garside
Lisa Wells
Dawn Shore
Sean Fanning
Steve Sampher
Elaine & Andrew Dunwell
Mandy & Sek Takavesi DCM
SUMMARY
Again, thanks to all our generous sponsors and those who engaged as 3rd parties initially on our behalf. I would particularly like to thank Mandy & Sek Takavesi DCM who have donated items for auction to raise funds for the Soldiers League Charity and in support to the ANZAC26 Tour.
The first item will be auctioned via the Soldiers League Website online, beginning at our Soldiers League Black Tie, Road-To-Wembley Charity Dinner, at the Victory Services Club (VSC) on Fri 29 May 2026: A limited-edition framed print, number: 13/200, The Battle of Mirbat, by Graeme Lothian, (75.5cm x 51.5cm). Signed in 2018, by Sek (Tak’) Takavesi DCM SAS and the available, remaining SAS survivors of the battle, which took place on 19 Jul 1972. Fijian Sgt Talaiasi (Laba’) Labalaba BEM MID SAS, most gallantly lost his life in The Battle of Mirbat, where fellow Fijian and close comrade, Sek Takavesi DCM SAS was also gravely wounded. The Battle of Mirbat was an exemplar of “mateship”, a phrase associated with ANZAC. “Mateship” is also the essence of the Soldiers League Charity and the inclusive forms of Rugby League and associations we support, in line with our charitable purposes.
The UKAF WhRL ANZAC26 tour was a positive life-enhancing experience for everyone involved. That was the primary aim. You had to be there.
Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Rich Naivalurua MBE
Chairman UKAF WhRL & Tour Manager.
Vice President of the Soldiers League Charity.
