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Royal Navy submariner to lead Team UK at Invictus Games
31 March 2023
A Royal Navy submariner is to captain Team UK at this year’s Invictus Games.
Marine engineer Lieutenant Commander James Rogers lives with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a long-term autoimmune inflammatory arthritis condition, which affects his mobility, causing full-body pain and chronic fatigue.
He is returning for his second Invictus Games after competing in cycling and swimming events at The Hague in 2022.
James, who will lead the 59-strong team at the games in Dusseldorf in September, said: “A few years ago, I couldn’t go to the park with my kids, so I want to show them what I’m able to achieve now.
“Representing my country, and the Armed Forces, and to top it all off, being selected as Team Captain is an absolute honour and privilege.”
James took on cycling and swimming in the 2022 Games, where he took home a bronze medal in the cycling time trials. This year James wants to build on his achievements last year and continue being an inspiration to nine-year-old son Harry and six-year-old daughter Emily.
He will compete in cycling, indoor rowing, swimming and wheelchair basketball and will be joined by his older sister Rebecca, who is also competing for Team UK.
A few years ago, I couldn’t go to the park with my kids, so I want to show them what I’m able to achieve now
The Invictus Games, established in 2014, provides an opportunity for those who have suffered illness or injury during or as a result of their service to compete in a sporting environment as part of their recovery journey.
The RBL has been involved in Team UK since 2016, when it started supporting the friends and families of participants on their journey to the Games. This is the first year the charity is taking responsibility for delivering the whole team, participants included, to the Games alongside its partners, the MOD.
Minister for Defence People and Veterans, Dr Andrew Murrison MP said: “The Invictus Games is an inspiring example of how the resilience and discipline gained during a military career can be applied to the sporting arena.
“Being a part of Team UK is a rewarding opportunity for both our service personnel and Veterans who have all given so much to the Armed Forces community in keeping the nation safe.”
Other RN athletes named in the team are:
- Leo Buscombe, 34, Sports: Table Tennis
- Paul (Charlie) Charles, 45, (Royal Marines Veteran) Sports: Swimming
- Kenetha (Frankie) Franklyn, 39, Sports: Archery, Indoor Rowing,
- Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby
- Codey Morton, 28, Sports: Archery, Indoor Rowing, Sitting Volleyball
- Jay Saunders, 54, (Navy Veteran) Sports: Archery, Table Tennis
- Danielle (Dani) Stevens, 30, (Navy Veteran) Sports: Athletics, Powerlifting, Sitting Volleyball, Swimming
- James Wren, 27, Sports: Athletics, Indoor Rowing, Sitting Volleyball, Wheelchair Basketball
- Rebecca (Becky) York, 38, (Royal Marines Veteran) Sports: Cycling, Indoor Rowing, Powerlifting, Swimming
Among the team’s reserves are:
- Laura Brimson, 42, (Navy Veteran) Sports: Athletics, Indoor Rowing, Powerlifting
- Nicholas McNally, 52, Sports: Archery, Cycling, Indoor Rowing