Royal Navy technician Josh has a major role in rugby cup final
A SAILOR with a passion for rugby will step out onto the field to represent queen and country tomorrow.
Leading Engineering Technician Josh Coupland, from HMS Sultan in Gosport, will be joining up with fellow Royal Navy, RAF and Army service personnel to provide wreath bearers, trophy carriers and a ceremonial party for the 2019 Rugby League Challenge Cup final at Wembley.
The match, between Warrington Wolves and St Helens, will also see His Royal Highness, The Duke of Sussex, present the trophy to the winners.
Josh was selected in recognition of his own sporting achievements, having represented the Royal Navy and UK Armed Forces at home and abroad since joining the navy in 2015.
An avid fan of Hull, Josh was hoping to cheer on his team in the final, but was left disappointed as they lost out to Warrington in the semi-finals.
Josh, who was recently promted to Leading Engineering Technician, said: ‘I honestly can’t wait to represent the Royal Navy.
‘I’ve got friends who have done it before and to walk out in a sport that you love and to be wearing the Royal Navy uniform means so much to so many people and makes me feel proud of what we do.
‘I went to the semi-final already knowing that I had been selected. I was just sat there so nervous, thinking how much it would mean to hand out the medals to members of my own team, but I guess I won’t need to worry about the result so much now.
‘I can just relax a little more now and enjoy seeing two great teams going head-to-head.’