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2 June 2026  2 min read

Reading Rockets' dynamic duo enjoy Buckingham Palace party

The Berkshire club’s co-founders both received the Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for services to basketball and to charity back in March.

The duo have worked tirelessly since starting the Rockets in 1997 and enjoyed a trip to Buckingham Palace's Royal Garden Party with their children, Samantha and Matthew Johnson, late last month as part of the awards process.

The event was attended by His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla, plus Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.

Stalwarts of the English basketball scene, Reading has grown to one of the largest and most successful in the country, providing opportunities to generations of young players and forging bonds across the local community. 

The Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM), is a specific honour within the Order of the British Empire (OBE), instituted in 1917 for meritorious service, especially community-focused ‘hands-on’ work. 

Gary (middle) and Helen Johnson (middle right), plus Matt (left), wife Stephanie (middle left) and Samantha (right) 

Born in South Wales, Gary and Helen married in 1968 before work took the couple to Reading in 1975. As son Matt approached 13 and decided basketball was his game, Helen diligently took him to training and games at Bracknell, 10 miles away. 

Post-university, Matt played and did school coaching in the Bournemouth area before he had ‘a vision’ to serve his hometown. Mum and Dad were asked if they could help and Reading Rockets was established in 1997 with a senior and a junior team.  

Gary and Helen worked tirelessly to serve the town they called home as the club grew to offer community sessions and National League teams. 

The Rockets now have more than 1,000 children playing in community sessions each week, a development league, a junior section with 14 National League teams of all ages and both genders, wheelchair teams and SEN sessions, plus elite academy teams and links with universities.  

The senior men play in the newly formed British Championship Basketball (BCB), winning its inaugural championship in 2025/26.