Horsham Lions will once again be playing in The Surrey County League Premiership for 2025/26 visiting a number of old foes in and around London. The Lions are an integral part of the club and with a very strong second team, the assurance of a competitive 1st XV is gained. This is most clearly illustrated by the fact that no less that 8 regular Lions XV players stepped up to play for the 1st XV in in both the league campaign at Regional 1 and in the final cup matches on our run to the National Semi Final in 2025. This has been a central theme for the club where youngsters are given their chance to impress allowing for a real sense of achievement across the squad. With a truly supportive squad culture, the 1s and 2s train, play and socialise together leading to a real sense of identity. Indeed with an average of 40 players representing the 1st team across a season, it shows just how important the second XV is to the club. Our recent efforts of building depth in the senior squad are starting to pay off with a number of exciting players looking set to push hard for starting spots in 2025/26, and with the majority of these home grown, it is a real testament to the clubs M&J section that these players are coming through to challenge at the higher levels play.

It promises to be an exciting year for the squad. Finishing 6th in the league, behind clubs whose 1st XV's play in higher leagues demonstrates the depth across the squad. In addition, our Lions will look to regain the Bob Rogers Cup and in doing so, look to return this to its rightful place. The target, will be to build on the league position against tough teams like Worthing 2s, Battersea Ironsides 2s and others. We have already arranged club days when the 1st XV and Lions will travel together to play their respective league fixtures and combined with an exciting away trip to Jersey, it promises to be a good year for the Lions.

Following a number of seasons with the Lions, Matt Stone has stepped away with his role taken on by club Stalwart Nick Bell who has started his coaching journey. He will be charged to ensure that the Lions get exactly the same experience on a Saturday that the 1st XV get and ensure that the playing aims and structures are met each week. Glen Jones remains as the Rugby Operations Manager, and will be supported by Adam Clarkson and again we are very focussed on making the Lions experience the best second XV experience in the league with a package that is accessible across the whole of the performance squad. Players who have missed out on 1st XV selection will undoubtedly be disappointed, but with Horsham Lions they will still get the development opportunity and more importantly the enjoyment from playing for a club that focuses on the whole squad rather than the 1st XV alone. The Lions have been instrumental in the recent performances of the club at 1st XV level and this continued optimism will be taken in the challenges ahead.