Following the decision of Sam Rees to step down from playing and stand down as 1st XV Captain, Tom Marriott is stepping into the role for the season ahead.

Tom Marriott began his career with Sandown & Shanklin in the Summer of 2022, signing from Isle of Wight RFC and making his first appearances for the Club in the 2022/23 season. In the following two seasons of signing Tom has cemented himself as the first choice scrum-half and played a pivotal role in helping the team win the league and secure promotion from Counties 2 Hampshire, to Counties 1 in the 2023/24 season. Last season, saw Tom's versatility on show, as he stepped in at fly-half, fullback and occasionally centre, to help the Hurricanes secure their place in Counties 1 Hampshire for the 2025/26 season.

Newly elected 1st XV Captain, Tom Marriott, shared his thoughts on accepting the position:
“It’s a real privilege to be named 1st XV Captain for the upcoming season. Since joining the club three seasons ago from Isle of Wight RFC, I’ve been hugely impressed by the standard, commitment and intensity throughout the squad. There’s a brilliant energy around the club — especially on game days — and the support we get, both home and away, makes a real difference.

Last season was a tough one at times, with injuries and availability challenges, but to still cement ourselves in Counties One shows just how much potential there is in this group. We blooded a lot of young players in the 1st XV last year and there’s a real buy-in to how we want to play. The direction the club is heading in is really positive - and with the momentum we’ve built, we’re in a great position to push for promotion this year. I’m genuinely excited for what’s to come.”

There is also a new 2nd XV captain for Sandown & Shanklin RFC, in the 2025/26 season, as Jamie Dilk takes on the reins, with veteran Gary Warvill taking a step back from the captaincy role. Jamie reflected on his decision to skipper the 2nd XV for the new season, fresh off his appearances for the SSRFC Vets team at Twickenham in May:
"It’s an absolute honour to be leading the lads out as 2nd XV captain in my third season at Sandown & Shanklin. We have a brilliant group and the potential within the squad is really exciting to see, from the Colts progressing up senior rugby, to players battling for a spot in the 1st XV match day squads.The aim for the new season is to step it up a gear this, and gain that promotion we should have had last year!
For me personally having a new vice-captain like Nathan Proud at my side is really going to make a massive impact on the team. We both cannot wait to go out and show the league we mean business, and attempt to be nothing but the best from here on out!"

Sandown & Shanklin, Director of Rugby, Keith Wallace shared his views on the appointments of Tom and Jamie as his skippers for the forthcoming season:
"I'm delighted that Tom has accepted the role of 1st XV Captain. I've known Tom from our days at Vectis RFC and it's a privilege to see how far he has come on his rugby journey. The past season he was regularly shown to put the team's needs before his own by playing in a variety of positions. He gets on with all the lads and I am excited to see what he brings on and off the pitch on his leadership. It's great that Zak Chiverton will be reprising his role as vice captain for another year, he continues to be integral to driving standards both on and off the field.

I'm also pleased that Jamie Dilk will be continuing on as 2nd XV Captain, building on the fine work from last season. With so many lads debuting for the 1st XV, and the 2nd XV coming so close to winning the league last season, this season, we are aiming to go one step further and gain the promotion that has been eluding us for a few seasons now. He's going to be helped out this season by Nathan Proud, who is proving to be an ultimate club man. From assisting with photography, first aid, and general admin, to now taking on a leadership role within the group is great".

The Summer break is soon to conclude for the Hurricanes, as pre-season kicks off, on Tuesday 8th July. The session begins at 18.45, the Clubhouse opens from 18.00. It is set to be an exciting season which will all kick off in August with pre-season fixtures, followed by league season starting in September.