Liverpool Lions: Preparing for the season ahead

When Fish Insurance began sponsoring Liverpool Lions just over a year ago, the newly formed wheelchair rugby team had one goal: To finish in the top half of the BT Super Series Division 3.

They certainly did that. In fact, Liverpool Lions remained undefeated for the entire season and scored promotion to Division 2.

In preparation for the season ahead, the team will take on three clubs from Division 2 – Ulster Barbarians, Canterbury and Gloucester – at an event organised by the Lions themselves, dubbed “The Lion’s Cage.”

Gloucester were Division 3 champions last year while Canterbury finished second in Division 2, but coach and team founder Martin Beddis isn’t daunted. He says: “We were undefeated last year, winning some convincing games and getting promoted, so we’re quietly confident about our chances. Only time will tell though, and we know we need to work hard. We’re looking forward to this tournament because it will give us a better idea of what we can expect from the season and Division 2.”

Scoring promotion last season was a remarkable achievement in itself, given that this time last year the team didn’t even exist. Martin puts it down to a mixture of both hard work and talent.

“Most brand new teams start with one or two experienced players, but between us all we have around 25 to 30 years of combined experience,” he explains. “Recruiting experienced players was part of our strategy for success but we train hard too. Most of our players train twice a week and we’ve been linking up with teams in Southport and North Wales for practice sessions.”

Division 2 will bring new challenges for the Lions. It will see them play more games than in Division 3 and they will face eight tough teams as they do battle for the title. So how does Martin fancy their chances?

“I would like to finish in the top four,” Martin says, “but our other coach is hoping for top two! We’ll see. We certainly have the experience and the speed, but we’ll know more about what we can expect from the other teams after this tournament.”

As both proud sponsors and supporters of Liverpool Lions, we’re excited about the season ahead here at Fish Insurance. Whatever the outcome of the Lion’s Cage, we’ll be honoured to see our name on the Lions’ shirts as they take on Division 2 in October – and we’re tipping them for the top.

You can keep up to date with Liverpool Lions on Twitter @LIVLIONSWRC and on Facebook.