This edition of Meet the Player, Meet the Sponsor is a little different. Rather than shining a spotlight on a business, we're celebrating one of the local rugby supporters who help make Eastbourne Rugby Club what it is.

Tom Lester has been part of Eastbourne RFC since the age of six, so it's fair to say the club is a big part of his life. Now 22, Tom plays at centre and has grown up through the club, building plenty of memories along the way. Supporting him this season is Joshua Martin, a local Financial Planning Consultant and keen rugby supporter who wanted to give something back to a club that plays such an important role in the community.

Meet the Player: Tom Lester

Having spent pretty much his entire rugby life at Eastbourne, Tom knows exactly what makes the club special. For him, it's all about the people and the shared spirit that brings everyone together.

Away from rugby, Tom enjoys getting involved in a range of other sports, particularly tennis, although he's also happy to admit he's quite partial to a trip to the pub!

Growing up, his rugby hero was Billy Vunipola. Watching him power through opposition players and bump people off like they were nothing clearly made an impression. When it comes to favourite Eastbourne memories, one moment stands out: beating Jersey Royals in their so-called 'redemption' game, thanks to a last-minute chip and chase from the captain. As Tom puts it, "In Blenner we trust!"

And if there's one person at the club who needs no introduction, it's Stuart Baker. Tom's answer to who makes him laugh the most was simply: "Stuart Baker, no explanation required."

Like many rugby players, Tom has his superstitions. His lucky pair of undershorts have been part of his matchday routine since his colt days, and he claims he hasn't won a game without wearing them for years.

If rugby wasn't keeping him busy, Tom's alternative plan would be to head to the Alps and spend as much time as possible on the ski slopes. For now, though, we'll keep him at centre in Eastbourne colours.

Meet the Supporter: Joshua Martin

Joshua Martin is a local Financial Planning Consultant who helps individuals, families and business owners make sense of their finances. His work covers everything from pensions and retirement planning to investments and financial protection, with an emphasis on making advice approachable and helping people feel more confident about their future.

Having worked in financial advice for over a decade, Joshua has built his business around personal service and long-term relationships. What he enjoys most is getting to know people and seeing the positive difference that good advice can make.

But this sponsorship isn't about promoting a business; it's about supporting something Joshua genuinely enjoys and believes in.

A rugby fan himself, Joshua wanted to get behind a local club that brings people together and saw sponsorship as a great opportunity to give something back. As he explains:
"Being local means those relationships often extend beyond a meeting, you see familiar faces around town and become part of the same community."

For Joshua, local clubs are an important part of what makes a community successful, and he is pleased to play a small part in helping Eastbourne RFC continue to thrive.

Looking ahead to the season, he's hoping for plenty of competitive rugby, the chance to get to know more people around the club and, of course, the opportunity to cheer on the player he's sponsoring.

His message to local businesses considering getting involved is simple: "Get involved. A great way to meet people, raise awareness of your business and help support local rugby."

And if he could invite one rugby legend to dinner? No surprises here – Jonny Wilkinson would be top of the list. Joshua would love to hear first-hand about that famous World Cup-winning kick and how he dealt with the pressure of such a huge moment.

A big thank you to Joshua for supporting Tom and Eastbourne RFC. It's supporters like him who help make our club and its wider community so special.