The GSF Rugby Sports Awards 2025 took place on the evening of Wednesday, 16 April 2026, bringing together athletes, coaches, volunteers and community supporters for a vibrant celebration of sporting excellence and dedication across Rugby and the surrounding area.
Held in a lively and well-attended ceremony, the annual event recognised outstanding achievements across a wide range of sports, highlighting not only elite performance but also the powerful role grassroots sport plays in strengthening the local community.
Honouring Local Talent
The awards shone a spotlight on individuals and teams who have demonstrated exceptional commitment, skill and perseverance throughout the past year. Categories ranged from Young Sports Personality of the Year and Team of the Year to Coach of the Year and Unsung Hero, ensuring that contributions at every level of sport were acknowledged.
Young athletes were particularly well-represented, with several rising stars earning recognition for their impressive performances and promising futures. Their achievements reflect the strength of youth development programmes in the area and underline Rugby’s reputation as a hub for sporting talent.
Special Guest – Erin Kennedy OBE
Adding prestige to the occasion was special guest Erin Kennedy OBE, Paralympic gold medallist and world champion rower. Erin is a coxswain with the GB Rowing Team and won her first World Championship in 2018 with the mix 4+.
In May 2022, Erin was diagnosed with breast cancer but flew out to the world cup in Serbia the following day to complete. Despite being on chemotherapy at the time she competed ion and won the European championships in August 2022, before taking a break from rowing to focus on her treatment. Erin made her return to international competition in May 2023 exactly a year to the day after her diagnosis, following recovery from a double mastectomy just four months earlier.
Erin was awarded and MBE for services to Rowing in 2022 New Year Honours List and subsequently an OBE for Services to Rowing and Breast Cancer Awareness in the 2024 New Year Honours List.
Celebrating Dedication Behind the Scenes
While much of the applause focused on athletes, the evening also paid tribute to those who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Volunteers, organisers and coaches were honoured for their invaluable contributions, often carried out quietly but with a lasting impact on local sport.
The Unsung Hero category drew some of the loudest applause of the night, as attendees recognised the dedication of individuals who give their time and energy to support clubs, events and participants of all ages.
Team Spirit and Community Impact
Team achievements formed a central part of the celebrations, with several local clubs recognised for their success during the 2025 sporting season. From youth squads to senior teams, winners demonstrated not only competitive excellence but also teamwork, resilience and sportsmanship.
Beyond results, the awards highlighted sport’s wider role in promoting health, inclusion and community cohesion. Several nominees were commended for initiatives that have increased participation levels and made sport more accessible to people of all backgrounds.
Inspirational Stories
A recurring theme throughout the evening was inspiration. Many of the winners shared stories of overcoming challenges—whether returning from injury, balancing sport with education or work, or supporting others through difficult times.
These stories resonated strongly with the audience, reinforcing the idea that sport is about more than winning—it is about growth, determination and community.
A Night to Remember
The atmosphere throughout the event was one of pride and celebration. Friends, families and teammates gathered to support nominees, creating a sense of unity that reflected the spirit of Rugby’s sporting community.
Organisers praised the high standard of entries this year, noting that the selection process was particularly competitive due to the quality and diversity of nominations.
Looking Ahead
As the evening concluded, attention turned to the future. With strong participation, emerging talent and dedicated volunteers, the outlook for sport in Rugby remains highly positive. The awards served not only as a celebration of past achievements but also as motivation for continued success in the years to come.
The GSF Rugby Sports Awards once again demonstrated the power of sport to inspire, connect and uplift communities—ensuring that the legacy of the 2025 awards will be felt long after the trophies have been presented.
Rugby Sports Awards winners:
Excellence in sports:
Matilda Bean – Athletics
Grace McCollin – Athletics
Isabelle Knight – Athletics
Charlie Cook – Javelin
Isabel Brand – Swimming
Eva Angel – Artistic Gymnastics
Frankie Klym – Artistic Swimming
Lola Huett – Artistic Swimming
Keva Ennis – Artistic Swimming
Ryan Timms – Gymnastics
Fin Calder - Hockey
Young volunteer of the year Award:
Alex Evans – Rugby & Daventry Fencing Club
Lauren Tosh – Warwickshire Schools Badminton Association
Oliver Wetherall – Rugby Borough FC
The Unsung Hero Volunteer Award:
Thomas Hartshorn – Rugby & Daventry Fencing Club
Aneel Khanna – Rugby Phoenix Volleyball Club
Patrick Griffiths – Old Laurentians RFC
The Get Active Award:
Garry Townsend Kennedy - Fitness
Simon Warwood Memorial Award for Young Team Of The Year:
Rugby Borough FC U15 – Football
RANAC YDL Lower Age Group Team – Athletics
RSC Artistic Swimming Youth Free Team
Young Sports Person Of The Year Award:
Isabel Brand – Swimming
Eva Angel – Artistic Gymnastics
Hari Clark – Sailing
Mark Gallagher Memorial Award for Coach Of The Year:
Steve Turner – Rugby Badminton Coach
Rob Parsons – Rugby & Daventry Fencing Club
Andy Burston – Rugby Triathlon Club
Sportswoman of the year:
Eve Young – Artistic Swimming
Kimberly Woods – Rugby Canoe Club
Sportsman of the year:
Jonathon Ingram – Wind Surfing
Robert O’Conner - Cycling
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Jeff Aspin
GSF Awards:
Isabel Brand
Charlie Cook
Eva Angel
Fin Calder
Frankie Klym
Grace McCollin
Isabelle Knight
Keva Ennis
Lola Huett
Matilda Bean
Ryan Timms
Josh Faulds
Anna Farrow
Flynn Ridgway
Joseph Rowe
Millie Irish
Benjamin Vural
Charlotte Gower
Harrison Nash
Isabel Brand
Joe Walden
Hari Clark
Jessica Powell
Aaron Lee
Alex Stainton
Amelie Jeary
Annette Parker
Archie Gordon
Beatrice Banks
Ben Angell
Benjamin Wyle
Bradley Whitehead
Cameron McGregor
Camiah Bennett
Catherine Reekie
Charlotte Bowers
Chloe Pallett
Christina Kapiris
Craig Christian
Craig Murch
Damilola Ajagunna
Darcey Ridgway
Darcey Townsend
Deborah Murch
Edward Faulds
Ellena Ruddock
Elliott Godfrey
Elsa Gordon
Emily Elden
Emma Olifent
Ernest Kisel
Esme du Bois
Esther Hutchins-Morant
Eunice Okpekpe
Eve Young
Fabian Powell
Gemma Knight
Georgina Stoddart
Giane Marsella
Imogen Ravenhall
Iris Bingham
Isabel Mur Garcia
Isabella Banks
Isla Kendall
Jack Arbuthnott
Jacob Spencer
Jacob Vural
Jake Minshull
Janelle Quinn
Jasmine Jessamy
Joel Benton
Joseph Comerford
Joyce Williams
Julie Bowler-Smith
Kevin Ian Murch
Lila Bisset
Lucy Boyes
Lucy Marshall
Luke Turner
Maia Thompson
Marvric Pamphile
Merryn Hutchins-Morant
Naomi Kabalika
Nina Nkpey
Noah Dale
Numeiri Saeed
Olivia Monk
Oscar Rowe
Poppy Williams
Rebecca Eaton
Richard Bowers
Riley Michaels
Ross Turner
Ruth MacCallum
Sally Hine
Sandra Anstruther
Sara Bolderston-Bowers
Savannah Morgan
Stanley Sage
Tom Tyler
Tyra Watson
Valentina Kapiris
Wayne Jones
