Talented Islanders Selected For Red Funnel Sponsorship

Thursday, 16 January 2025 15:07

By Dominic Kureen @WriteOnDom

Red Funnel has announced a new cohort of sponsored Island residents.

The company has introduced 15 ‘Island Ambassadors’ and 12 ‘Supported Teams’ – each selected to represent Red Funnel and the Isle of Wight as they compete and perform off Island in 2025.

Following the opening of applications in November, the company received over 100 requests to join the sponsorship programme.

Successful applicants benefit from travel support to the mainland, helping them to take their talent from local to national, international or even global status.

Speaking on the comprehensive decision process, Red Funnel CEO, Fran Collins, said:

“It’s inspiring to have received so many applications from such talented Islanders of all ages, backgrounds, and fields.

"Deciding the final line up was an almost impossible task and as a result, we’ve selected an additional 14 ‘Supported Talents” as part of the programme.

"This takes the total number of athletes, performers and teams receiving Red Funnel travel sponsorship in 2025 to 41 – which is the biggest group yet. We hope the initiative continues to help and inspire Islanders to pursue their talents to the highest level and look forward to supporting and sharing their journeys and achievements this year.”

Of the 15 successful Ambassadors selected, eight will return to the programme having proved themselves in their respective fields in 2024.

This outstanding list includes British kickboxing champion Dominic Marsh, indie rock band Coach Party and pro-kitesurfer Tom Court.

Seven new Ambassadors will also make their debut in 2025, representing a mix of disciplines, including dance duo Isabel and Jasmine Dominey, dog agility team Abs Whittington together with Border Collie Dash, and pro darts player Keegan Brown.

Of all successful applicants, five Ambassadors are juniors under the age of 18 and making waves in their respective fields, including professional Pokemon player Cass Morey and archer Summer Chambers.

Three new clubs will be added to the Supported Teams line up, including the Isle of Wight Squash club, Isle of Wight Rugby Club and the returning Isle of Wight Underwater Hockey Club, following their hiatus from the programme in 2024.

The debutants join nine talented teams on the Red Funnel roster to see a total 12 organisations receive travel support this year.

Of the 14 Supported Talents taken forward in addition to the Ambassador line up, five are brand new for 2025 including Grand Prix dressage rider Gemma Maddocks and her horse Dora, brothers and bowls duo Jude and Max Beaman – plus Crufts Competitor and volunteer St Mary’s hospital therapy dog Emma (and her owner Kerry).

Following another successful year of applications, showcasing the many and often hidden talents of Island Residents, Red Funnel looks forward to following the training progress and competitive success of all 41 of this year’s Ambassadors, Teams and Talents.