41 Talented Islanders selected for Red Funnel sponsorship

Red Funnel are proud to announce a new cohort of sponsored Island residents, introducing 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 difficult decision process, Red Funnel CEO Fran Collins said:
“It’s inspiring to have received so many applications from talented Islanders of all ages, backgrounds and fields. Deciding the final line up was an almost impossible task and as a result, we’ve opted to add an additional spot under our ‘Supported Talent’ group this year. This takes the total number of athletes, performers and teams receiving Red Funnel travel sponsorship in 2025 to 41 – which is 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 following their journeys and achievements this year.”

Meet the 2025 Red Funnel Island Ambassadors

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 making waves in their respective fields, including professional Pokemon player Cass Morey and archer Summer Chambers. 

Meet the 2025 Red Funnel Supported Teams

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. 

Meet the 2025 Red Funnel Supported Talent

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. 
Find the full line up of 2025 Island Ambassadors, Teams and Supported Talent below.

ISLAND AMBASSADORS:

Abigail Whittington & Dash - Dog agility

Coach Party - Indie Rock Band

Corey Kent - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Athlete & Autism Ambassador

Dominic Marsh -WAKO Kickboxing

Isabel & Jasmine Dominey - Championship Freestyle Dance Duo

Joe Ramskill - Taekwondo

Julie Platt (Wightflight) - Siberian Huskies Dog Sled & Show Team

Keegan Brown - Professional Darts Player

The Pill - Indie Rock Band

JUNIOR AMBASSADORS (U18)

Cass Morey - Professional Pokemon Player

Esme Colley - Dressage rider

Jess Burfitt - Competitive Dancer

Rubi Harper - Show Jumper

Summer Chambers - Archer

SUPPORTED TEAMS:

East Cowes Victoria Athletic Football Club

NAUT Cycling Club and Race Team

Isle of Wight Panthers Kickboxing Club

Isle of Wight Rugby Club

Isle of Wight Squash Club

Isle of Wight Underwater Hockey Club

Solent Netball Team

Starlight Academy

Vectis Equestrian Club

Ventnor Cricket Club

Ventnor Rugby Club

SUPPORTED TALENT:

Charlie Southwick - Speedway Racing

Emily Martin - Dancer

Emma (and Kerry) - Crufts Competitor & Therapy Dog

Gemma Maddocks - Grand Prix Dressage Rider

Isabella Adami - Ballerina

Josh Oddy - Professional Golfer

Kelly Read - Showjumper

Liberty Lee - Gymnast

Max & Jude Beaman - Lawn Bowls

Megan Marshall - Gymnast

Natalie Brougham - Dressage rider

Jack Scully-Syer - Speedway Rider

Toby Trotman - Tennis player

Rhiannon Kinnair - Musician