Callywith College host GLL 2025 Cornwall Sport Foundation Celebration Evening
On Monday 23rd June, Cornwall held its GSF Celebration Evening, the 2nd largest GLL Sport Foundation Awards Evening across the UK GLL Partnerships. The event brought together 38 athletes and 55 guests, including Client representatives, to celebrate outstanding local Cornish talent and sporting achievements.
For 2025-26, the GLL Sport Foundation invested £92,150, to support 144 young athletes in Cornwall, across a huge geographical county. Both young and mature athletes being supported and funded. The evening highlighted the strong partnership with not only our client Cornwall Council, but other key partners and stakeholders. Building and growing the profile of GLL Sport Foundation programme in the county.
Event Highlights
Welcome and Introduction presented by Jamie Coleshill – Regional Director
Local Perspective & Awards presented by James Curry – Head of Service Cornwall
38 Athletes Attended on the evening
21 Plus 1’s accompanied athletes
18 No shows (9 Athletes, 9 Plus 1s)
Evening concluded question and answer session with athletes Isaac Murray, 21, his brother GB para-athlete Logan Murray, 16, and modern pentathlete Naomi Hawkins, 14, talking to GLL General Manager Rob Francis about their careers to date.
Special Guest Speaker - Past GSF Ambassador, David Wetherill – 3 x Paralympian (Table Tennis: Beijing; London; Bronze Medallist Rio); New World Record Holder 2025 London Marathon on Crutches; Bronze Medal Hyrox World Championship June 2025
Dignitaries & Delivery Team:
3 Dignitaries & 4 VIPs
Cllr Leigh Frost – Leader of Cornwall Council, who will present our Achievement Award Athletes / TOP Up Over & Under 18 Award Athletes and Talent Award Athletes
Cllr Liz Ahearn – Mayor Bodmin; Heath Brandwood – Service Manager Leisure; Chris Ballett – Community Partner Mencap, present Training Awards
The evening was also attended by Phillip Wood; Becky Lloyd-King & Carolyn Giles - Active Cornwall Board Members
10 Sport Students for Callywith College – supporting the workshops – directing athletes and guests to workshops
5 Sports Staff Callywith College
PA / Sound supported by Jamie Rotherham -Callywith College Technician
3 Facilitated Workshops included at the beginning of the evening 5.30pm- 6.30pm
Physiotherapy focus Tapping Techniques – facilitated by Lou from GSF Cornwall Partner, The Cornwall Physiotherapy Clinic
Mindfulness & Relaxation – facilitated by Rebecca Lilley - GLL Fitness Hub Manager
Conditioning – facilitated by Julian Wills - Sports Academy Coach, Callywith College
Quotes and testimonials
Claire Hawkins, Naomi's mum said, “Naomi is so resilient and driven”. “She trains every day and, despite having to learn to wield a sword with her left hand, took part in an adult fencing competition two weeks ago. She came thirteenth overall, which was amazing in the circumstances.
“Last year we handed out 116 GSF awards in Cornwall and this year 144 sportsmen and women are benefiting from the help we can provide,” said James Curry. “I’m very proud that our area has the second largest number of beneficiaries in the country after Belfast and wish all our Cornwall-based athletes every success going forward. “Their talent is extraordinary.”