GSF Athletes shine at RBS Sport awards
"GSF Athletes shine at RBS Sport awards"
Every Year, Rugby Borough Council and the GLL Sports Foundation team up to recognise and reward the Borough’s most dedicated and talented sports people.
To celebrate the achievements people have made in 2024, the Rugby Sports Award’s took place at the Benn Hall on Thursday 10th April 2025.
The nomination’s for this years award's included dedicated coaches, sports club volunteer's, inspiring sports individua'ls and team’s that have raised the bar throughout the year.
This year saw a record amount of attendees – including fantastic representation from Rugby Borough Council and The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Centre, giving the event a really good vibe and a great way to celebrate a such sporting talent in our local area.
The Mayor of Rugby shared –
“It was fantastic to attend the Rugby Sports Awards 2024 this evening (2024 as this is celebrating last years achievements) A room full of many familiar faces and a real wealth of talent across the Borough. I had the honour of presenting the young sports person of the year award and the lifetime achievement award. Congratulations to all winners and nominees this evening. A real credit to you all for your hard work and determination.
It was a pleasure to also meet the special guest for the evening. Paralympian and silver medalist form Paris 2024 Blaine Hunt. It was inspiring to hear a bit about his story and I’m sure many of the young athletes in the room took a lot from the snippets of his journey so far."
"Rugby has so much talent that we should quite rightly shout about”
GLL is the UK’s largest operator of public leisure, sport, health, cultural and community facilities and one of the nation’s most successful social enterprises.
The GLL Sport Foundation is supporting 94 athletes in Rugby for this award year to the value of £63,050 both direct and in-kind support.
· The ages of athletes range from 12–82 years old
· The Awards include 10 different sports
· There is also 10 Rugby Excellence in sports awards that GLL sponsor alongside the GSF awards.
Among those attending the event as guests were GLL’s Chief Executive Peter Bundy, Partnership Manager Nicola Wood, General Manager Lisa Fletcher, Healthwise Manager Phil Hanrahan, GSF Ambassador, Paralympic medal winning cyclist Blaine Hunt.
- Blaine told the room a bit about his journey from surgery gone wrong to a paralympic medal and 2 times world champion, followed by an audience Q&A with they really engaged with
- Lots of our young athletes in the room also approached him to ask further questions, for advice etc, and he was so great with them all
Rugby Sports Awards winners:
Excellence in sports:
Izzy Brand (Swimming)
Eve Young (Artistic swimming)
Frankie Klym (Artistic Swimming)
Lola Huett (Artistic Swimming)
Keva Ennis (Artistic Swimming)
Aaron Lee (Artistic Swimming)
Jess Powell (Sailing)
Hari Clark (Sailing)
Robert Byne (Sailing)
Imogen Green (Sailing)
Joe Walden (High Jump, Athletics)
Young volunteer of the year Award:
Winner – Louise Anderson (Hockey)
Runner up – Scarlett Smith (Athletics)
Simon Warwood Memorial Award for Young Team Of The Year:
Winner – Rugby & Northampton Athletics Club U17 4x100 Relay Team (Athletics)
Runner Up – Hillmortin JnrsU14 FC (Football)
Runner Up – Draycvote Jnr Waszp Swarm (Sailing)
Young Sports Person Of The Year:
Winner – Jessica Parker (Tennis+)
Runner Up – Charlie Cook (Javelin Athletics)
Runner Up – Roger Darbyshire (Sailing)
Get Active Award:
Bobby Brannen (Fitness & Boxing)
Womens Rugby Player Of The Year:
Winner – Clara Such
Runner Up – Olivia Callaghen
Mark Gallagher Memorial Award for Coach Of The Year:
Winner – Steve Irish (Sailing)
Runner Up – Annette Parker (Trampolining)
Runner Up – Rory Grealy (Swimming)
Club of The Year:
Winner - Rugby Triathlon
Runner Up – Rugby and Daventry Fencing Club
Runner Up – Roar! Cheers & Dance
Sportswoman of the year:
Winner – Kimberley Woods (Canoe Slalom & Kayak)
Runner Up – Iris Bingham (Archery Crossbow)
Runner Up – Eve Young (Artistic Swimming)
Sportswoman of the year:
Winner – Fabian Powell (Athletics)
Runner Up – Josh Faulds (Athletics)
Lifetime Achievement Award:
David Assheton (Hockey)