Red Funnel has announced 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.
Of the 15 successful Ambassadors selected, 8 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.
7 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, 5 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. Meet the 2025 Red Funnel Island Ambassadors at redfunnel.co.uk/islandambassadors.
3 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 Teams at redfunnel.co.uk/supportedteams.
Of the 14 Supported Talents taken forward in addition to the Ambassador line up, 5 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). You can meet the 2025 Red Funnel Supported Talent at redfunnel.co.uk/supportedtalents.
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
