New wave of Island talent joins Red Funnel’s ‘Proud to Support’ initiative

As 2026 gets underway, Red Funnel is continuing its commitment to the Isle of Wight’s incredible homegrown talent through its Proud to Support initiative, now in its third year.

The programme received an overwhelming response for its 2026 cohort, with more than 140 applications from aspiring athletes to artistic performers across the Isle of Wight. After a rigorous selection process, 42 outstanding individuals, teams and groups have been chosen as Island Ambassadors, Supported Teams and Supported Talents, with each receiving a full year of sponsorship. This support, delivered through travel assistance, will enable recipients to compete and perform on bigger stages; regionally, nationally and even globally.

For an island of just over 380 square kilometres, the Isle of Wight is teeming with talent. From national champions and charting musicians to those aspiring to turn professional or, for now, focused on developing their skills, this year’s sponsorship recipients showcase the creativity, tenacity and passion this Island community has across a diverse range of disciplines.

Here are just some of the Islanders selected to represent Red Funnel and the Isle of Wight as part of the Proud to Support sponsorship programme in 2026:

Island Ambassadors – spotlighting Island talent

Fourteen Island Ambassadors have been selected for 2026, who will continue to shine a light for Island talent, placing the Isle of Wight firmly on the map.

Indie band, Coach Party, is planning its most ambitious year to date and heading out on its biggest ever headline tour. Abs Whittington and her Border Collie Dash have their sights set on competing in the Crufts Novice Cup Qualifiers. Championship Freestyle Dancers, sisters Isabel and Jasmine Dominey aim to once again place at the World Championships in 2026, while Archer Summer Chambers is working hard to achieve the scores needed to represent Team GB.

Five new Island Ambassadors were welcomed to the cohort in 2026, including Strongman Ross Cosgrove who competes in the under 80-kilogram category and is working towards qualifying for UK and Ireland’s Strongest Man 2026. Current Isle of Wight men’s singles and Isle of Wight and Southampton Table Tennis Junior Champion, Ryan Cates, is hoping to continue to rise up the national rankings. Junior gymnasts Daisy, Holly, Eden-Rose, and Emma, nicknamed the Fantastic Four, are tumbling towards becoming National Champions in 2026, while 17-year-old international scooter rider, Joe Crockett, who claimed third in the European Championships, has his sights on ranking in the top ten in the UK, but not in the junior division!

Supported Teams – continuing community investment

Continuing support for grassroots initiatives and recognising the role of team sport in fostering community pride and spirit, the Proud to Support programme is supporting twelve local teams this year.

While they may span a variety of sports, these teams are united by their commitment to developing future talent, broadening participation and access, offering pathways for aspiring sportspeople, and, of course, sustaining their many sporting successes.

Joining the existing Supported Teams, which include Ventnor Rugby Team, Isle of Wight Squash, East Cowes Victoria Athletic Football Club and NAUT Cycling Club and Race Team and Vectis Equestrian Club, are three new supported teams.  

Newport IOW Football Club joins the Proud to Support ranks in 2026. Currently playing in the Wessex League, it finished Division 1 runners up in 2025 and currently holds the record for the number of Isle of Wight Gold Cup Wins at a massive 41!

Support has also been given to community focused West Wight Swimming Club, which in 2025 achieved 26 personal bests and 52 medals at competition, and to the Isle of Wight’s only cheer team, The Starlight Academy Cheer Squad, which joins the programme alongside the Starlight Show Team.

Supported Talents – drive, commitment and discipline

Due to the number of worthy applications to join the Proud to Support programme, additional sponsorship outside the main programme has been offered to 16 Islanders under the banner of Supported Talent – nine of whom are new for 2026.

This includes eight competitors on the equestrian circuit, with a record number of applications from talented local riders and their steeds looking to compete off-Island this year.

Dressage competitor Laura Crew is competing nationally and internationally in Virtus Para Dressage as a classified autistic GB athlete. Laura is a Double Virtus Dressage National Champion and looks set to compete at Prix St George level at the Virtus European Championships this year.

Thirteen-year-old Harry Oatley is a budding golf star, winning the Hampshire Golf Championships Under 14s and becoming the overall winner in 2025, while 15-year-old Kian Symmans is already training with AFC Bournemouth’s Under 17s team and looks forward to further developing his footballing abilities.

Announcing 2026’s new cohort of Island Ambassadors and Supported Teams, Fran Collins, CEO of Red Funnel, said: “The talent on this amazing Island never ceases to amaze me. This year’s recipients show incredible ambition, whether they’re aiming for national competitions, heading out on tour or continuing to push themselves in their chosen field after facing adversity. Through our Proud to Support initiative, we’re delighted to give these individuals and teams the backing they need to take the next step in their journey.

“We would also like to thank and congratulate everyone that applied. We’ve been truly inspired by the dedication you bring to your craft and the positive impact you have on your community.

“We’re excited to see what 2026 has in store for this new wave of Island Ambassadors, Supported Teams and Supported Talents, and can’t wait to watch them thrive both on and off the Island.”

For further information on Red Funnel’s Proud to Support initiative, including the full list of Island Ambassadors, Supported Teams and Talent, please visit: https://www.redfunnel.co.uk/proud-support.

-ENDS-
For further information, please contact [email protected] / 02380 382 970

Notes to editors
About Red Funnel
Red Funnel is the original Isle of Wight ferry company with roots tracing back to 1820. Based in the UK port of Southampton, Red Funnel carries 2.3m passengers and over 800,000 vehicles on its ferry route between the UK port of Southampton and East Cowes and 1.1m passengers between Southampton and West Cowes on its Red Jet Hi-Speed service.  

In addition to ferry travel, Red Funnel is the only cross-Solent operator to offer ferry inclusive bonded holiday accommodation, attraction tickets, festival and event tickets and activity packages. Sub-brands include ‘Red Jet’ (the Hi-Speed passenger only ferry service serving West Cowes) and its on board café, ‘ReFuel’.  

The Company is a founding member of Visit Isle of Wight Ltd, the Island’s not for profit destination management organisation. Red Funnel is also proud to sponsor and support most of the Island’s premier events including the IW Festival, Cowes Week, Ventnor Fringe and Walk the Wight alongside a wide range of other community and niche interest events. 

Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year 2026 is Friends of the Animals.

For more information, visit www.redfunnel.co.uk.