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New for this year, the Sports Ambassador of the Year Award has been introduced to celebrate the individuals who make a real impact on sport in Jersey.
From inspiring athletes and dedicated coaches to passionate volunteers, officials and community champions, this award recognises those whose commitment, achievements and influence help sport thrive across the Island. Whether through sporting success, encouraging participation, supporting local clubs or inspiring the next generation, nominees will have made a meaningful contribution to Jersey’s sporting community.
Sport plays an important role in bringing people together, promoting wellbeing and creating pride in our Island. This award shines a spotlight on the people who embody those values and whose efforts make a lasting difference.
If you know someone who has gone above and beyond for sport in Jersey, nominate them for this exciting new award and help us celebrate their contribution.
A man who has “made an outstanding contribution to sport, health and wellbeing in Jersey” as a personal trainer and online fitness coach has been nominated for Sports Ambassador of the Year.
Logan McGhee is described by his nominator Dougie McCormack as someone who has encouraged numerous people to “achieve goals they never thought possible”.
Mr McCormack said: “Through his dedication, knowledge and genuine passion for helping others, he has transformed the lives of countless people, supporting them to improve their fitness, lose weight, build confidence and adopt healthier lifestyles.
“What makes Logan’s achievements even more remarkable is that everything he has accomplished has been built through his own determination, hard work and self-motivation.
“Logan is a superb role model and a true ambassador for sport in Jersey. His commitment to improving the lives of others, together with his enthusiasm, integrity and ability to motivate people, make him an extremely deserving recipient of this award.”
Bradley Andrews-Callec has been nominated for the Sports Ambassador of the Year award for “representing both Jersey and Great Britain on the world stage”.
Mr Andrews-Callec recently fulfilled a lifelong ambition by being selected to represent Team GB at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Oregon, competing in the 3,000m steeplechase after achieving a sensational personal best of 8min 53sec to secure the qualifying standard.
Miss Walton said: “Bradley trains every day, carefully watches his nutrition and has dedicated his life to becoming the best athlete he can be.”
Off the running track, Mr Andrews-Callec was described as “a humble, family-oriented young man”, with his passion and commitment to sport making him an “outstanding role model” for young athletes.
Like every athlete, Mr Andrews-Callec has experienced some setbacks, yet Miss Walton said that “he remained determined and continued to strive for improvement”.
A Muay Thai coach and founder of Blood Fitness gym has been nominated for the Sports Ambassador of the Year award due to “his belief in his fighters and willingness to invest in their futures, which has changed lives”.
Michael Blood has not only created a gym which “offers outstanding facilities” but also a “fight team that reflects his hard work, discipline and commitment”, according to nominator Kimberley Noel.
In a sport that is sometimes overlooked in the Island, Mr Blood has coached two UK-ranked Jersey fighters, with one currently holding the title of World Muay Thai Organization Featherweight British Champion.
Miss Noel added that Mr Blood’s “dedication to the sport is evident in everything he does” and that he is actively “creating opportunities that many athletes would never have otherwise received”.
The founder of Jersey Boxing Academy, Charlie Franks, has been nominated for the Sports Ambassador of the Year award for being “one of boxing’s strongest advocates in the Island”.
Natalie Cupit praised Mr Franks’s “passion, integrity and tireless work that has transformed lives, strengthened our community and inspired countless young people to believe in themselves”.
Mr Franks built Jersey Boxing Academy from nothing into a thriving organisation with over 115 members, including around 60 active boxers, Mrs Cupit said. Mr Franks also goes above and beyond in supporting young Islanders, especially children struggling in school or with neurodiversity, she added.
Mr Franks’s commitment is “relentless” and he aims to put Jersey on the map through boxing success, with a future aim of taking Islanders to the Commonwealth Games and potentially the Olympics, his nominator added.
The head coach at Regent Gymnastics Club has been nominated for “providing countless opportunities for children in sport”. Describing Julia Falle as an “excellent coach”, nominator Lucy Le Boutillier explained that she repeatedly “puts Jersey on the map” by providing the opportunity for children to compete annually in multiple UK competitions, training camps and inviting Guernsey competitors to the Island.
Last year, she took seven Regent gymnasts to the Island Games in Orkney, and trains Jersey gymnasts for the Independent Gymnastics Association UK squad. Mrs Le Boutiliier added that Ms Falle had played a pivotal role in securing equipment used in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“To see the children use and respect this equipment and have the belief that they could potentially compete at this level one day is so heart warming,” Mrs Le Boutillier said. Earlier this year, Ms Falle worked to relocate the club to a new facility, providing a dedicated home for the sport on the Island while also expanding the community, Mrs Le Boutillier said.
A swimming teacher has been nominated for the Sports Ambassador of the Year award for “helping people discover what they are capable of in the water”. Hayley Butlin’s nominator, Carmen Tyler, said that her contribution to Jersey swimming had been “enormous”, as she coaches, observes, teaches and volunteers for swimmers of all ages and abilities – from complete beginners to highly experienced open-water athletes.
Mrs Butlin is an experienced swimming teacher who owns Swim Confidence. She has completed a number of long-distance challenges including a round-the-Island swim and a solo Jersey-to-France crossing.
She is also a former triathlete and completed an iron-man in 1998, before deciding to take up the sport once again at 60 years old. “She makes swimming feel accessible, achievable and welcoming, and inspires people to push beyond what they thought was possible,” said Miss Tyler.
“Her own achievements demonstrate her commitment to the sport, but it is her continual dedication to creating opportunities for others that deserve recognition.”
A qualified swim teacher and open-water long-distance swimmer has been nominated for the Sports Ambassador of the Year award for “being an inspiration to others in the aquatic community”.
As a swimming teacher, Alice Harvey has mentored the Try-a-Tri candidates in the pool throughout the winter months before taking them into the open water to overcome their fears and achieve their personal challenges, said her nominator Marion Harvey.
This season, she successfully completed the Sark-to-Jersey swim, yet also aided her contemporaries by regularly giving up her weekends despite the “intensive training schedule”. “Alice additionally takes annual leave to crew, feed or observe for their Channel swims, Round Island Swims, Jersey-to-France swims to continue her support,” said Marion.
Ms Harvey “has climbed through the ranks” at the Jersey Long Distance Swimming Club as well as also being involved with the Jersey Water Polo Association, where she established a women’s squad. “Alice is an unassuming champion of sport who deserves recognition for her commitment and humility,” Marion added.
A skateboarder has been nominated for Sports Ambassador of the Year for being a “constant presence in the skate park, making the sport fun and accessible for new people”.
Nominator Fred Smith praised Phil Minty for encouraging younger Islanders to get involved in skating and for helping many Islanders attain coaching qualifications so that they can teach people to skate as well.
Additionally, Mr Minty has helped the skateboarding community access training and coaches off Island, securing funding so Islanders can visit competitions in other places.
“He also helped run Skateboard Therapy sessions with local schools, which helped loads of kids start a sport when they were struggling,” added Mr Smith.
Mr Minty also plays “a massive role” in the Bowl ā Crock event at the end of September, bringing over talented inspirational skaters to the Island, which Mr Smith described as something “that has never happened in Jersey for our sport before”.
A motorcross biker has been nominated for the Sports Ambassador of the Year award for being an “inspiration to aspiring riders and a fantastic representative of Jersey motorsport”.
Matt Le Brun was nominated by Charly Bingle for his “lifelong commitment” to motorsport, after turning a childhood passion into years of hard work and sacrifice, leading him to progress into supermoto.
His nominator praised his achievements, including claiming the S1 Elite title at Oliver’s Mount and the recent Bouley Bay Hill Climb, where he reclaimed two class records, as well as setting the fastest ever time on a motorcycle.
“What makes Matt deserving of this award is not only his results, but the commitment behind them, while providing for his family and being self-employed. “He continues to push himself and raise the bar,” said Miss Bingle.
A cricket player has been nominated for the Sports Ambassador of the Year award because he is “always willing” to support and encourage anybody who asks.
Daniel Birrell, who “will always put his club and Jersey Cricket” ahead of himself has been nominated for the award by Bradley Vautier, who described Mr Birrell as someone who “works tirelessly” and plays cricket with his “heart on his sleeve”.
Mr Vautier explained that Mr Birrell works extensively to maintain the Grainville cricket ground, ensuring it looks its best for media coverages and matches against international teams.
Mr Vautier added that an “example of his commitment” was his support on T20 finals day, when he prepared the group before play before “excelling with the ball, jumping on the roller in between matches” before hitting 64 runs in the final.
He said: “With Dan involved in cricket on the Island then we are all in a stronger position to grow the game that so many of us love.”
A key member of Jersey’s cricketing community has been nominated for the Sports Ambassador of the Year award for his “tireless dedication” and sportsmanship in managing cricket development programmes in the Island.
Tim Oldham, nominated by Charlie Miles, has been praised for “constantly trying to bridge the gap between men’s and women’s adult teams as well as [supporting] young beginners” through the HERA Legacy [a cricket development scheme for girls] and SOS Cricket programmes.
Mr Oldham runs development sessions, provides hands-on encouragement and supports behind-the-scenes initiatives for HERA Legacy and SOS Cricket, with his “positive energy transforming the local sports culture into a welcoming home for all”.
Ms Miles shared that Mr Oldham does not just support the cricket community, but goes above and beyond, building confidence, actively breaking down social barriers and creating memories for players that keep them returning season upon season.
“No matter who steps onto the field, he ensures every single individual feels seen, valued, supported and truly included in the sporting community.”
An “influential” and “positive” figure in Jersey’s local running scene has been nominated for the Sports Ambassador of the Year award.
Rebecca Harris, also known as Bex, was nominated by Ronnie Isherwood as she “embodies everything a Sports Ambassador should be” through her work as a run leader, tail runner, pacesetter and event organiser.
Mr Isherwood commended Ms Harris for supporting hundreds of people to participate in running and being “deeply committed” to helping others “enjoy and succeed in the sport”. “Bex is often the first person new runners meet, whether someone is taking part in their first group run, returning after injury or has recently moved to Jersey and is looking to make new connections.
“Bex has a unique ability to make people feel welcome, included and valued,” he said. “She ensures nobody is left behind and helps create the supportive atmosphere that makes Jersey’s running community so special.”
A Supertri Pro Series final triathlete has been nominated for the Sports Ambassador of the Year award for leading the way as a “talented young athlete whose dedication makes her an inspiration to many Islanders”.
Siena Stephens (19), who recently competed against some of the biggest sporting names at the recent Supertri final held in the Island, is a student at Loughborough University and now continues to train and compete in triathlons all over the UK.
Her nominator, Ella Duxbury, praised her “admirable commitment which requires an immense amount of discipline and sacrifice, yet she continues to approach everything with determination and positivity”.
Miss Stephens has represented Jersey at the Youth Commonwealth Games as well as competing in numerous British Triathlon events.
The young athlete started her journey with Jersey Tri Stars, with her progression from local sports clubs to representing Jersey showing the “potential for others to achieve national and international success through hard work”.
Anthony Palmer has been nominated for Sports Ambassador of the Year for his “outstanding dedication, commitment, and service to the judo community”.
For over 40 years, Mr Palmer has “generously volunteered” his time, knowledge, and energy to support Jersey Judo and its members, according to his nominator, Natasha Little.
Ms Little said that his passion for judo extended far beyond coaching and administration, adding that he was a central role model, mentor and ambassador for the sport Islandwide.
His nominator praised the “countless times he has helped individuals develop both on and off the mat”, explaining that his “selfless service will have a lasting impact on generations of judoka and the wider community”.
“Through difficult times, he has continued to support Jersey Judo, always putting others first and ensuring that members have opportunities to learn, grow and enjoy the sport he loves,” added Ms Little.
