Emily has been awarded the Young Health Champion Award for her incredible resilience and leadership through sport. As a participant in the Inclusion 2028 programme, delivered in Lead Inclusion Schools, Emily faced life-altering health challenges, including Functional Neurological Disorder and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, which led her to become a full-time wheelchair user. Rather than stepping away from physical activity, Emily has embraced inclusive PE and sport at school. She’s adapted, persevered, and emerged as an advocate for others with disabilities, helping shape more accessible environments.

Emily’s story is a powerful reminder of how inclusive environments can shape confidence, identity and aspiration. She is our 2025 Young Health Champion.

Inclusion 2028 is a programme funded by the Department of Education which aims to improve the quality of schools’ physical education and school sport provision for SEND pupils working with PE leads, teachers, SENDCos and teaching assistants.

Anna has been awarded the Inspirational Female Leader Award for her outstanding work promoting gender inclusion through sport. As a participant in the Girls Active programme, Anna has led by example, representing her school in football and badminton, while creating safe and supportive environments for girls to get active. She supports younger students through roller skating leadership and dance and is a natural role model. Despite caring responsibilities at home, she continues to balance sport, school, and leadership with commitment and positivity. Anna truly reflects the award’s criteria of using sport to empower and uplift others, especially those underrepresented in physical activity.

Anna’s passion, empathy and leadership continue to empower girls to find their voice and confidence through sport. She is our 2025 Inspirational Female Leader.

The Youth Sport Trust Girls Active programme is funded by Sport England and the National Lottery aims to tackle the barriers girls experience and through cultivating a movement of girls and young women, empower them to take positive action through influencing, leading, and inspiring their peers.

Regan has been awarded the Greatest Turnaround Through Sport Award for his extraordinary personal development and courage. As a participant in the Set for Success programme, Regan began his journey anxious and reluctant to engage due to a pronounced stammer. Through the power of sport, mentorship and peer support, he built confidence - culminating in delivering a deeply personal speech titled “My Voice is Not Your Voice” to school leaders as part of his Social Action Project.

His growth has continued into leadership roles, such as joining the school’s CCF Cadets. Regan’s journey is a testament to the power of sport in building identity, confidence and belonging.

He is our 2025 Greatest Turnaround Through Sport Award winner.

Set for Success is an intensive youth leadership initiative funded by the Wimbledon Foundation in partnership with Barclays and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust. It seeks to support young people who at present are not achieving their full potential. 

Ethan has been awarded the Young Activist Award for his unwavering commitment to using sport as a tool for change. A long-standing member of Young Ambassadors Cymru, Ethan began his journey aged 10 and has since become a role model for inclusive volunteering, officiating, and leadership in basketball. Whether mentoring players or leading charity events, Ethan’s activism reflects a deep passion for wellbeing and community and embodies the spirit of youth leadership and service.

Ethan’s commitment to using sport as a platform for inclusion and positive change sets a powerful example for others. He is our 2025 Young Activist.

The Young Ambassadors programme is run by the Youth Sport Trust and funded by Sport Wales. The programme aims to see young people driving opportunity, engagement and change for other young people and developing as young leaders.

Mason has been awarded the Inspirational Inclusive Young Leader Award for his courage, determination and dedication to helping others overcome medical and physical barriers through sport. A participant in the Inclusive Leadership Camp, Mason has used his lived experience as a kidney transplant recipient to inspire others - especially young people. He has represented Great Britain at the British Transplant Games, won Gold and broke a world record for the 50-metre butterfly! He now supports younger aspiring athletes, delivers talks to students, and continues to break records.

Mason’s courage and leadership inspire others to overcome barriers and believe that anything is possible. He is our 2025 Inspirational Inclusive Young Leader.

The Inclusive Youth Leadership programme is run by the Youth Sport Trust and funded by Sport England. This programme aims to establish new regular inclusive sport clubs / unified sport activities led by young people for young people with and without SEND.    

Gift has been awarded the International Young Leader Award for her resilience and drive to transform her life and inspire others. Growing up in Malawi, one of the poorest countries in the world, she joined Youth Sport Trust International's Beckwith International Leadership Development programme and used her training to launch a successful sausage business. Supporting her child and siblings, and with ambitions to open a restaurant, Gift shows how opportunity and determination can create change for families and communities.

Gift’s determination and vision show the power of sport and enterprise to transform lives and communities. She is our 2025 International Young Leader.

The Beckwith International Leadership Development (BILD) programme develops the life skills of young people and has been designed and funded by Youth Sport Trust International and is delivered in Malawi in partnership with Bhubesi Pride Foundation.