Aylesbury schools' leader wins national award for PE and grassroots sports projects
An advocate for physical wellbeing, working in an executive role supporting schools across Aylesbury, has been rewarded for his efforts to positively impact schools and young people through PE, sport and play at the 2026 Youth Sport Trust Awards.
Garret Fay is the CEO for the Insignis Academy Trust, which looks after six schools across Aylesbury Vale and the wider Princes Risborough area, and he was the proud winner of the Campbell Award for network leaders and local influencers.
He led a strategy implemented across the Trust’s schools that used physical activity to increase engagement, strengthen belonging, and improve outcomes for young people.
Championing the belief that physical activity is essential for effective learning and improving mental health, Fay’s approach guarantees every pupil, from primary through to secondary education, receives at least two hours of high-quality PE, play, and sport each week.
Fay said: “I’m overwhelmed, really. I really wasn’t expecting to win that award tonight.
“To be honest, it was a privilege just to be nominated and shortlisted, let alone to be a finalist, and there were so many people on that long list and short list who deserved the prize as well.
“It goes without saying that there’s a number of really key people at the Trust – Ali Arber is our wellbeing lead and is a key driver for everything we do around wellbeing for staff and students.
“Then there’s the rest of the team, from the academic side and from the Trust Central team as well, who all make everything happen every single day.”
The awards were a celebration of inclusivity and were attended by key figures from the sporting world, including former England women’s rugby captain Sarah Hunter and director of sport at the British Olympic Association Sarah Massey.
The 2026 Youth Sport Trust Conference Awards spotlighted the dedicated and innovative approaches from schools, trusts, and individuals who have used the power of sport to make a positive impact on children’s health and wellbeing throughout the year.
Hosted by TV personality, Radzi Chinyanganya, the evening was filled with insightful discussions and inspiring stories that highlighted the power of sport and play to foster positive change and inclusivity in schools.
Hunter said: “It’s massively important to reward the grassroots level of sport.
“It’s recognition for all the hard work that they’ve done through the year, but for most of these teachers and sports co-ordinators it’s not just this year, it’s over multiple years that they’ve embedded sport into their community.
“Without grassroots sport – and I’m speaking now as an international coach – we don’t have a game, we don’t have that pipeline for our future sport stars, whether that be rugby, football or athletics.
“Having started rugby at school, I know how important it is to reward and recognise the hard work that quite often goes unseen.”
The Youth Sport Trust Annual Conference Awards, sponsored by Sports Directory and Outdoor Play and Learning, celebrate schools, settings, trusts, and individuals who, working alongside Youth Sport Trust, have made a real and impactful change to the lives of young people. Find out how the Youth Sport Trust is building brighter futures for children through sport and play: https://www.youthsporttrust.org/