20 sporting superstars: Celebrating Devon’s greatest sportswomen
The sportswomen who have made a huge impact on Devon
From Olympic champions to rising stars, Devon has a proud sporting heritage shaped by talented, determined and trailblazing women.
Here are 20 sportswomen whose achievements have helped put the county on the sporting map.
1. Jo Pavey – Athletics Born in Honiton, distance runner Jo Pavey is one of Britain’s most inspiring athletes. Her European 10,000m gold in 2014, won aged 40, proved that sporting success has no age limit.
2. Sharron Davies – Swimming Born in Plymouth, Sharron Davies became a household name after winning Olympic silver in the 400m freestyle at Moscow 1980, inspiring generations of young swimmers.
3. Giselle Ansley – Hockey The Kingsbridge-born hockey star helped Great Britain win Olympic gold at Rio 2016 and bronze at Tokyo 2020. Her international success is a source of pride for Devon.
4. Kate Allenby – Modern pentathlon Associated with Tavistock, Allenby won Olympic bronze at Sydney 2000, demonstrating exceptional versatility across five demanding disciplines.
5. Heather Fell – Modern pentathlon Another Devon-linked pentathlete, Fell won Olympic silver at Beijing 2008, further establishing the county’s reputation for producing outstanding competitors in this demanding sport.
6. Tonia Couch – Diving Born in Plymouth, Couch represented Great Britain at three Olympic Games. Her achievements at international level helped keep Devon firmly in the diving spotlight.
7. Sarah Barrow – Diving The Plymouth diver competed at London 2012 and Rio 2016, earning European Championship success and demonstrating the strength of the city’s diving tradition.
8. Chloe Brew – Rowing A Plymouth rowing talent, Brew represented Great Britain at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. Her Olympic journey reflects the dedication required to compete at the highest level.
9. Kerenza Bryson – Modern pentathlon Born in Plymouth and connected with Ivybridge, Bryson won European Championship gold before representing Team GB at Paris 2024, combining elite sport with a medical career.
10. Honey Osrin – Swimming After moving to Plymouth as a teenager, Osrin developed into an international swimmer and made her Olympic debut at Paris 2024, finishing seventh in the 200m backstroke final.
11. Abigail Martin – Artistic gymnastics Born and raised in Paignton, Martin won European Championship silver in 2024 before making her Olympic debut in Paris. She represents the exciting future of British gymnastics.
12. Jude Hamer – Wheelchair basketball The Exeter-born Paralympian has won multiple European medals with Great Britain, helping raise the profile of disability sport and inclusive competition.
13. Freya Black – Sailing Training at Dawlish Warren, Black represented Great Britain in the women’s skiff at Paris 2024, showcasing the county’s strong connection with coastal and water sports.
14. Ruby Stacey – Artistic gymnastics The Tavistock gymnast emerged as a promising young talent, earning recognition within Britain’s elite gymnastics pathway.
15. Angie Pain (later Hulley) – Athletics A Devon athletics standout, Pain won marathon bronze at the 1990 Commonwealth Games, adding to the county’s rich distance-running legacy.
16. Helen Reddy – Gymnastics coaching An influential Devon coach, Reddy has helped nurture young gymnasts and was recognised for her contribution to local sport. Her work highlights the importance of those developing talent behind the scenes.
17. Elyse Leech – Athletics Recognised through Devon’s community sporting awards, Leech represents the dedication and achievement flourishing in the county’s athletics clubs.
18. Molly Canham – Athletics Associated with Exeter Harriers, Canham is among the athletes recognised in Devon’s community sporting scene, demonstrating the importance of local clubs in developing talent.
19. Kendal Brown – Tennis Recognised for her sporting achievements with Torquay Tennis Club, Brown represents the grassroots players helping sustain tennis across South Devon.
20. Alyssa Oates – Underwater hockey A Plymouth Underwater Hockey Club athlete recognised in Devon’s community sports awards, Oates highlights the county’s diversity of sporting talent beyond the traditional headline events.
A legacy to celebrate
From Olympic podiums to local clubs, these women represent the breadth of female sporting achievement in Devon. Their stories celebrate excellence, resilience, inclusion and ambition — and remind us that the next generation of sporting heroes may already be training at a club near you.