Fifteen-year-old Naomi Hawkins, from Truro, has just won four silver medals and a fourth place in the European Biathle-Triathle Laser Run Championships in Turkey.
It’s the first year that Naomi has competed in the Under 17 category and she claimed the highest ranked place as a GB competitor in both the individual laser run (shooting and running) and the Triathle (running, swimming and shooting).
Naomi has represented Team GB internationally for the last four years and is on the University of Bath’s Talent Performance Pathway. She is also one of Cornwall’s GLL Sport Foundation athletes – providing her with free access to any of GLL’s 240 leisure centres nationwide.
Currently in her GCSE year at school, Naomi has decided not to compete in the world championships taking place in South Africa this December.
“Her mock exams are coming up, and schoolwork always comes first,” said dad Steven Hawkins. “She’s very self-motivated and wants to ensure she keeps on top of everything.
“Naomi has loved sport from a very young age and was swimming, running and cycling by the age of six. As she’s got older, she’s focused on her pentathlon events – fencing, obstacle course racing, swimming, laser pistol shooting and cross country running.
“As well as wanting to be selected for the GB team at the European and World Championships each year, her dream is to be part of Great Britain’s Olympic team.”
Operating under the Better brand, GLL runs nine leisure centres in Cornwall – including the ones in Truro and Helston where Naomi regularly trains.
“Naomi is very grateful for the support GLL gives her,” said Steven. “She can go online and book a session in the pool whenever she needs to and it’s all free of charge.”
144 Cornwall-based athletes, representing 23 sports, received GSF support worth £92,150 in 2025. 72% of them get no other central funding, more than half are under the age of 21, 27% are under 16 and 8% of them live with disabilities.
Applications for 2026 GSF awards open on 20 December. For more information, visit https://www.gllsportfoundation.org/
