Izabel “Izzy” Hall Awarded the 2026 Frank Jenkins Memorial Trophy at the NGO's Annual Awards

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The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO) was proud to present the 2026 Frank Jenkins Memorial Trophy to Izabel “Izzy” Hall, an outstanding young underkeeper from Leicestershire whose skill, commitment and ambassadorial promise set her apart in an exceptionally strong field of nominees this year.

The trophy is generously sponsored by Deerhunter, and the NGO extends its sincere thanks for their continued support of this important award.

Honouring the Legacy of Frank Jenkins

The trophy celebrates the memory of Frank Jenkins, who dedicated an extraordinary 63 years to gamekeeping and gamebird rearing. His lifetime of service left a profound mark on the profession, and the NGO was pleased to welcome his daughter and son, Jennie Rimell and Martin Jenkins, to this year’s ceremony.

In 2010, the NGO received a generous donation from the family and friends of the late Mr Jenkins. It was agreed that the most fitting way to commemorate his tireless work would be to establish an annual award in his name; one that would inspire and recognise the next generation of gamekeepers.

Since 2011, the Frank Jenkins Memorial Trophy has celebrated students, young keepers and conservationists who demonstrate exceptional practical and theoretical skills, and who show the potential to be strong ambassadors for the profession. The NGO and the Jenkins family are proud that several previous winners have since progressed to become head keepers.

This year’s nominations were of an exceptionally high standard, making the judging process both rewarding and challenging. Jason Douglas, NGO Chair for Warwickshire, spoke in support of Izzy as the panel’s chosen recipient.

At just 17, Izzy is already making a remarkable contribution to gamekeeping and the wider rural community. Now in her first year studying Countryside and Land Management Level 3 at Brooksby College, she devotes her free time to working on the Walter Benbow Shoot in Thurlaston.

Growing up on a small shoot in South Leicestershire, Izzy’s progress is entirely self‑driven, shaped by her work ethic, commitment and genuine passion for the profession. As an active underkeeper, she takes responsibility for feeding, pen work and pest control with a level of care and competence far beyond her years. On shoot days, she demonstrates professionalism, reliability and a clear understanding of what makes a day run smoothly.

Izzy is also helping to broaden representation within the sector. She has volunteered for several years at the Great British Shooting Show, confidently engaging with visitors and representing the next generation of keepers. She collaborated with Gareth Wyn Jones on a demonstration of game meat preparation, showcasing safe handling and British hygiene standards - an example of both her practical knowledge and her ability to communicate it.

Her support for the NGO extends further still: assisting with police rural task force training days, contributing to the Stalking Show, and helping deliver two NGO Community Action Fund events in Leicestershire where she interviewed the regional Police and Crime Commissioner, Rupert Matthews.

Among her peers, Izzy is a natural role model; kind, grounded and generous with her guidance. Through her social media presence as “Izzy the Underkeeper” on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, she shares honest, responsible content that helps demystify gamekeeping for a wider audience.

Above all, Izzy is polite, dependable, level‑headed and quietly confident. In her skills, her attitude and her commitment to the future of gamekeeping, she embodies everything this award was created to recognise.

The NGO’s message to Izzy

“Izzy, we are all incredibly proud of your achievement. You, and your peers, represent the future of gamekeeping and the shooting sector. We hope you will draw on the many hundreds of years of experience within the organisation, and equally, we hope that we, the NGO, will draw on your ideas, your energy and your passion.

Thank you for choosing gamekeeping. We look forward to supporting you as your career continues to grow.”

 

Ends/.

 

For further information, interviews, or media enquiries, please contact:

National Gamekeepers’ Organisation

e.vaughan@nationalgamekeepers.org

Notes to Editors:

The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation: The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO) represents the gamekeepers of England and Wales. The NGO defends and promotes gamekeeping and gamekeepers and works to ensure high standards throughout the profession. The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation was founded in 1997 by a group of gamekeepers who felt that keepering was threatened by public misunderstanding and poor representation. Today, there are 13,000 members of the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation.  www.nationalgamekeepers.org.uk