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press release: GLL
GLL Sport Foundation Confirms 2256 athlete awards In 2024
07 May 2024
The majority of GSF athletes are under 21 and 87% receive no other form of funding / GLL
A £1.295m fund comprised of financial bursaries, training and access memberships, physiotherapy and more will support talented athletes with the cost of preparing for and participating in national and international competition – including the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Over 16 years, the GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) has continued to be at the forefront of developing local young athletic talent with an impressive 28,146 awards totalling £15.386m having been made since 2008 across 117 different sports.
Always striving to expand the range of support for athletes, last year’s development of the GSF programme offered - for the first time - athlete wellbeing support through a new partnership with Switch The Play Foundation (STPF). This initiative will help a diverse range of athletes receive a full balance of support in an often challenging environment.
Award holders and ambassadors include Tom Daley and Ellie Simmons. Current ambassadors include Darryl Neita, Joe Clarke, Tully Kearney and Kimberley Woods.
GSF Patron Sally Gunnell OBE said: “Young athletes need the support of organisations like the GLL Sport Foundation to follow their dreams and achieve their ambitious goals in competitive sport.
“GSF provides a lifeline to those struggling with the cost of living and can make a real difference - keeping them in training and helping realise their full potential.”
GSF Chair and GLL CEO Peter Bundey said: “GLL is a unique organisation that over 31 years has expanded its public service offer, bringing measurable benefit to local communities.
“Our GLL Sport Foundation is a key part of our remit to widen and deepen our social impact by offering unique opportunities to talented young athletes and build a legacy through sport.
“All of this is only possible through the close relationships enjoyed with our national sport partners, council clients, suppliers and sponsors and I want to take this opportunity to thank them for their valued contribution with the 2024/25 GSF Awards.
“We look forward to sharing the success of our talented athletes with them in the year ahead.”
GLL’s research shows that many talented athletes struggle to realise their dreams of sporting glory due to rising costs of equipment, training, physiotherapy, travel and nutrition. For them, a GSF Award can be the lifeline to staying in training and meeting their potential.
The majority of GSF athletes are under 21 and 87% receive no other form of funding.
Alistair Mackinnon of GSF headline sponsors Speedo said: “Speedo is delighted to renew its sponsorship of the GLL Sport Foundation.
“The GLL Sport Foundation’s ethos is very much aligned to our wish to see opportunities through sport and fitness spread and meets our wider social responsibilities to our customers, staff and communities.”
“I’d like to extend our best wishes to the young athletes who are part of the GSF Awards Programme this year and wish them the very best of luck with their training and in competition.”
More press releases and updates from GLL:
Anthony Bryan, a fitness instructor at GLL’s Southbury Leisure Centre, recently took part in
the London Marathon.
On Monday 13th May, team GB sprinter Daryll Neita, an Olympic medallist and one of the
nation's leading track and field athletes, hosted a memorable sports day at her home track,
GLL’s Sutcliffe Park Sports Centre in Greenwich for pupils from local primary schools.
Active Reality, a leader in Virtual Reality Freeroam Esports Arenas and GLL, the UK’s largest
operator of municipal leisure centres, have today (3rd May 24) announced an innovative new
partnership that will see a national roll out of gaming technologies within leisure centres
across the country.
Being a carer – whether that’s looking after a young person, a senior citizen or someone with
a long-term illness or disability – can be rewarding but stressful at times. These
responsibilities may also limit the carer’s ability to find paid employment.
Last week saw the launch of a new ‘Health Hub’ at Better’s One NK leisure centre in North
Hykeham.
GLL
Address:
Middlegate House,
The Royal Arsenal,
London,
SE18 6SX,
UK
Peter Bundey, chief executive officer
GLL video gallery:
Key personnel
Peter Bundey, chief executive officer
Phil Donnay, deputy ceo
Mark Sesnan, OBE, chief officer and special adviser
Phil Donnay, deputy ceo
Mark Sesnan, OBE, chief officer and special adviser
Key customers
Companies we work with include Annodata, Physical Company, Technogym, Change Please and Divine Chocolate.
Local Authorities and Agencies we work with include Greenwich Council, Belfast City Council, Cardiff City Council, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, LLDC, ukactive, SportsAid, SportsAid Wales, Mary Peters Trust, Swim England and Sport England.
Local Authorities and Agencies we work with include Greenwich Council, Belfast City Council, Cardiff City Council, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, LLDC, ukactive, SportsAid, SportsAid Wales, Mary Peters Trust, Swim England and Sport England.
Plans for the next 12 months
Continue the strong bounce back from Covid, growing membership and sales.
Reducing barriers to participation by maintaining our concessions and Kids for a Quid scheme.
Partnering with UK Active, Community Leisure UK, the LGA, RLSS, Swim England and SEUK lobbying central and local government for financial support to meet the ‘existential threat’ to public leisure operators from utility price rises.
Reducing barriers to participation by maintaining our concessions and Kids for a Quid scheme.
Partnering with UK Active, Community Leisure UK, the LGA, RLSS, Swim England and SEUK lobbying central and local government for financial support to meet the ‘existential threat’ to public leisure operators from utility price rises.
Testimonial
“We made the decision to begin supporting the GLL Sport Foundation in 2015, and it is a pleasure to announce the renewal of our sponsorship with this incredible institution.
"Many bright and talented athletes throughout the United Kingdom are unable to chase their dreams of sporting glory due to lack of funding. We are passionate about helping GSF give equal opportunities to all young people and achieving their dreams of competing on the international stage.
"Our partnership enables both our brands to share the success of the UK’s most aspiring athletes who we are proud to have heard speak in such an inspirational way at our internal Sales Conferences and who have supported our marketing and brand development goals through representation and storytelling both in person and via social media”.
– Rod Tonna-Barthet, chief executive, Annodata
"Many bright and talented athletes throughout the United Kingdom are unable to chase their dreams of sporting glory due to lack of funding. We are passionate about helping GSF give equal opportunities to all young people and achieving their dreams of competing on the international stage.
"Our partnership enables both our brands to share the success of the UK’s most aspiring athletes who we are proud to have heard speak in such an inspirational way at our internal Sales Conferences and who have supported our marketing and brand development goals through representation and storytelling both in person and via social media”.
– Rod Tonna-Barthet, chief executive, Annodata
Testimonial
"I am so thankful for the support I have received from GLL Sport Foundation. My first individual medal ever is extremely special, and I would not be here if it wasn’t for the support, I have received from the GLL ‘family’.”
– Daryll Neita, Birmingham Commonwealth Games bronze and silver medalist, GLL Athlete
– Daryll Neita, Birmingham Commonwealth Games bronze and silver medalist, GLL Athlete
Testimonial
"This exciting new chapter cements the future of our six key sports venues and is part of our commitment to the many communities we serve far and wide. We have carefully structured this partnership with GLL to ensure that visitors will continue to enjoy the very best in these stellar, highly popular venues. We look forward to together creating exciting new programmes and activities that draw on the strengths of both organisations.
“These venues are part of the Lee Valley visitor experience and will continue to be so with some of the best facilities and most inspiring settings to be found anywhere. As part of the partnership Lee Valley Regional Park Authority will continue to invest to ensure that they go from strength to strength, delivering real impact for communities.”
– Shaun Dawson chief executive, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
“These venues are part of the Lee Valley visitor experience and will continue to be so with some of the best facilities and most inspiring settings to be found anywhere. As part of the partnership Lee Valley Regional Park Authority will continue to invest to ensure that they go from strength to strength, delivering real impact for communities.”
– Shaun Dawson chief executive, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
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