press release: GLL
Gold company profile | GLL
PRESS RELEASE
GLL partnership with PlayFootball grows to 45 facilities
29 Apr 2026
Hough End artificial pitch / GLL
11 new GLL venues added this April are a 'win:win'
Pitch booking solutions company PlayFootball have added a further 11 GLL venues which can now be conveniently hired online on their platform - keeping more local communities across the UK active, with more people playing more often.
With National reach, PlayFootball have managed bookings for GLL’s all-weather pitches since 2018, currently servicing over 1m player visits per annum.
Their strategic aims align strongly with worker-owned co-operative and charitable social enterprise GLL's wellbeing ethos. Both organisations wish to support grassroots sport for the health and societal benefits it brings.
The successful link-up - which from this April supports bookings at 45 venues - provides 200,000 hours of community programming annually generating nearly £7m in social value (Source: 4Global).
Andrew Clark, GLL's head of aquatics & sports said: "GLL's partnership with PlayFootball has allowed a real shift in focus on pitches. Utilisation has increased, meaning more people in our communities staying active.
"PlayFootball have also been very effective at driving casual bookings during the off season which has made a real difference."
Steve Bennett, chief commercial officer at PlayFootball said: “As partners of GLL, we are proud to provide specialist management services to optimise social impact and community participation levels on their outdoor sports pitches. It's something we have successfully delivered for many years.
"Adding more GLL facilities to our partnership means we can boost grassroots sport by getting more people playing more often. It's a 'win:win'."
PlayFootball are also sponsors of the GLL Sport Foundation - the largest independent athlete support programme in the UK, now in its 18th year. This year over 3,200 athletes will share a fund of £2.23m to support their sporting journeys.
For more information about the services PlayFootball provide, go to: https://business.playfootball.net/
For more information about pitch bookings, go to: 5-a-side and 6-a-side Football Venues | FA Accredited | PlayFootball
And for more information about what we offer for football go to: Football Near Me | Indoor & Outdoor | Adults & Kids | Better
More press releases and updates from GLL:
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GLL
Address:
Middlegate House,
The Royal Arsenal,
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Peter Bundey, chief executive
HCM SUMMIT
Watch Peter Bundey, CEO, GLL, speak at HCM Summit 2025
GLL video gallery:
Key personnel
Peter Bundey, chief executive
Phil Donnay, deputy chief executive & CFRO
Phil Donnay, deputy chief executive & CFRO
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.
• 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.
Plans for the next 12 months
Our 2026 strategies and roadmap are
already well-shaped and are based on
our Five-Year Plan, launched in 2024.
With our positive performance and improved social outcomes during 2024, GLL is well placed to be at the forefront of societal, economic and environmental change.
The future will see us focusing on excellent customer service alongside our social enterprise values and growing our social impact, while new partnerships with Government Departments, NHS, National Agencies and numerous National Charities will support individual wellness and economic outcomes.
With our positive performance and improved social outcomes during 2024, GLL is well placed to be at the forefront of societal, economic and environmental change.
The future will see us focusing on excellent customer service alongside our social enterprise values and growing our social impact, while new partnerships with Government Departments, NHS, National Agencies and numerous National Charities will support individual wellness and economic outcomes.
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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