GLL Sport Foundation 2024
The UK’s largest independent athlete support programme the GLL Sport Foundation is open for applications until the 20th of February 2024.
Talented athletes from across the UK are invited to apply for a range of support awards which include financial help, access to sport facilities, physiotherapy, lifestyle mentoring and mental health aid.
Who can apply? Dependent on the sport the minimum requirement for the Training level funding is a top 8 finish (age-group up to senior) at Regional’s or equivalent competition in current year. If successful an athlete will be rewarded with a free annual gym membership to support their training and access to the additional benefits of the GLL Sport Foundation.
What sports do we fund? If sport is in the Olympics we can support it. If you are a national level athlete from a sport not in the Olympics it is worth an application as we do try to support high level athletes that
We would encourage as many talented athletes in Waltham Forest to apply via the link: https://www.gllsportfoundation.org/how-to-apply
Any questions can be directed to Daniel.Bank@GLL.ORG
If successful the minimum amount of funding is a free, annual UK wide Better membership to help athletes prepare for events. The GLL Sport Foundation is now in its 16th year and it is the UK’s largest independent athlete award programme which has so far contributed over £13m to help over 24,000 athletes on their sporting journey.
The innovative scheme is provided by charitable social enterprise GLL and awarded £1.2m worth of help in 2023 for successful applicants. Already a popular and essential support programme for athletes, the GLL Sport Foundation is expecting heightened athlete interest as the cost of living crisis hits and training costs, equipment purchases, strength & conditioning costs and travel costs continue to rise.
Over the past 15 years, GLL Sport Foundation supported athletes have excelled in major competitions and have gained 76 Olympic and Paralympic medals and 77 Commonwealth Games medals. Previous holders of GSF awards include Darryl Neita (athletics), Anna Hursey (table tennis), Charlotte Worthington (BMX), Alex Yee (triathlon), boxers Anthony Joshua, Aiden and Michaela Walsh, divers Tom Daley, Matty Lee and Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, swimmers Tully Kearney, Susie Rodgers, Tom Dean and Ellie Simmons.
It has always however been a core mission of the programme to support young emerging talent on their sporting journey, with the majority of athletes aged under the age of 21 and the largest cohort under 18 years old. Across the programme, 87% of athletes receive no other funding or athlete support, which underlines the importance of the scheme to both athletes and GLL’s social values.
Peter Bundey, GLL Sport Foundation Chair, explains “Our awards work alongside a number of national talent pathways, provide a lifeline to individual athletes as well as helping local communities discover the opportunities and enrichment that comes through sport”.
In 2023 Waltham Forest supported 39 athletes and if possible we would like to support more in 2024. So if you know someone who might be eligible encourage them to apply.