82 Lee Valley athletes will benefit from GLL Sport Foundation Awards 2026

Lee Valley White Water Centre was the venue for the gathering of Lee Valley's top athletes this week (9 June) as the GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) made its annual awards.

The event saw 82 talented Lee Valley-based athletes awarded £69,000 which includes financial and in kind support as part of the largest independent athlete award scheme in the UK, delivered by charitable social enterprise and worker-owned co-operative, GLL, which operates sport, leisure and cultural facilities under the 'Better' brand.

GLL operates 250 sport and leisure facilities including six venues on behalf of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority - Lee Valley Athletics Centre,  Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, Lee Valley Ice Centre, Lee Valley Riding Centre, Lee Valley VeloPark and Lee Valley White Water Centre.

Now in its 18th year, the GSF has so far contributed nearly £20m worth of athlete funding and support and distributed nearly 35,000 awards to young and talented athletes in 69 areas of the UK where GLL operate and across 121 different sports.

The GSF supports athletes through financial bursaries, access to physical rehabilitation and mental wellbeing support. All athletes are also given access to over 250 GLL-operated sport and leisure facilities across the UK.

Underlining the importance of the awards throwing a 'lifeline' to young athletes during the cost of living crisis, the audience heard how on average 87% of the programme's participants receive no other form of support and 63% are under 21 years old.

Tony Wallace, Regional Director for GLL and Head of the GLL Sport Foundation, said: "GSF is about supporting athletes at the precise point in their careers through their sporting journeys when it's most needed.

"It's also about celebrating the talent in local communities and using that as a springboard to extend opportunities to become physically active and widen and deepen the impact of sport in the communities in which we operate."

"With our client partners Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and new sponsors like Wellhub, we are able to offer world class facilities and wider support to the region's sportsmen and women and share the good news that 82 Lee Valley athletes will benefit from the scheme this year - including kayakers, runners, BMX riders and gymnasts."

Shaun Dawson, Chief Executive, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority said: "We are delighted to be supporting 82 talented Lee Valley athletes by delivering world class facilities in which all athletes can excel as they prepare for major events such as the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and European and World Championships in their respective sports. Designed to allow sporting excellence and community activity to thrive side by side, our venues are home to Olympic medalists, promising young athletes and the world’s best during major international events. They’re also community hubs delivering a busy programme of school, club and community activity as well as inspirational settings for grassroots sport, complete beginners and bucket list experiences for the region and beyond."

“World-leading and at the forefront of their sports, our venues’ success is underpinned by a relentless focus on investment, continuous improvement and a successful partnership with our operator GLL."

“We wish the Lee Valley athletes all the best in their sporting journeys and are thrilled to support the GLL Sport Foundation Awards.”

Corporate wellness platform Wellhub, were among sponsors and partners attending the GSF Awards 2026 event at Lee Valley White Water Centre. Helen Le, Partnership Success Senior Manager, Wellhub, said: "The GSF 2026 Awards Event was an excellent opportunity to see first hand how Wellhub's  sponsorship of GSF helps young athletes perform to their peak and achieve their dreams."

This year, 3,234 athletes nationally will be supported by the GLL Sport Foundation across 117 sporting disciplines.

The scheme's ambassadors and alumni include Lee Valley kayak cross Olympians Joe Clarke and Kimberley Woods, diver Tom Daley, para swimmer Ellie Simmonds, and ice skaters Lewis Gibson and Lilah Fear.

Representing this year’s GSF cohort at the Lee Valley White Water Centre awards event was sports star Vanessa Wallace, F34 Shot Putt International Medallist. She said: "What a great evening to bring local athletes together and celebrate everyone's achievements. To be able to share some of my experience and engage with younger athletes is a privilege".

Athletes holding GSF Awards have achieved medal success at Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games. Medalling athletes have provided inspiration to grass roots sports in their home communities, widening and deepening the opportunities that come through participation.