£1.2m of support available to young talent in Croydon and across the UK

The UK’s largest independent athlete support programme closes its annual Award programme for new applications on 20 February.

Talented athletes from Croydon and across 65 areas in the UK are invited to apply for a range of support awards which include financial support, access to sport facilities, physiotherapy, lifestyle mentoring and mental health support.

The innovative scheme is provided by charitable social enterprise GLL and expects to award £1.2m worth of help in 2023 for successful applicants. Already a popular and essential support programme for athletes, the 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. 

All successful applicants in Croydon will be given access to the 250 sport and leisure facilities across the UK operated by GLL under its “Better” trading brand.

Peter Bundey, GLL Sport Foundation Chair, said: “With the majority of award holders aged under 21 and 87% receiving no other funding support, our Sports Awards offer a lifeline to many talented young athletes as well as helping local communities discover the opportunities and enrichment that come through sport”.

Previous recipients of support in Croydon include athlete Derek Kinlock, who adds: “I’ve been on the GLL programme for 2 years now and it’s been very beneficial in helping me achieve my goals. This has helped me to be able to access facilities like the gym, track, and pools which are all essential to my sport.

Derek adds: “I really believe that having this funding will help me reach my main goal of competing in the Olympics and bringing a medal home. Without this funding and other support I don’t think I would of been able to achieve a European gold.”

Applications are open until 20th February 2023 via the website portal – www.gllsportfoundation.org