Talented Croydon athletes scoop GLL Foundation Awards
Eighty-four talented young people from Croydon have received awards from the GLL Sports Foundation (GSF), to help them along their sporting journey.
The athletes, who compete nationally and internationally, will receive grants of up to £500 to help with access to sport facilities, physiotherapy, lifestyle mentoring and mental health support.
The young sports men and women were recognised at an awards ceremony at Ashburton Hall on Thursday (6 July). The awards included the categories Olympic, Paralympic, Deaflympic, Special Olympic and Commonwealth sporting disciplines.
Emily Brunellesi, 14, is from Waddon and fences with Dream Fencing Club. She started fencing six years ago and is now placed third in the English rankings and fourth in the British rankings for her age group.
She said: “When I started fencing, I had no idea how much I was going to enjoy the sport or that I would be selected to the England Squad. I’m so proud of my achievement, but I have reached a point where I will need to regularly travel abroad to compete and improve my rankings.
“It would be my dream to make it onto the GBR Cadet Squad, however, the lack of funding for our sport means that my parents have to bear all the cost for equipment, training, travelling, accommodation and competition fees. I believe, with the right support, I have the determination to achieve great things and do my parents proud.”
Joseph Ramdas, 14, is from Norwood and is a member of the Allen Taekwando Academy. He has been doing taekwondo since the age of four and is now a 2nd Dan black belt. He trains six days a week with his club and mornings from home and has progressed to competing internationally. He said the award will help bring him closer to his dream of becoming a GB athlete.
Executive Mayor Jason Perry attended the awards alongside Councillor Andy Stranack, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture.
“Sport has such a positive impact on every aspect of young people’s lives – helping them to stay healthy.
“I was delighted to attend the reception at Ashburton Hall to recognise the young athletes from Croydon, and also acknowledge the support they receive from their parents, guardians and coaches.
“It is inspiring to see the immense contribution and effort these young sports men and women have committed to their respective sports. Through our partnership with GLL we are breaking down barriers and helping them to reach their full potential. It is exciting to see so many young athletes from the borough receive this support and represent the huge sporting talent Croydon has to offer.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
GLL Sports Foundation patron and former Olympic Champion Sally Gunnell explained the core role the foundation takes in supporting the next generation of athletes.
She said: “Sport is such an important element in our lives whether that be as an athlete, a coach or within the wide network of support, sport can and will continue to deliver so much for us. This was seen once again from the euphoria that gripped the nation during the World Athletics Championships last year.”
Peter Bundey, GSF Chair, said: “The wealth of young sporting talent within our local communities is truly inspiring. We are delighted to play our part in supporting the development of sporting talent across every region in which GLL operate sports and leisure facilities. We believe that the vast majority of the athletes that benefit from the GLL Sport Foundation will give something back to sport and society in a positive way; whether as a future champion inspiring the nation, sports coach, volunteer, fundraiser or as an inspirational role model to other young people to get active and involved in sport.”