Islington Celebrates Local Talent at GLL Sport Foundation Awards 2026

Islington Town Hall hosted the GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) Awards on Tuesday 16 June, welcoming around 70 attendees for an evening dedicated to recognising and celebrating local sporting talent. Among those present were 27 athletes currently supported through the GSF programme.

The event opened with a welcome address from Councillor Ruth Hayes, Deputy Leader of Islington Council and Executive Member for Health and Social Care. Attendees also heard from GLL Regional Director and Head of the GLL Sport Foundation, Tony Wallace, who delivered an update on the programme at a national level. Gillan Kelly, Islington Partnership Manager, followed with a borough-focused update, highlighting the wide-ranging work GLL continues to deliver across Islington.

A Q&A session featured 4 supported athletes: Lily Caunt (Triathlon), Kye Malcolm (Trampolining), Kola Abidogun (Fencing) and Vanessa Wallace (Shot Put and Javelin). The athletes shared their personal journeys, reflections on their sports, and ambitions for the future. GSF ambassador Vanessa Wallace shared her experiences competing at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Awards were presented by Deputy Mayor Councillor Jilani Chowdhury alongside GLL Chief Officer Justin Jardine. As each athlete came forward, a short profile was read out highlighting their achievements and aspirations, before receiving their certificate and goody bag.

The GLL Sport Foundation continues to make a significant impact across the borough. In 2026, the programme is supporting 72 athletes across 22 different sports, with a total value of £51,140 in support, comprising of direct financial assistance and training memberships. 78% of supported athletes receive no other central funding, underlining the vital role the programme plays in helping athletes pursue their sporting ambitions.