Kensington & Chelsea GLL Sport Foundation Awards Evening

he 2026 GLL Sports Foundation Awards for Kensington & Chelsea took place at Chelsea Old Town Hall on Wednesday 10th June. The awards attracted over 60 attendees, which included 14 supported GSF athletes from across the borough.

The evening was opened by the Mayor of Kensington & Chelsea with the main presentation delivered by GLL National Community Engagement Manager, Colin Coughtrey which included an overview of the successes of the foundation over the past 18 years, the current national and local picture, as well as the partners who help make it all possible. Including Switch the Play Foundation, who support athletes with their mental health and wellbeing. 

Local GSF athletes in Kensington & Chelsea include Tennis player Jovan Kezunovic and national junior Taekwondo champion Pedram Mohajer. On the evening 14 athletes were presented from several sports, who all received GSF certificates and Goody Bags from the Mayor and local councillor.

There was a video message from Olympic ice skaters and GLL Sport Foundation Ambassadors Lilah Fear & Lewis Gibson, who are currently in Canada training. They spoke of the continued support that the GLL Sport Foundation has given them throughout their career.

A Question & Answer session was conducted with GSF Athlete Damarni Velinor-Schumann, three time national Basketball champion and part of Great Britain's 3v3 squad.  Damarni highlighted the importance of being able to use GLL facilities to practice on a regular basics and his ambitions of going to the LA Olympics in 2028. 

Partnership Manager Emily Simmons said, “The sporting talent in the borough is extremely impressive and great to have so many together tonight. With 93% recieving no other funding they all spoke of the importance of being part of the GLL Sport Foundation".

Ben Lett Community Sport Manager commented, "The partnership has a history of producing athletes competing at high levels and this year's intake continues that tradition. It was great to get so many together and be able to hear able their sporting journeys".

Kensington & Chelsea Size and Scale   
· 30 athletes supported   
· £22,690 value (£4,600 in cash and £18,090 in kind)  
· 93% of athletes receive no other central funding  
· 11 sports supported    

Thank you to GLL staff Colin Coughtrey, Emily Simmons, Daniel Palmes, Ciaran Robinson, Shabaz Hussain, Stefano Chiotis, Charles Smith, Gary Starkey and Ashton Rennie for all their hard work in the lead up to the awards and on the night.