Two Tower Hamlets athletes supported by the GLL Sport Foundation head for Birmingham 2022

Gavin Rumgay , 37 who is competing in Table Tennis  will participate as one of this year’s 145 GSF supported athletes will take part in a variety of different sports - including athletics, boxing, netball, para-athletics, swimming, para table tennis and triathlon.

The GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) is the UK’s largest independent athlete support programme which is designed to give young talented athletes a range of funding, access to sports facilities and athlete support services. The GSF work in partnership with SportsAid, SportsAid Wales and the Mary Peters Trust in Northern Ireland as well as numerous sporting, medical and local authority partners.

In 2022 over 1,500 talented athletes are being funded by the GSF, of which an 87% receive no other centralised or independent funding or assistance. The GSF support has provided a lifeline to the athletes and an inspiration to other young people in local communities particularly as sport training and competition emerges from the Covid pandemic. 

They also provide a support network for a growing number of talented athletes heading to national and international competition.

Gavin Rumgay  said: "The support of GSF has been fantastic  & continuous for years. That's so important. Age isn't a factor either. It's purely on ability.”

Peter Bundey, GSF Chair, paid tribute to the GSF athlete award holders heading to Birmingham:

“We are proud to be supporting so many talented athletes – including Gavin that will be competing for their countries in the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.

“They exemplify the very best of our communities and embody the spirit of our social enterprise philosophy and I wish them the very best of luck.

“I want to thank our sponsors, partners and supporters for helping give these athletes a welcome boost and allowing them to continue the richly diverse sports they love and excel in.”

The GSF is the brain-child of GLL, the UK’s largest charitable social enterprise delivering sport, leisure, culture, health and community facilities.