39 talented athletes from Waltham Forest will benefit from a £24,350 fund – thanks to charitable social enterprise GLL.  The athletes will be supported through the GLL Sport Foundation (GSF), the largest independent athlete support programme in the UK, with over 2000 athletes across the UK. 2023 marks the 15^th year of supporting todays’ and tomorrow’s athletes.

There was approximately 60 people in attendance from athletes, parents, staff and London Borough Waltham Forest (LBWF). Cllr Vicky Ashworth, Cabinet leader for Equalities and Communities, supported the event by presenting the certificates with Regional Director, Jamie Coleshill. LBWF Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods, Jarliff Griffin, and the Assistant Director for Sport and Leisure, Paul Tickner. Madam Mayor of Waltham Forest was due to be present until a last minute car incident. Despite a few unexpected absences 23 of 39 athletes attended which represents a high amount given their busy schedules.

There was a selection of hot and cold drinks, a range of food and plenty of opportunities to network. There was a formal presentation on GSF, the sponsor and the launch of Switch The Play Foundation by regional Head of Service, Paul Lister. After the presentation of the awards, Community Sport Manager, Daniel Bank, led an Athlete Panel with the two ambassadors; with world champion triathlete, Lucy Charles-Barclay and Paralympian table tennis medallist, Kim Daybell. During the Q&A a focus was on mental health and how Switch The Play can provide additional support.    

The athlete awards cover Olympic, Paralympic, Deaflympic, Special Olympic and Commonwealth sporting disciplines. With a staggering 89% of award recipients receiving no other sport funding and 66% of recipients being aged under 21, the Sport Foundation has highlighted a vital funding gap for young talented athletes currently competing at National and International levels. 

Elizabeth Ryan, the youngest GSF athlete aged 10, said, “I look forward to using my funding to buy my first swim wetsuit. It will also help my mum with my traveling costs.”

GSF Patron and former Olympic Champion Sally Gunnell explained the core role the GSF takes in supporting the next generation of athletes and thus ensuring a sporting legacy is in place for future generation:  “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, paid tribute to the athletes, programme stakeholders and also highlighted the impact the Foundation is making: “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 in every region in the where 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”

Since its launch in 2008, the GSF has provided over 25,000 athlete awards at a total support value of over £14 million across the UK.

The Gold Coast Commonwealth Games were historic successes for home nations, and GSF supported athletes also broke the Foundation’s record medal haul at a single competition - with 18 medals won between the 60 athletes that competed. 

Supported athletes receive Award packages that include financial grants of up to £500, free training memberships enabling access across 300 GLL and partner operated sporting venues along with access to sports science, medical support and employment opportunities all focussed towards supporting their athlete journey.