The GLL Sport Foundation is the UK’s largest independent athlete support programme and provides financial help, access to sport facilities, physiotherapy, lifestyle mentoring and mental health support. The scheme demonstrates GLL’s social values and is a clear example of how GLL invest into the communities that we work in. 

Each year, GLL, the leisure operators in Waltham Forest aims to increase their cohort of athletes on the GLL Sport Foundation and once again this has happened. Back in 2022 there were 30 athletes on the programme and now there are 63. Last year, there were 46 athletes, so the latest funding represents a massive 37% increase and means in 2025 that the scheme is an investment of over £40,000 into local athlete development.  

On June 12th, 2025, the GLL Sport Foundation Awards for Waltham Forest took place in the Town Hall. It was the first year it was held at this prestigious venue and was attended by a few dignitaries including Lead Councillor Grace Williams, who spoke very kindly about the partnership between GLL and Waltham Forest Council. Councillor Williams said; “Our shared commitment to breaking down barriers and making sure it's a level playing field for everyone in Waltham Forest”. 

A staggering 94% of Waltham Forest award recipients receiving no other sport funding and 60% 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. 

The athlete awards cover Olympic, Paralympic, Deaflympic, Special Olympic and Commonwealth sporting disciplines. In Waltham Forest, there are 16 disciplines supported with lots of athletes in athletics, swimming and karate due to the strong presence of clubs in those sports.  

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.”   

Waltham Forest is privileged to have two ambassador level athletes the Paralympian table tennis star Kim Daybell and World Champion triathlete, Lucy Charles Barclay. There are 3 athletes who are recognised at the Achievement level of funding, 2 in the Talent category, there is one athlete who receives the Under 18 Top Up support as they already benefit from other funding and then there is the impressive 55 Training athletes. The full list of athletes is in the downloadable content at the bottom of this article.  

 
Peter Bundey, GSF Chair, paid tribute to the athletes, programme stakeholders and 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”  

Councillor Williams echoed Peter Bundey’s comments by expressing "To those receiving an award, well done, it is testament to your hard work, your stamina, and your ambition that you have achieved what you have achieved so far."