Talented Athlete Funding Application Window Now Open Until 20th February
GLL - the UK's largest charitable leisure social enterprise - is set to assist more than three thousand athletes, through its athlete support programme, the GLL Sport Foundation. Applications are open from 20th December 2022 until 20th February 2023.
The GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) supports athletes across 65 areas of the UK with financial help, physiotherapy, a 'Better' Gym membership and more.
In the wake of a difficult two years, GLL continued with the programme in 2020 and 202, investing into the development of local talent, aspiring to follow previous supported athletes such as Susie Rodgers, Dina Asher-Smith and Lutalo Muhammad.
Suzanna Hext, who won three gold medals in dressage at the 2017 FEI European Championships, and two medals at 2019 World Para Swimming Championshps, as well as 4th in both 100m & 200m Freestyle at the 2021 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, has been a fantastic ambassador for the GSF.
Commentating on the support she has received from the Foundation over the years, Suzanna said:
'The support from GSF is vital for my training going forward at Heath Hydro, Link Centre and in Truro. The facilities and staff are second to none and this means a lot to me as a Para athlete'.
'The next few years leading into the Paris Parlympics are going to go so quickly. I am looking forward to focusing towards the Europeans this year, leading into the 2024 Paris Paralympics'.
'Having continued suport from the GLL Sports Foundation would hugely benefit my training and access to training facilities, allowing me to focus on the major championships to come, and perform knowing I've left no stone unturned with the help of the GLL pools and gym facilities'.
In 2021, 63% of the GLL Sport Foundation's supported athletes were under 21 years old and 96% received no other funding.
The impact of the Foundation is significant and highlighted by GSF Patron Sally Gunnell OBE who remains the only athlete to hold consecutive Olympic World and Commonwealth titles. 'From my own experience starting out as a young athlete and progressing through my sport, I understan how important the recognition and support from organisations like the GLL Sport Foundation can be to young athletes. It can make the difference in achieving sporting ambitions.
'This is ever-more important today as we recover from a difficult and challenging two years, where dreams have been put on hold and sport had to stop. Athletes can now refocus having re-started competition and working towards those goals with the support of the GLL Sport Foundation.'
Over its 14 years, the GLL Sport Foundation has invested over £12.1 million supporting athletes, providing more than 16,000 awards. This support has yielded a staggering 76 Olympic and Paralympic medlas for GSF athletes. Athletes can join this prestigious group by applying for support in 2023.
Applications are open until 20th February 2023 via the website portal.