The GLL Sport Foundation is offering a total of £1.4m in funding for promising athletes in the borough
Local professional rugby player Sonia Green is a former recipient of the GLL Sport Foundation Award, Credit: GLL
The GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) has opened its annual award programme to talented athletes who train at Better venues in Waltham Forest.
GLL Sport Foundation is the UK’s largest independent athlete support programme, offering £1.4m worth of assistance in the form of financial support, free access to sport facilities, physiotherapy, lifestyle mentoring and mental health support.
Local Saracens legend Sonia Green and former award recipient said: “It is no understatement to say that using the GLL facilities and resources from the Sport Foundation has helped me achieve the things I have in my career. In the early stages, I really needed the financial support as there wasn’t much money in female sport. I am enormously grateful forthe help and would encourage other aspiring athletes to apply for an award.”
According to new GLL research, supporting sport is seen as important by the people in the South East – 83% said taking part in competitive sports benefited young people’s physical health, discipline/focus (74%) and social/teamwork skills (71%). In addition, 27% said that a career in sport offers great opportunities to younger people from under privilegedbackgrounds.
The GLL Sport Foundation was launched 17 years ago by sport and leisure operator and charitable social enterprise GLL, with the aim of supporting talented young athletes with funding and practical help. It has so far contributed over £13m to help over 24,000 athletes on their sporting journey.
GLL Sport Foundation supported athletes have excelled in major competitions, gaining over 86 Olympic and Paralympic medals and 77 Commonwealth Games medals.
Other previous holders of GSF awards include Darryl Neita (athletics), Anna Hursey (table tennis), Charlotte Worthington (BMX), Alex Yee (triathlon), boxers Anthony Joshua, Aiden and Michaela Walsh, divers Tom Daley, Matty Lee and Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix and swimmers Tully Kearney, Susie Rodgers, Tom Dean and Ellie Simmons.
The awards are open now and close on 20 February 2025. Applicants can apply via this website
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