The GLL Sport Foundation Awards offer a range of support for young athletes, but the deadline for applications is approaching

A row of young sports people pose in a stadium with a banner which reads 'applications now open' — At the GSF 2024 Awards launch at LNER Community Stadium: Thomas Moss (Sailing), Lucy Hadaway (athletics), Emma Lewis (GLL), Tony Wallace (GLL), Dylan Parsons (Volleyball), Luke Smith (Volleyball), Daisy Sanderson (York Valkyrie)

Talented athletes across Barnet are invited to apply for the UK’s largest independent athlete support programme – the GLL Sport Foundation Awards – before the closing date of 20 February. The range of support awards includes financial help, access to sport facilities, physiotherapy, lifestyle mentoring and mental health aid.

Now in its 15th year of operation, the GLL Sport Foundation has so far contributed over £14m and distributed 26,000 awards to support young talented athletes on their sporting journey.

The innovative scheme is provided by charitable social enterprise GLL and a number of partner sponsors and expects to award £1.2m worth of help in 2024 for successful applicants. Already a popular and essential support programme for athletes, the Foundation is expecting heightened athlete interest as training costs, equipment purchases, strength & conditioning costs and travel costs continue to rise.

All successful applicants will be given access to the 250 sport and leisure facilities across the UK operated by GLL under its “Better” trading brand.

Applications opened on 20 December 2023 and are available until 20 February 2024.

Over the past 16 years, GLL Sport Foundation supported athletes have excelled in major competitions and have gained 76 Olympic and Paralympic medals and 77 Commonwealth Games medals. 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, swimmers Tully Kearney, Susie Rodgers, Tom Dean and Ellie Simmons.

A core mission of the programme is support young emerging talent on their sporting journey, with the majority of athletes aged under the age of 21 and the largest cohort under 18 years old. Across the programme, 87% of athletes receive no other funding or athlete support, which underlines the importance of the scheme to both athletes and GLL’s social values.

Commenting on the closing of the application window for the GSF Awards 2024, Peter Bundey, GLL Sport Foundation Chair, said:

“There’s still time for talented athletes across Barnet to apply for our awards and take advantage of a unique opportunity to reach their sporting potential.”

“Previous athletes tell us the awards provide a lifeline to individuals who want to compete at the highest level as well as helping local communities discover the opportunities and enrichment that comes through sport.”

Applications are open until 20th February 2024 via the website portal – www.gllsportfoundation.org

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