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.
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 2021, investing into the development of local talent. In 2021 GLL supported more than 900 Aquatic Based Athletes and in 2022 is investing over £1.2 million into the development of local athletes who aspire to follow in the footsteps of athletes such as Tully Kearney, Matty Lee and Tom Dean. Applications are open until 20th February 2022.
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 understand 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 13 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 medals for GSF athletes. Athletes can join this prestigious group by applying for support in 2022.
Applications can be submitted via the GLL Sport Foundation website from 20th December 2021 to 20th February 2022.