press release: GLL
94 GLL Sport Foundation athletes set to shine at Paris 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games
16 Jul 2024
GSF-supported 17-year-old Welsh table tennis prodigy Anna Hursey / GLL
A remarkable cohort of 94 athletes, both past and present beneficiaries of the Foundation's support, have qualified to compete on the world stage. This achievement underscores the Foundation's pivotal role in nurturing sporting talent and supporting athletes in reaching the pinnacle of their careers.
GSF is the brainchild of GLL – the largest charitable social enterprise leisure trust in the UK, celebrating 30 years in 2023. It is the largest independent athlete support programme in the UK.
Since its inception in 2008, the GLL Sport Foundation has been committed to fostering athletic talent across the UK. By providing financial aid, access to training facilities, and comprehensive support services, the Foundation has distributed over 25,000 athlete awards to the value of over £15m to help athletes to pursue their dreams.
During the cost of living crisis, the Foundation has made the critical difference for many young athletes who struggle to maintain their training programmes. The majority of GSF athletes are under 21 years old and 87% receive no other form of funding.
GSF’s Paris bound athletes will compete in 23 sports spanning a wide range of disciplines, including swimming, athletics, boxing, diving, and more, these athletes have showcased their prowess in national and international competitions, earning their spots to represent their national team at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Among these athletes are household names who have previously made their mark on the global stage, as well as emerging talents poised to become the next generation of sporting icons. Daryll Neita, Aidan and Michaela Walsh, Joe Clarke, Kimberley Woods and Tom Daley all hold GSF National Ambassador status.
GSF-supported 17-year-old Welsh table tennis prodigy Anna Hursey and 1500m runner Georgia Bell are emerging talents to look out for at the Paris Games.
Peter Bundey, CEO of GLL and Chair of the GLL Sport Foundation said: “We could not be more proud of our 94 Paris-bound athletes whose dedication, perseverance, and excellence has powered them through to the very top of elite competition.
“When we set the GLL Sport Foundation up it was in response to a lack of support for athletes aiming to realise their sporting dreams. Now, more than ever, we are seeing the enduring need for ongoing access to training, financial aid and wellbeing support – making the crucial difference to young talented athletes being able to stay in competition.
“We wish them the very best of luck and look forward to seeing them back home with their medals.”
GSF National Ambassador Daryll Neita / GLL
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GLL
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Peter Bundey, chief executive
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Key personnel
Peter Bundey, chief executive
Key customers
Companies we work with include Annodata, Physical Company, Technogym, Change Please and Divine Chocolate.
Local Authorities and Agencies we work with include Greenwich Council, Belfast City Council, Cardiff City Council, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, LLDC, ukactive, SportsAid, SportsAid Wales, Mary Peters Trust, Swim England and Sport England.
Local Authorities and Agencies we work with include Greenwich Council, Belfast City Council, Cardiff City Council, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, LLDC, ukactive, SportsAid, SportsAid Wales, Mary Peters Trust, Swim England and Sport England.
Plans for the next 12 months
Our 2025 strategies and roadmap are already well-shaped and are based on our Five-Year Plan, which was launched last year.
With our positive performance and improved social outcomes during 2024, GLL is well placed to be at the forefront of societal, economic and environmental change.
The future will see us focusing on excellent customer service alongside our social enterprise values and growing our social impact, while effective partnerships with national health and wellbeing agencies will support individual lifestyle and wellness outcomes.
We’re delighted to see strong data indicators that show engagement with a diversity of age, demography and levels of activity across our facilities.
To foster community strength, health and mental wellbeing, we’ll balance the provision of health, fitness, team sport and social activities across a 50/50 split of male/female users, backed by an enhanced digital customer focus.
With our positive performance and improved social outcomes during 2024, GLL is well placed to be at the forefront of societal, economic and environmental change.
The future will see us focusing on excellent customer service alongside our social enterprise values and growing our social impact, while effective partnerships with national health and wellbeing agencies will support individual lifestyle and wellness outcomes.
We’re delighted to see strong data indicators that show engagement with a diversity of age, demography and levels of activity across our facilities.
To foster community strength, health and mental wellbeing, we’ll balance the provision of health, fitness, team sport and social activities across a 50/50 split of male/female users, backed by an enhanced digital customer focus.
Testimonial
“We made the decision to begin supporting the GLL Sport Foundation in 2015, and it is a pleasure to announce the renewal of our sponsorship with this incredible institution.
"Many bright and talented athletes throughout the United Kingdom are unable to chase their dreams of sporting glory due to lack of funding. We are passionate about helping GSF give equal opportunities to all young people and achieving their dreams of competing on the international stage.
"Our partnership enables both our brands to share the success of the UK’s most aspiring athletes who we are proud to have heard speak in such an inspirational way at our internal Sales Conferences and who have supported our marketing and brand development goals through representation and storytelling both in person and via social media”.
– Rod Tonna-Barthet, chief executive, Annodata
"Many bright and talented athletes throughout the United Kingdom are unable to chase their dreams of sporting glory due to lack of funding. We are passionate about helping GSF give equal opportunities to all young people and achieving their dreams of competing on the international stage.
"Our partnership enables both our brands to share the success of the UK’s most aspiring athletes who we are proud to have heard speak in such an inspirational way at our internal Sales Conferences and who have supported our marketing and brand development goals through representation and storytelling both in person and via social media”.
– Rod Tonna-Barthet, chief executive, Annodata
Testimonial
"I am so thankful for the support I have received from GLL Sport Foundation. My first individual medal ever is extremely special, and I would not be here if it wasn’t for the support, I have received from the GLL ‘family’.”
– Daryll Neita, Birmingham Commonwealth Games bronze and silver medalist, GLL Athlete
– Daryll Neita, Birmingham Commonwealth Games bronze and silver medalist, GLL Athlete
Testimonial
"This exciting new chapter cements the future of our six key sports venues and is part of our commitment to the many communities we serve far and wide. We have carefully structured this partnership with GLL to ensure that visitors will continue to enjoy the very best in these stellar, highly popular venues. We look forward to together creating exciting new programmes and activities that draw on the strengths of both organisations.
“These venues are part of the Lee Valley visitor experience and will continue to be so with some of the best facilities and most inspiring settings to be found anywhere. As part of the partnership Lee Valley Regional Park Authority will continue to invest to ensure that they go from strength to strength, delivering real impact for communities.”
– Shaun Dawson chief executive, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
“These venues are part of the Lee Valley visitor experience and will continue to be so with some of the best facilities and most inspiring settings to be found anywhere. As part of the partnership Lee Valley Regional Park Authority will continue to invest to ensure that they go from strength to strength, delivering real impact for communities.”
– Shaun Dawson chief executive, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
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