press release: GLL
London's first ever LGBTQ+ Sports Festival a resounding success
17 Jun 2024
Approximately 20 LGBTQ+ inclusive sports clubs offered free taster sessions throughout the day / GLL
The event, which was the first of its kind to take place in the capital, was established with the aim of breaking down barriers to sports participation.
Approximately 20 LGBTQ+ inclusive sports clubs, representing a wide range of sporting disciplines and drawn from across London, offered free taster sessions throughout the day. Visitors had the opportunity to try their hand at everything from Rugby and Boxing to Line Dancing, Tennis and Jujitsu.
The focus of the Festival was inclusivity, with activities suitable for anyone regardless of their sporting experience or fitness levels. It is hoped that it will serve to increase LGBTQ+ community involvement in sport by raising awareness and providing support.
Event organiser David Lionetti commented: “We had a fantastic turnout on Sunday, with more than 500 visitors enjoying the opportunity to try a different sports, make new friends and experience the mental and physical benefits that sport and physical activities can offer.
“Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, the home of many national and international sporting championships provided an inspiring backdrop and we’re grateful to Better, the charitable social enterprise that operates the centre, for its support.
“This is the first year of what we hope will become a London institution and we look forward to a bigger and better event in 2025.”
More press releases and updates from GLL:
After an incredibly competitive season, the London Youth Games Finals Festival took place at
the end of last month at GLL's Copper Box Arena in London.
New research highlights the importance of children’s swimming lessons as more primary schools
reduce mandatory lessons.
Better’s Rainbow Leisure Centre in Epsom has maintained its ‘Excellent’ status from QUEST –
the Quality Scheme for Sport and Leisure.This follows a mystery visit from the organisation
in April plus a planned audit in May.
Great news for GLL’s successful association with the UK’s Professional Netball scene came
this week with the announcement that England Netball and Netball Superleague (NSL) stars
London Pulse – who are based at Copper Box Arena (CBA) - will be one of eight clubs
participating in the relaunched League from 2025.
Oasis Beach Pool, in Bedford, officially reopened on Tuesday 28 May with a celebration for
the local community - and a VIP ribbon cutting.
GLL
Address:
Middlegate House,
The Royal Arsenal,
London,
SE18 6SX,
UK
Peter Bundey, chief executive
GLL video gallery:
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
Search news, features & products:
Find a supplier: