GLL Sport Foundation (GSF), the UK’s largest independent athlete support programme, has announced its largest ever annual athlete awards for 2019.

A total of 3,120 athletes will receive GSF support worth a total of £1.8 million this year – including cash support totalling £360,000. The recipients are spread across 117 sporting disciplines.

This brings the total athlete funding value to £11 million since the scheme began in 2008, with previous recipients including Olympic Gold Medallist and World Champion Boxer Anthony Joshua OBE, Team GB Track Athlete Perri Shakes-Drayton (pictured) and Paralympic Champion Swimmer Ellie Simmonds.

The Foundation was founded by charitable social enterprise GLL to provide talented athletes with financial support as well as access to training and sport science facilities. The Foundation awards were launched after GLL had identified an increasing number of talented athletes who were receiving no sport funding and had given up on their sporting dreams through lack of support.

The Foundation’s Patron, Sally Gunnell OBE said:

I am delighted that in 2019 the GLL Sport Foundation is supporting over 3,000 athletes to achieve their potential. With more than 96% of supported athletes not receiving any other additional funding, it is clear that we are reaching those that need support most.

I’m sure we will see many successes for young GSF athletes in 2019.

The announcements come as many athletes are training to be picked for Team GB’s IAAF 2019 and Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics 2020 squads. GSF funded athletes won 20 medals at the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Peter Bundey, GSF Chair, said:

We are delighted with our 2019 awards and proud of the positive contribution we have made to sporting talent across the UK. Funding for athletes has been very much in the spotlight in recent years and we still see big funding gaps across sports and talent pathways.

We are determined to continue our funding commitment for the next generation also, by investing in younger, aspiring athletes to help future talent fulfil their potential as elite level sporting stars.

Photo c. GLL Sport Foundation