Talented athletes from Camden are among those from 70 areas across the UK invited to apply for support from the largest national athlete support programme of its kind. Awards include financial bursaries, free access to gyms, pools and other sports facilities, physiotherapy, lifestyle mentoring and mental health wellbeing support. 

Applications are now open via the website until 20 February 2026.

The GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) Awards 2026 offer £2 million of bursaries and 'in kind' support. The innovative sports programme is provided by GLL, a charitable social enterprise and co-operative, which has for nearly two decades proved a popular and essential support programme for athletes battling the high costs of training, travel and equipment needed for their sporting journey.

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, including those operating in Camden. 

The GSF programme supports 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, 88% of athletes who receive GSF Awards receive no other funding or athlete support. 

The scheme has supported many successful athletes, including Tom Daley, Ellie Simmonds, Anthony Joshua and Kimberley Woods. Past and present GSF athletes won 77 medals at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

The GLL Sport Foundation’s Patron is Sally Gunnell, OBE, and partners involved in the programme include Mary Peters Trust, SportsAid, SportsAid Wales, sponsors from GLL’s supply chain and Switch The Play Foundation. 

Sally Gunnell said: "Young athletes in the UK have never needed support as much as they do today. The GSF programme grows each year - with many recipients becoming household names. I'm looking forward to meeting the sports stars of tomorrow who are starting or continuing their sporting journeys with GSF in 2026.” 

GSF Awards provide a lifeline to individual athletes as well as inspiring other young people in local communities. The programme's supporters encourage as many talented athletes as possible to find out how they may be able to benefit. Applications are now open via the website until 20 February 2026. For more information, visit gllsportfoundation.org.