Applications for the 2025 GLL Sport Foundation Awards are now open, giving Bedford’s athletes a chance to access a pool of money and usage of facilities in order to foster their sporting talents.
The GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) was launched 17 years ago, with GLL operating the leisure facilities in Bedford under the ‘Better’ brand.
Applications are welcomed from aspiring athletes in Bedford, with free gym memberships and bursaries offered by the programme which has supported talent up and down the country.
In 2024, sixteen of Bedford’s athletes were supported to the tune of £10,100 and now the chance to be part of 2025’s cohort is open.
A total of 2,256 athletes benefited from the national 2024 intake of its Sport Foundation, with a total of £1.295m donated, comprising of financial bursaries, training, access memberships and physiotherapy included.
That figure is rising to £1.4m in total this year.
The programme continues to widen and deepen the opportunities that come through sport across all communities.
According to GSF research, a lack of money to compete in their favourite sport is the biggest threat to the sporting dreams of young people.
This research says more should be done to support Britain’s talented young athletes and help them achieve sporting success, as well as there being a national pride that stems from it.
One of last year’s recipients in Bedford was fitness expert and multiple Guinness World Records holder, Alex Goulding who outlines how the award has helped him this calendar year:
“The GLL Awards provided me with an opportunity to train at any of the leisure facilities free of charge and it allows me to concentrate on my training without having to worry about costs.
“They also provide mental health support, which is something I’m passionate about, and the use of the gym has helped me with an Ironman coming up as well as my Guinness World Record attempts.
“Working with the Switch to Play Foundation has also been useful, so the GLL Foundation Awards have helped me from a number of different angles.”
For more information and an application form, go to www.gllsportfoundation.co.uk.
GSF Awards Application window opens on Friday 20 December 2024 and closes on 20 February 2025.
