Athletes from across Bedford’s sporting spectrum were the centre of attention last week as Bedford International Athletics Stadium hosted the town’s first ever GLL Sports Foundation Awards.
The GSF scheme is run by the GLL company who took over the running of six of the Borough’s sporting and leisure facilities in February and aims to, “develop local talent, providing a platform for talented athletes to continue to train and perform in their chosen sports.”
A total of sixteen local athletes and figures from local sport were recognised and given their awards by Mayor Tom Wootton (Conservative), with the prize winners also given free access to GLL facilities, as well as free mental health support to help with future endeavours.
Athletes will also be able to access physiotherapy support through the scheme.
Ten of the sixteen athletes who won an award were at the event to commemorate their acceptance to the largest independent athlete award programme in the UK.
Also present was Justin Levene, the two-time Jui-Jitsu world champion from Bedfordshire and officially in the top 10 most influential disabled people in the country, who took part in a Q&A session with GLL’s Health and Physical Activity Manager, Andrew Gilbert.
“This year, we have athletes from 8 up to 57 years of age coming on to the GLL Sports Foundation scheme,” said Gilbert.
“Their passion for sport is so inspiring and we are delighted to support them. It takes hard work to turn your dream into reality, but these athletes have the motivation.”
New world record set for Goulding
One of the evening’s recipients was 30-year old, Alex Goulding, who is a well-known name in Bedfordian sport and wellbeing circles for his work in schools and the local community.
It’s been a busy year for Goulding, beginning with receiving an honorary degree from his old university at Nottingham Trent, where he now sits on the Alumni Board assisting the university’s current crop of students with mental health support.
Goulding was also forced to regain one of his many world records earlier this year – ‘The most pushups to planks in one minute’ – and he did so, setting a new target of 72 adding to his mammoth collection of Guinness World Records.
Also on the agenda is an ironman as well as a 100km race in 2025 as well as the continuation of his hugely popular public suicide awareness workouts into the new year.
Read: World Record holder to host new year workout in aid of mental health awareness
Speaking to Bedford Independent, he praised the GLL for providing the support they do, and for their recognition to some of Bedford’s up-and-coming athletes.
“It’s nice to be recognised and being able to get some advice from other people in the mental health sector is a huge advantage”, said Goulding.
“Being able to use the facilities at the athletics track and Robinson Pool has been brilliant and a massive help for my training. The event to recognise Bedford’s athletes was fantastic.”
You can find out more about Alex’s work at www.alex-goulding.com.
The full list of recipients of the GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) awards in Bedford are as follows:
2024 Achievement Athletes
Varun Bandi, 18, athletics
Laura Allen, 19, judo
2024 Talent Athletes
Lyla Danobrega, 16, athletics
Callum Inkson, 15, gymnastics
Eloise Cole, 15, swimming
Thaila-Jade Mason, 16, athletics
2024 Training Athletes
Eric Breslin, 16, gymnastics
Alex Goulding, 30, plyometrics
Jeala Jarvis, 8, tennis
Tara Adams, 44, tug-of-war
Micah Taylor, 25, motorsport
Sophia Hooley, 8, tennis
Rachel Cameron, 42 triathlon
Nora Haggart, 57, cycling
Megan Barnicoat, 13, swimming
Neil Guess, 37, touch rugby
