A 15-year-old showjumper and a 52-year-old pole vaulter are among the latest cohort of the GLL Sports Foundation awards, as the Borough’s leisure provider hands out its latest funds to up and coming athletes in the area.
Now in its 18th year, the GLL Sport Foundation has so far contributed nearly £20m worth of athlete funding and distributed nearly 35,000 awards to young and talented athletes in 69 areas of the UK, across 121 different sports.
60 guests, including 17 of the 47 athletes gathered at Mowsbury Golf and Squash Complex on Wednesday, 10 June to hear how this year’s GSF athlete award fund of £31,900 will help support talented athletes on their sporting journey.
The numbers are up from 2025, when 18 athletes contributed from a total pot of £18,900 in the town.
Among the recipients was 14-year-old Mia Flynn, who began competing with Bedford and County Athletics Club in 2022 across multiple events.
Back in 2023, she broke the club’s Under-13 girls’ discus record with 26.34 metres, ranking fourth in the UK and has gone from strength to strength ever since.
By 2025, Mia found herself at number two in the UK rankings, winning medals at every major competition, including silver at the English Schools and England Championships.
Her outstanding form has continued into 2026, with a personal best of 54.09 metres, victory at the Southern Counties Championship, and winning her first national title at the UKA Winter Long Throws Championships.
On receiving her GSF Award, Mia said: “The support from the GSF award will help provide access to high-quality training facilities, coaching, and specialist equipment needed to help me reach my full potential.”
86% receive no other funding
Para athlete, Julie Rogers was another local athlete to benefit from the vital funding, alongside 15-year-old showjumper Brooke Bendall, 52-year-old pole vaulter Robert Kingman, and 23-year-old cheerleader Chloe Sherwood.
37% of 2026’s cohort are new applicants, and 86% of this year’s recipients receive no other form of funding – up 3% from 2025.
GSF Patron, Olympic gold medallist, Sally Gunnell OBE said: “It’s fantastic to see the GLL Sport Foundation announcing its largest ever award cohort in 2026.
“The support continues to make a difference to young athletes at precisely the point in their careers when they most need it – keeping them training and focused on success.
“I wish them the very best of luck in their sporting careers.”
GSF Chair and GLL CEO, Peter Bundey added: “Our GLL Sport Foundation remains central to our remit to widen and deepen opportunities available to talented young athletes and build a legacy through sport.
“Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and our own purposed business model we are delighted to announce a record 3234 athletes will benefit from the programme this year.
“I want to wish them every success, and we look forward to seeing them in competition here and abroad in years to come.”
