Grants for budding South London sports stars up for grabs

Leisure operators GLL – who oversee sports centres throughout South London – are inviting athletes to apply for funding in 2025.

The GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) was launched 17 years ago, with the aim of supporting talented young sportsmen and women with funding and practical help.

GLL operate the leisure facilities in Croydon, Greenwich, Lewisham and Merton under the ‘Better’ brand.

In 2024, GSF supported 308 South London athletes, to the tune of £187,450 and the hope is that the funds will help the area nurture future stars to compare with Lewisham triathlete and Olympic gold medallist Alex Yee, and Greenwich Olympic sprinter Darryl Neita.

Both have been recipients of grants from the GSF in the past and Ladywell Arena – which is run by GLL under the ‘Better’ brand – has just been renamed the ‘Alex Yee Ladywell Arena’.

A GLL spokeswomen said: “Providing funding and support to the next generation of athletes is seen as a major way to spread opportunities in local communities. Access to facilities and athlete health and wellbeing services is similarly key.

“The 2025 GSF Awards programme will see £1.4m in bursaries and free gym memberships made available to communities up and down the nation – including in Croydon, Greenwich, Lewisham and Merton – in what is the largest independent athlete support programme of its kind in the UK.”

Powerlifter Siobhan Taylor said: “Last year, I was fortunate to become a GSF-funded athlete at Merton Weightlifting Club. This support has been fundamental in allowing me to access the support, knowledge and experience needed to progress in powerlifting whilst working full time as an ITU nurse.

“This support has made the improbable possible and resulted in British, European and World champion titles in addition to both British and Commonwealth records. Words alone cannot truly express my gratitude.”

Kayak champion Arina Kontchakov was supported by the GSF in Lewisham last year. She said: “The sponsorship has helped me progress massively in my sporting journey.

“I made the National Junior team in my first year eligible, I won my first international medal at the Junior European Championships, and have now been selected for the British Canoeing World Class Program.”

GSF Awards include free access to Better Gyms and Leisure Centres across the UK.

For more information and an application form, please go to: www.gllsportfoundation.co.uk

The GSF Awards application window opened on December 20 and closes on February 20.

Pictured top: Alex Yee, left, and Darryl Neita, who have both benefited from grants on their respective paths to medal glories (Pictures: GLL)

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