GLL backs UK water polo talent

Some of England’s top water polo players have benefitted from a £23,900 award pot – thanks to charitable social enterprise GLL through its athlete support programme the GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) the largest independent programme in the UK, in partnership with SportsAid and British Swimming.

The GLL funding – which will benefit 38 water polo players across the UK – is focussed on supporting the talent pathway and the programme is designed to help young athletes with 95% of awards recipients aged under 21.

Mhairi Nurthen – who has been named on the GB team for this summer’s European Games in Baku – admitted the GLL funding was helping support her goal of representing GB at the highest level.

“The award supports me with training and travel costs both in the country and camps abroad to enable me to gain valuable game experience,” said Nurthern.

“I am a member of the GB U17 squad. My goals are to develop from junior to senior level water polo and compete at international level.”

GSF Patron and former Olympic champion Sally Gunnell explained the core role the Foundation takes in supporting the next generation of athletes and thus ensuring a sporting legacy is in place not only for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in 15 months time but towards the 2020 Tokyo and the 2024 Games.

“It is vitally important that we inspire young people to excel in sport and harness their talent towards future Games,” said Gunnell.

“From starting out as a young athlete and progressing through my sport, support through your development years is crucial; I am delighted that through this programme I am able to champion such support for sporting talent.”

Supported athletes receive award packages that include financial grants of up to £1,250 used to fund competition expenses and sporting costs, training memberships enabling venue access across GLL and partner operated venues to supplement their core training programmes; and access to sports science, performance sport and employment opportunities all focused towards supporting their athlete journey.