GLL Sport Foundation continues support of aquatic athletes in 2022

GLL has announced its continued support of aquatic athletes in 2022 through its athlete support programme, the GLL Sport Foundation (GSF).

In 2021, more than 900 athletes from aquatic sports were supported and this year, GLL are set to invest more than £1 million into the development of local athletes who hope to follow in the footsteps of Olympians such as Tom Dean, Ellie Simmonds and Matty Lee.

Applications for the grants close on Sunday 20 February and double Olympic champion, Dean, explained what the GLL Sport Foundation means to him.

He said: “I am proud to be supported by a Foundation that has helped so many talented athletes along their journey.”

Paralympic gold medal-winning swimmer Susie Rodgers also shared her story, saying: “I was a recipient of the programme from the start of my career.

“I would recommend you all apply – it’s that support that makes a real difference and, who knows, in the future you might become an Olympic or Paralympic champion.”

Achieving sporting ambitions

The GLL Sport Foundation supports athletes across 65 areas of the UK with financial help, physiotherapy, a ‘Better’ gym membership and more.

Over the 13 years since it began in 2008, GSF has invested more than £12.1 million supporting athletes, providing more than 16,000 awards.

Sally Gunnell OBE, Patron of GLL Sport Foundation, says programmes like GSF can help young athletes achieve their ambitions.

She said: “From my own experience starting out as a young athlete and progressing through my sport, I understand how important the recognition and support from organisations like the GLL Sport Foundation can be to a young athletes. It can make the difference in achieving sporting ambitions.

“This is ever-more important today as we recover from a difficult and challenging two years, where dreams have been put on hold and sport had to stop.

“Athletes can now refocus having re-started competition and working towards those goals with the support of the GLL Sport Foundation.”