Dec 18, 2025
Talented athletes from more than 70 areas across the UK are invited to apply for the GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) Awards 2026, the largest independent athlete support programme of its kind in the country.
Celebrating its 18th year, the GSF Awards will provide a record £2 million in financial bursaries and ‘in-kind’ support for 2026. Support includes cash awards, free access to gyms, pools and sports facilities, physiotherapy, lifestyle mentoring and mental health wellbeing services.
Since the programme began in 2008, more than 35,000 athlete awards will have been made by April 2026, delivering almost £20 million in total support to aspiring sportsmen and women. The scheme is delivered by GLL, the charitable social enterprise that operates 250 sport and leisure facilities across the UK under the “Better” brand, all of which are available to successful applicants.
The GSF’s core mission is to support emerging talent, with the majority of award holders under 21 and the largest group under 18. Notably, 88% of GSF athletes receive no other funding, highlighting the programme’s vital role in helping athletes manage the rising costs of training, travel and equipment.
The Foundation has supported a wide range of elite athletes, including Tom Daley, Ellie Simmonds, Anthony Joshua and Kimberley Woods. Past and present GSF athletes won a combined 77 medals at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. With major events such as the Winter Olympics and Commonwealth Games taking place in 2026, the programme continues to inspire both elite performance and community engagement.
Speaking about the programme, GSF Patron Sally Gunnell OBE said: “Young athletes in the UK have never needed support as much as they do today. The GSF programme grows each year, with many recipients becoming household names, and I’m excited to see the sports stars of tomorrow supported in 2026.”
Meanwhile, GLL Regional Director Tony Wallace added, "Our GSF Awards provide a lifeline to individual athletes while inspiring young people in local communities. We encourage as many talented athletes as possible to explore the scheme and see how it could support their sporting journey.”
Applications for the GSF Awards 2026 open on 20th December 2025 and close on 20th February 2026. Click the button below to apply and for more information.
Apply now