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56 aspiring athletes from York celebrated at sports awards
- 11 hours ago
- 3 min read
Charitable social enterprise and worker-owned co-op GLL has announced 56 athletes from York ranging in ages from 11-years to 66-years will benefit from the 2026 intake of its GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) – the largest independent athlete award programme in the UK.
The GSF Awards help people overcome financial barriers by funding coaching, equipment, travel and competition fees, supporting and encouraging athletes to reach their sporting potential. Athletes also receive free access to GLL's network of sport and leisure centres, which operate under the Better brand.
Now in its 18th year, the GLL Sport Foundation has so far contributed nearly £20m worth of athlete funding and support and distributed nearly 35,000 awards to young and talented athletes in 69 areas of the UK where GLL operate and across 121 different sports.
At the York GSF Awards 2026 launch event held at the York Stadium Leisure Complex on 16th June, 85 guests gathered to hear how this year’s GSF athlete award fund of £37.8k will help support talented athletes on their sporting journey. The guests, including athletes and their friends and family were joined by the City of York Civic Party; The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of York Councillor Margaret Wells, the Lord Mayor’s Consort Mr Trevor Gant, the Sheriff of York Mr Geoff Cossins and the Sheriff’s Consort Mr Stuart Jarman.
Among local athletes benefiting is 18-year old Nathan Carrington from Strensall, who just this month scooped the Disability Sportsperson of the Year at the YO1 Radio Sports Awards. Swimming since the age of five, Nathan’s career highlight so far is competing in the GB Deaflympics in Tokyo in November 2025, where he was crowned top 20 in the world.
He is also a lifeguard at Yearsley Swimming Pool and is a qualified level two swim teacher. Nathan, who is gearing up to compete at the European Deaf Swimming Championships in Freiburg, Germany in October, explained:
"So far, my sporting journey has been self-funded so to receive this award is incredibly special. The support from the GLL Sport Foundation will help ease some of the financial pressures that come with competing at a high level and allow me to focus on my preparation for the European Deaf Swimming Championships and future international events. I'm very grateful for the opportunity."
With 86% of this year's cohort receiving no other form of funding - up 3% from 2025 - it outlines the significant contribution the athlete programme makes against the challenge of the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Over 18 years, the GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) has continued to be at the forefront of developing local young athletic talent with 63% of athletes under the age of 21.
GLL’s own research shows that many talented athletes struggle to realise their dreams of sporting glory due to rising costs of equipment, training, physiotherapy, travel and nutrition. For them, a GSF Award can be the lifeline to staying in training and meeting their potential. The GSF supports athletes through financial bursaries, access to physical rehabilitation and mental wellbeing support and all athletes are also given access to over 250 sport and leisure facilities across the UK operated by GLL under its "BETTER" brand.
37% of GSF 2026's cohort are new applicants - showing the successful growth and reach of the scheme across communities in Northern Ireland, Wales and England. GSF Patron 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 said: “GLL is a successful worker-owned cooperative and charitable social enterprise that has brought growing impact to public services and local communities over 33 years of successful operation.“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."
The GSF Annual Report will be released shortly. For more information visit www.gllsportfoundation.org The GLL Sport Foundation's Patron is Sally Gunnell, OBE and partners involved in the programme include; SportsAid, SportsAid Wales, Mary Peters Trust, sponsors from GLL's supply chain and local authority partners.
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