Ambassadors

Tom Daley is a British diver, specialising in multiple events. He is an Olympic gold medallist in the men's synchronised 10-metre platform event at the 2020 Olympics and double world champion in the FINA 10-metre platform event, winning in 2009 at the age of fifteen, and again in 2017. He is an Olympic bronze medallist in the 2012 platform event, the 2016 synchronised event, and the 2020 platform event, making him the first British diver to win four Olympic medals. 

He is a one-time Olympic champion, 3-time World Champion, 2-time junior World Champion, 5-time European champion, and 4-time Commonwealth champion.

Tom is a Legacy ambassador for GSF and has always been a great advocate of the foundation.

At the age of 13, Ellie was the youngest British athlete at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, competing in the 50m, 100m and 400m freestyle, 50m butterfly, and 200m Individual Medley. She won gold medals in the 100m and 400m freestyle events.

In 2012, Simmonds repeated her gold performance to win the 400m freestyle at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, in which she took five seconds off the World Record time. Two days later, she took Gold in the 200m Individual Medley, breaking the World Record that she had set in the qualifying round that morning.

In 2016, at the Rio Paralympics, Ellie defended her Gold medal for the 200m individual medley setting a new world record, the first below 3 minutes at 2:59.81 Simmonds also won a bronze medal in the 400m freestyle at the 2016 Paralympics.

In addition, Ellie has won ten gold World Championship titles. Ellie has since retired but is still a Legacy Ambassador of the GLL Sport Foundation and regularly uses GLL/Better facilities.

Jade represented Team GB at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics in the Long Jump. Jade placed 4th at the 2003 World Championships and won a silver medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. She also won a silver medal at the European Championships in Munich in 2002. Jade has since retired but is still a Legacy Ambassador of the GLL Sport Foundation.

Jade said, “I want to continue to work with the GLL Sport Foundation as a Legacy Ambassador and pass on my experience and knowledge to aspiring young sports people.”

Susie is a former Paralympic swimmer, a gold and bronze medallist in the S7 classification, who won a total of 30 international medals during her career, including 17 gold. Susie was awarded an MBE by Her Majesty the Queen following her retirement. Susie now advises on disability inclusion globally, is an Ocean Ambassador for the Marine Conservation Society in the UK and serves on several boards as a director. She still swims regularly in a Masters club and uses GLL facilities frequently. 

Susie said, “Throughout my career as an elite athlete, GLL was always by my side. I spent a lot of time in their pools and got to know all the staff very well during those early starts! I am grateful for their belief in me and the support I received financially during my career. However, it is since retiring that I have really connected deeply with the foundation. Not only can I use my platform to encourage other young athletes to apply for support as they start out in their careers, but equally I can demonstrate that sport doesn't and shouldn't stop once you reach retirement at the professional level. Whilst I rightly no longer receive funding, I do have access to GLL facilities and throughout the pandemic, being able to swim when we could access leisure centres again, really kept me going. So, GSF are with you as a current but also a retired athlete, which is a rare thing and for that, I am very grateful."

Kim is a Doctor and Paralympic table tennis player. He is an 8 time national champion, previous Commonwealth silver medallist and 2 time Paralympian. 

"For the past 5 years, GLL has supported me with training and facilities to help me continue to compete at the highest level. In 2020 I gave up my chance to compete in Tokyo to work as a Doctor during the pandemic which unfortunately ended up with me stepping away from competing internationally. With GLL support, I competed again and managed to win my 12th National title, becoming the 2023 National Champion. It was also an honour to be asked to talk at my local GLL awards ceremony!

I am proud and honoured to continue in my role as a Legacy Ambassador. The constant support from GLL has allowed me to continue to compete on top of a demanding job as an NHS doctor. I hope this year to compete internationally again and defend my national title. Thanks again to the whole GLL team!"

Perri is a British retired track and field athlete. After specialising in the 400 metres hurdles in the early part of her career, a knee injury at the 2013 World Championships forced Shakes-Drayton to concentrate on the 400 metres on her return to athletics. She is the 2013 European Indoor Champion in the 400 metres and won a 2012 World Indoor Championship gold medal in the 4 x 400 metres relay. She has also won silver and bronze medals in the 4 × 400 m relay at the World Championships.

Perri is a big supporter of GLL Sports Foundation, a previous GSF board member and a Legacy Ambassador.

Daryll Neita is a British sprinter. In 2022, she won her first individual international medals, with bronze in the 100 metres at both the European Championships and Commonwealth Games. Daryll claimed bronze for the 60 metres at the 2023 European Indoor Championships. She has won several medals as part of Great Britain 4 × 100 m relay teams, including Olympic bronze medals in 2016 and 2021, World Championships silver medals in 2017 and 2019, and European gold in 2018.

Her 60 metres indoor best of 7.05 seconds and 100 metres best of 10.90 seconds achieved at the 2023 ISTAF Indoor and 2022 Commonwealth Games respectively puts her second on the relevant UK all-time lists behind Dina Asher-Smith. Daryll is a four-time British national champion, once outdoors over 100 m, twice outdoors over 200 m, and once indoors over 60 m.

"Very happy and grateful to continuously be supported by GLL, it's been many years and I would not be where I am without the backing of GLL. I train in Italy, overseas, and often when home I use my local track - Sutcliffe park - free of charge, this is super helpful that I'm able to use the facilities for free!"

Joseph Clarke MBE, is a British slalom canoeist who has competed at the international level since 2009, specializing in the K1 (kayak) and KX1 (extreme kayak/kayak cross) events. 

He is the 2016 Olympic champion in the K1 event, the 2023 World champion in the same event, a triple World champion in the kayak cross discipline, and has won multiple medals at World and European Championships. He is the most successful kayak cross competitor at a global level in the history of the event.

"I have been selected to represent Team GB at the Paris Olympics and hope to repeat my previous success in 2016 and be crowned Olympic champion again!"

"When I was just starting out in paddling I was supported by GLL through Rugby Borough Council with the Excellence in Sports Awards in 2008. Now over 15 years later I feel incredibly proud to become an ambassador to help inspire people who are also at the start of their journey. I have been a part of the GB teams since 2011 tallying up a total of 57 medals as an individual but also in team events.

 

Having 2 World Championship Medals across 2 Olympic events in 2021/2022 alongside an Olympic Final in Tokyo are just one of many highlights in my career and I hope with the support of GLL I can reach the next Olympics and go for gold."

Michaela Walsh is an amateur boxer from Ireland who fights in the featherweight division (54 – 57 kg). Michaela is an Olympian, who competed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. At the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow she took the silver medal at flyweight and In 2018 she moved to featherweight, also winning the silver medal. At the 2022 Commonwealth games held in Birmingham, Michaela won Gold.

Michaela and Aidan her brother, became the first brother and sister to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games in boxing, both qualifying in June 2021.

"Having received this award in the past it has been a massive help to me. Being able to have access to the gym whenever I want  so I can get in extra training sessions is amazing. The support from GLL has been amazing and on my journey for qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games has been made so much easier with the help I have got. Many athletes benefit from this award and I am definitely one of them."

Aidan Walsh, Tokyo 2020 Olympic Bronze Medalist. 2022 Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist. Currently in preparation for the 2024 Olympic Qualifying event in Bangkok Thailand.

"From a young man with a very limited career who applied for his first GLL Award. To an Olympic Medalist and Commonwealth Champion who represented GLL from the streets of Belfast to the Olympic Village in the wonderful Tokyo Japan and beyond. This shows what GLL is all about and the impact they have. GLL is about supporting athletes at all levels. Athletes with dreams that truly need support. To be supported regardless of the ups and downs that are inevitable to happen along the way. That's what GLL has done for me. They supported me from a young man who went on to become an Olympic Medalist."

Amy was born without a left hand, and had started off her martial arts career nearly 26 years ago. Fighting against able-bodied athletes she achieved multiple world Champion aswell as international fighter of the year. In 2009, Amy was presented with the opportunity to become a Paralympic tae-kwon-do athlete.

 

Her achievements include double world Para champion four times European champion and the first person to qualify on ranking points for the Tokyo Paralympic games where she achieved a bronze medal. 

"This award will help fund my training equipment and transport to training and competitions. It will be a great help in ensuring I qualify for the Paralympic Games in 2024"

Lucy Charles-Barclay is a British professional triathlete and 3 time World Champion;

-2023 Ironman World Champion and course record holder

-2022 World Triathlon long distance champion

-2021 Ironman 70.3 World Champion

Prior to taking up triathlon, Lucy was an elite distance and open water swimmer. Lucy made her debut in triathlon in 2014 and went on to win the 18–24 women’s age category at the 2015 Ironman World Championship as an amateur, soon becoming a professional thereafter. 

 

"The GLL Sport Foundation has already played a pivotal role in my sporting career, last year the support helped me reach a huge milestone in becoming the Ironman World Champion. Access to the best local sporting facilities allowed me to train to the best of my capabilities in order to progress and reach a goal I had been working towards for a long time. Since turning professional in triathlon in 2017 the support of GLLSF has been fundamental to my success.

This year in 2024 I am turning my attention to the new and exciting T100 series in triathlon, it will feature up to 8 races world wide and the opportunity to be crowned World champion at the end of the series. The support of the GLLSF once again this year will be essential to allow me to do the training required, particularly swim and run training in their facilities as well as the financial support to put towards travel and accommodation costs."

Matthew “Matty” Lee is a British diver and Olympic gold medallist. He has won the gold medal in 10-metre platform at the 2015 European Games, the mixed 10-metre synchronised platform at the 2017 European Diving Championships and has twice been European junior champion on the 3-metre springboard. 

At world level, Matty won the silver medal in the mixed 10-metre synchronised platform event at the 2017 World Championships, and at the 2019 World Championships, Matty and Tom Daley won bronze in the 10 m synchro event. Continuing to build on their success, they then went on to secure the gold medal in July 2021 at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

At the 2022 World Aquatics Championships held in Budapest, Matty partnered with Noah Williams for the first time in an international competition and they won silver in the synchro 10 m platform event. They partnered again at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the synchro 10m platform, where the pair won gold! In the individual events, Matty also won a bronze in 10 m platform.

Matty was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to diving.

Noah Williams is an English diver who represents Great Britain and specialises in the 10 metre platform event. Noah secured a maiden international podium in 2017 with bronze in the men's 10m synchro at the European Championships. 

2022 was a very successful year for Noah, he won 2 Gold medals at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham in both the Men's and Mixed 10m synchro team events, a Silver medal at the World Championships for Men's 10m synchro, and at the European championships Noah secured a Silver medal in the Men's 10m individual event and a Bronze with the Mixed 10m syncro event

Noah made his Olympic debut in the individual 10m platform at Tokyo, in which teammate Tom Daley claimed bronze. The pair are now synchro partners and in their first international competition together in Doha in February, they won a World Championship Silver medal to qualify Team GB a quota place for Paris 2024.

"I will use this award to help me with my training heading into summer, leading into the Olympic Games"

Louis Rolfe is a British Paralympic track cyclist. Rolfe came to note as a cyclist during the 2016 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships where he was part of the gold medal-winning British team sprint event. Rolfe was inspired to take up para-sport after being inspired by the events of the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in London.

“I have continued to work hard to keep improving my performance following the Rio Paralympic Games and have competed at the National Track Championships and the C1 International Paracycling cup this year and medalled at both events. I am still focused and very much loving my full-time cycling life at present. The continued support from GLL means so much to me, I appreciate being able to use the excellent gym facilities very much.”

On 31 December 2016 Rolfe was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list. After switching from Cycling to Triathlon in early 2022, Louis has his sights set on Paris 2024.

Anna Hursey is a Welsh table tennis player. She is thought to be the youngest person to represent Wales at senior level in any sport, having been aged just 10 when she competed for Wales in a European Championship qualification match against Kosovo in 2017.  Anna competed at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, and more recently, the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where she came third in the women's doubles event securing the Bronze Medal.

"My table tennis journey started at five. I trained in Wales and China, becoming the under 18 champion in Wales at 9 years old. Progressing to make my Welsh senior debut at 10, took part in The Commonwealth Games at 11 years old, helping Wales reach the quarter finals of the team event. My 2nd Commonwealth Games culminated in me winning a bronze medal in the women’s doubles.

My present goal is to go to The Olympics in Paris this summer. To represent Team GB in the singles event. I am appreciative of all the support I have received, thankful to GLL Sport Foundation for their help over the years, which has supported me to attend international events, which has aided my development, to now being on the cusp of qualifying for The Olympic Games."

Lilah and Lewis teamed up in 2015 and are six-time British Ice Dance Champions. Their dreams of becoming Olympians came true in Beijing in 2020, where they finished 10th, and they have their sights set on the podium in Milan in 2024.

Lilah and Lewis are two-time European silver medalists and six-time Grand Prix medalists, with a highlight being their first Grand Prix title winning the gold medal at the NHK Trophy in Japan in 2023. For the past two years they have finished fourth at the World Championships and have qualified for the Grand Prix Final. Lilah and Lewis have also been the Challenger Series winners for the past two seasons.

Lilah and Lewis are dedicated to their roles as Ambassadors for UK-based charities and raising awareness for the sport of ice dance in the UK. They are grateful for the support of the GLL Sport Foundation and to be a part of such an inspiring group of athletes, and are honoured to represent Great Britain on the global stage.

Aaron is a British 3x Paralympic table tennis Medalist, world and European medalist born with bi-lateral talapies representing Great Britain internationally for over 10 years.

 

“GLL was my first form of Financial support as a young athlete and I remember the incredible feeling of being supported but also the help that gave me towards improving in my sport. GLL has supported world-class athletes over the years you only have to look back at all the Olympic and Paralympic medalists that have benefited during their early careers be it access to training space, gyms, or financial. It’s a great feeling to be a GLL foundation ambassador and is a foundation I believe is hugely important to young athlete's development.

After having my best season reaching world number 2 winning back to back internationals in America and Italy we enter the Paralympic year. This is the most important season for all athletes going to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The GSF award will be a huge help in the final months of preparation to attend international training camps with the aim to peak at the games and bring my best performance.”

A multiple Paralympic Medallist with over 100 International Career titles to her name, Lucy Shuker is one of Britain's most successful Wheelchair Tennis players. Achieveing career-best rankings of World No 5 in singles and World No 3 in doubles. Lucy is a former Masters Doubles Champion as well as an Australian Open and Wimbledon Grand Slam Doubles Finalist.

In 2001, aged 21, Lucy had a motorbike accident which left her paralysed from the chest down. She started playing wheelchair tennis in 2002 and has gone on to represent Great Britain at four successive Paralympic Games; Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. Winning bronze medals in the women’s doubles in 2012 and 2016, and a silver Paralympic medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.  

Lucy is now aiming to represent Great Britain at a fifth consecutive Paralympic Games in Paris and says “GSF has been an incredible support to me as an athlete, helping me to train and compete at the highest level. I hope that my position as an ambassador with GSF will inspire other female athletes with a disability to pick up a racket and try wheelchair tennis, because it is a sport that has changed my life"

Chris Skelley is a Visually impaired Judo fighter. In 2020 Chris Achieved his ultimate dream and became Paralympic champion, winning Gold in the under 100kg category in Tokyo. He is also a multiple World medalist and European champion. He is currently aiming to become double Paralympic champion at this years Paris 2024 Paralympics, which has not been achieved in 25 years. 

 

‘GLL’s funding helps me cover the costs of crucial training camps, ensuring I’m training in the best judo nations around the world. As well as this, having access to GLL’s fantastic facilities, helps to ensure I can undertake the training I need around the country when I don’t have access to our national centre’

Erin Kennedy is a coxswain with the GB Rowing Team and is a Paralympic Champion from Tokyo. She is also a three time World Champion, four time European Champion and World Record Holder and has recently overcome breast cancer. She has returned to international competition after taking a number of months off for chemotherapy and a double mastectomy and is once again on track to compete at Paris 2024.   

 

Erin says “I am passionate about supporting the next generation of Great British talent and I am delighted to be a GLL Ambassador. Sport has given me so much in my life and has helped me through some very difficult times. The support from GLL has been essential to getting me back to full health for my campaign for Paris 2024.” 

Simon is the son of former professional speedway rider, Steve Lawson. Simon grew up riding BMX bikes, becoming a junior British Speedway champion before a crash in 2001 that paralysed him from the chest down. He turned to wheelchair marathon and by 2015 was the second-fastest Brit at the London Marathon, finishing behind only Paralympic legend and role model David Weir, who also pipped him for gold at that year’s Great North Run, where Lawson took silver. Lawson's successes continued, setting a British record time of 1:25:06 at the Boston Marathon in 2017 and winning the Great North Run for the first time that year. In 2018, he claimed T54 marathon bronze at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast and again in Birmingham for the 2022 Commonwealth games. 

"This season I finished 8th in the Boston marathon with a time of 1 hour 28 minutes, my fastest time for 7 years, so I’m really happy with my training and preparation this season and hopefully that result and time puts me in good stead for this years Paralympic Games!

GSF support and award significantly helps my training and racing, the membership and award, my sport is extremely expensive, costs of racing chairs, tyres, wheels etc and all the travel, the gym membership helps massively too in my fitness" 

Melissa Reid went from a bronze medal at the Paralympics in triathlon in the PTVI division, to world champion Surfer in the PSVI. 

"I competed for a decade at the highest level in triathlon, gaining numerous world European and World Cup titles & medals. After competing at the Paralympics in Rio, I suffered a back injury and was out from running and cycling. I focused on rehab, and found my love for surfing again. I saw an event locally and decided to enter. After my first heat, I was approached by the England manager to compete at the world championships! I headed out to California, got through to the final and came away with the world title. The following few years I managed to compete in both sports at the highest level. 

Unfortunately, just before Tokyo my back relapsed. I had the choice of competing making it my last event, or not going. Knowing what the outcome was going to be I went to Tokyo as my final event before retiring from triathlon. I have gone on to compete for England in surfing still gaining 3 world titles and 2 silvers, winning a world tour, and numerous British titles. This year's goal is to improve my surfing and focus on the long term goal of the Paralympics in surfing. 

As there is no funding or support for adaptive surfing, I have set my own coaching company up to fund my career and life. I aim to grow gradually and get as many people confident in the water, swimming, splashing or surfing. At an affordable cost so everyone has the opportunity."

Suzanna is a Paralympic swimmer, and burst onto the scene of British Para Swimming in 2019, claiming a pair of medals at her debut World Para Swimming championships. Suzanna previously competed in Para Dressage becoming Triple European Gold Medallist in 2017.

 

At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Hext finished fourth in both the 100m and 200m Freestyle final. More recently, Suzanna was included in the British squad for the 2023 World Para Swimming Championships where she won the 50 metre freestyle S5 event and finished second in the 100 metre freestyle S5 competition. Suzannah has been selected to represent Team GB at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

 

Suzanna said "I am hugely grateful to GLL for the continued support on my journey over the past few year. GLL’s support is outstanding and has meant I can access the GLL Leisure centres for training free of charge. I am at a GLL Leisure centre most days, and everyone is always so supportive. It means a huge amount to me."

Imani-Lara Lansiquot is an English sprinter who competes mainly in the 100 metres. She finished fourth in the 100 metres finals at both the 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships and the 2017 European U23 Championships.  In the 4 × 100 metres relay, she won a gold medal at the 2018 European Championships, silver at the 2019 World Championships (where she ran in the heats but not the final), and bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Her 100 metres best of 10.99 secs, ranks her third on the UK all-time list.

“The GLL award has always played an instrumental role in my development, from my junior level, up until the current state of play as I prepare for my second Olympics! I would see it as a great honour to be chosen for the ambassador role, to help inspire a younger version of me and keep the legacy of GLL going. 

The award itself has enabled me to have access to my training centre, Lee Valley. To have facilities like these in London is a rarity, and so for that reason the award is honestly aiding the most integral part of my work. The funding aspect has also helped immensely, with contributing to training camps, sports psychology sessions and petrol to travel to and from training whilst I save for more permanent accommodation near to my training centre..”

Giedre Rakauskaite MBE, is a British Paralympic rower who is a quadruple World champion in the mixed coxed four.

"I am a GB Paralympics athlete, I joined the rowing squad late in 2017 with dreams of taking on the world championships. As a team, we managed to win every race we have entered. My greatest achievement is winning the delayed Tokyo Paralympics. Since joining the team I have been a small part of the 13-year unbeaten streak within the coxed four. I am very proud to be a part of such a long successful legacy. 

This year we have a big task of winning the Paralympics in Paris. Our biggest competitors are America and Germany it will be tough to win against these great teams but we are determined to dominate the field. My journey has not been a clean one. I have had 3 surgeries since joining the team so rehabilitation is a big and important part of driving my success, every time I come back stronger. As a first-time GLL award recipient, I cant wait to unlock all the available facilities and take on a few extra challenges to develop myself outside the team environment."

Graeme Thomas is among the world-class rowers to have progressed through the GB Rowing Team Start talent identification and development programme. Graeme is a former rugby union player who switched to rowing at the age of 20 and has already helped the men’s quadruple scull set new medal milestones at the World Championships. In 2021, he won a European bronze medal in the double sculls in Varese, Italy. Then he went on to win the Diamond Challenge Sculls at Henley Royal Regatta. 

“I am a long-time supported athlete of GLL and it has been fantastic to be supported through my success and struggles over the last decade. After a successful 2022 season in the men's single scull the scene was looking set to race again in the same event in 2023. However after a turbulent winter, suffering from several viruses and training volume fluctuating quite erratically another more serious problem was to occur. Whilst preparing for the World Cup in Lucerne an injury in training caused a complete prolapse of my L5/S1 disc leading to nerve compression. My season was over and in July I had surgery to remove the damaged disc and try to increase stability of that lumbar region. 

I am pleased to say that all of the rehabilitation went well with the help of various GLL swimming pools and I was able to compete and win day 2 of the GB rowing Olympic trials and meet the criteria to continue working towards selection for Paris 2024. All my current focus is on maintaining fitness and health to put myself in the best possible position to improve on a 4th place in Tokyo and challenge for a medal at the Paris Games.”

Rowan McKellar is a British rower. She won a silver medal in the eight at the 2019 European Rowing Championships. In 2021, she won a European bronze medal in the coxless four in Varese, Italy. Rowan competed in the coxless four at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. She won a gold medal in the coxless four at the 2022 European Rowing Championships and the 2022 World Rowing Championships. At the 2023 World Rowing Championships in Belgrade, she won the World Championship bronze medal in the women's coxless four.

“I have never been the biggest or strongest athlete. In order to break into the GB Rowing Team I had to ensure that every ounce of muscle and physicality I had was being used to make the boat go faster than anyone else. I have nothing to waste. In order to fulfil my dream of winning the Paris 2024 Olympic Games I have to ensure I continue to do this to the highest possible standard.”

Jonathan, also known as JJ started fencing at the age of 11 and has worked his way up the ranks quickly. JJ is one of six British Sabre Fencers who was on the British Fencing World Class Programme. 

"Having missed almost the entirety of the past 2 seasons after three major knee injuries, I am finally back in a position where I am training and competing at the highest level. As the Paris Olympic qualification period is ongoing, I can now narrow my sights on the single qualifying space that GB men's sabre has up for grabs. I am currently doing everything I can to make that happen. 

The support from GLL will (as always) alleviate some of the financial stresses associated with travelling the world during Olympic Qualifying as well as provide a platform whereby I can continue my pursuit of inspiring the next generation of athletes to follow their sporting dreams without hesitation, and in doing so, ultimately becoming well rounded and valuable members of our communities."

Ekaterina Avramova started her professional career in 2007. Ekaterina said: “I have been swimming for almost 20 years since I was a little girl. The dream of becoming an Olympian has been driving me all those years”. She is now a double Olympian from London 2012 & Rio 2016. 

As of December 2022, she is the Turkish record holder in the 100 and 200 m backstroke shortcourse, and the 50 m backstroke long course, and was part of the teams that hold the national record in the women's 4 x 50 m medley relay and mixed 4 x 50 m freestyle relay (shortcourse). Ekaterina is also a European Championship Finalist and World Championship Semi-Finalist.

"I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be considered for this award, it significantly supports my journey as a professional swimmer preparing for the Olympic Games in Paris 2024. GSF awards provide crucial resources, including financial support and access to top-notch training facilities and coaching staff. With this assistance, I am confident that I can fully dedicate myself to rigorous training and preparation, ensuring that I am in peak condition to compete at the highest level in Paris. This support will not only help me achieve my dream of representing my country on the Olympic stage, but also inspire future generations of swimmers to pursue their passion with determination and perseverance."

Tully Kearney is a British Paralympic swimmer with Cerebral Palsy and Generalised Dystonia. She is Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Champion and silver medallist, and reigning triple World Champion. Tully holds 3 World Records and multiple European and British Records. Her breakthrough year came in 2015 when she won four Golds, a silver and a bronze at the World Championships in Glasgow, becoming GBR’s highest medal earner of the championships (following which she was runner up for the BBC Young SPOTY award). 

After qualifying for the Paralympic Games in Rio 2016, she unfortunately had to withdraw shortly before flying out due to an injury triggering a sudden and severe progression in her Dystonia. This meant taking an extended time out of the pool and having to learn to swim again with a much greater level of impairment than previously. Undeterred, she returned to competitive swimming becoming European Champion in 2018, triple World Champion in 2019 (following which she was awarded the Pride of Sport Award), Paralympic Champion in 2021 and triple World Champion in 2022. 

Tully has been named in the GB team for the Paralympic Games in Paris 2024, one of only two reigning champions to be selected!

Brodie Williams is a versatile backstroke and individual medley athlete who has won European and Commonwealth Gold - cementing his position on the British Swimming team following a successful 2022.

Brodie's 2022 summer campaign began at the World Aquatics Championships in Budapest, with the athlete achieving a best finish of fourth in the 200m Backstroke final. The Commonwealth Games in Birmingham with Team England then followed, with Brodie taking three medals from three events, the highlight being a spectacular victory in the 200m Backstroke final. he then rounded off his summer with a trio of events at the European Aquatics Championships in Rome.

"My swimming career has been a steady journey, progressing year on year with highs and lows but my determination to achieve my dreams still burns strong. This year I have built on my Olympic experience just missing out on a medal at worlds, with a 4th place and winning gold at this years home games - the commonwealth games 2022 in both the individual 200 back and the 4 x 100 medley relay along with a silver in the 100 back. I believe I can keep progressing and my goal is Paris 2024 and to podium! "

Grace Harvey is a swimmer that has represented Great Britain at numerous international competitions and England at the Commonwealth Games. She won Silver in the 100m breaststroke SB5 at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The following year she became World champion in the 100m breaststroke SB5, alongside winning a silver in the 200m IM SM6 and bronze in the 100m freestyle S6. At the Commonwealth Games 2022, Grace won a silver medal in the 100m breaststroke SB6 – racing up a class as her class wasn’t included in the Commonwealth Games schedule. Additionally she is a 10 time British Record holder and the current world number 1 in the 100m breaststroke SB5. Grace added another silver medal to her collection in the SB5 100m breaststroke one year later at the 2023 World Championships in Manchester.

Grace has been selected to represent Team GB at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games this summer!

 

"The support from the GSF has been invaluable over the last few years, it has been amazing to be a part of a community where everyone is striving and achieving success in their sporting fields. GSF has also helped financially enabling me to attend competition and training camps."

Ryan Owens is a British male track cyclist. He won a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games in the Men's Team Sprint alongside Jack Carlin and Jason Kenny. Ryan has also enjoyed medal success at the Commonwealth Games, UCI Track Cycling World Championships, UCI World Cup Series and is a 4-time British National Champion.

 

“Following my Olympic medal in Tokyo I moved away from British Cycling’s home in Manchester to London in order to study alongside my preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympics and begin laying the foundations for my future. During this time away from my main training base, GLL’s support and facilities have been instrumental in enabling me to retain access to local world class facilities and balance the time-pressures of life as a student athlete. Unfortunately, my Olympic journey came to an end with an injury in January 2024, but GLL Sport Foundation has stuck by me, continuing their support as I navigate my recovery and earlier-than-anticipated transition to life after sport”

Phoebe started playing cricket for Greenwich when she was ten years old, and progressed through the age group teams representing Kent County.

In 2020, she started playing for the regional team, the South East Stars. Since 2021, Phoebe has also been part of the exciting new format of the game, The Hundred, playing for Birmingham Phoenix for two years, and, in 2024, for Welsh Fire.

 

“GLL has supported me for several years before and during my professional cricket career. Their support has enabled me to access a broad range of fitness facilities which has been key for my physical development. Their high-quality gyms and highly skilled staff have been available for me to access whenever I have been away from my team facilities. I am extremely happy to now be a GLL Sport Foundation Ambassador and grateful for the ongoing support”.

Justin is an international wheelchair athlete and is an active champion of disability rights around the world. 

"I have been an ambassador for a few years and the help from GLL and the GLLSF has been integral to my success as an athlete. Recent years have seen me move on from just competing in my chosen sports, but also doing extreme challenges to either raise money for charity, or to push the limits of what is seen as possible for wheelchair users. 

At the end of 2022 I became the first wheelchair user to complete and unsupported crossing of the USA by handcycle, towing my wheelchair behind me. At the start of 2024, I participated in the inaugural Ride For Unity, an intense multi day endurance cycling event riding across the UAE. This was an event that was showing the power of sport and how it can unify people regardless of their backgrounds. In November 20223, I competed in my 2nd World Championships for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and was delighted to retain my world title.

Throughout my time as an ambassador and GSF athlete, I have endeavoured to be as active as possible within the GLL community, whether that be supporting initiatives in my local borough, or helping athletes directly. I look forward to another year of support and helping GLLSF however I can."

Louise Fiddes became a world champion on her World Para Swimming Championships debut in London in 2019, claiming the SB14 100m Breaststroke title - and followed it up by winning two medals at her maiden Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2021. A quartet of swims at the 2022 Para Swimming World Series including the British-Para Swimming Meet saw Louise collect a bronze medal in her final swim, securing third in the Women's MC 200m Freestyle ahead of her second World Championship appearance in Madeira in June 2022.

Louise has been selected to represent Team GB at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games this summer!

Leah is a Welsh and Great Britain international hockey player. In 2004 she made her international debut for Wales against Ireland. She took over the captaincy of her country in 2018 and on 1 June 2019 she became not only the most-capped hockey player but the most-capped Welsh sportsperson. 
Leah has represented Wales in the last four Commonwealth Games. She made her debut for Great Britain in 2019 v India and won a bronze medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. 

"GSF funding has allowed me to train at the highest level whilst feeling supported. I have been able to access gyms and support over the past few years which has been priceless, I am very grateful."