Last night, some of south London’s most accomplished athletes came together at Ashburton Hall to celebrate Croydon’s GLL Sport Foundation awards.
The event – which marked the announcement of the local sportspeople who will be supported by the Foundation this year – was attended by 120 guests, including 50 athletes and their families along with Councillor Robert Ward, Cabinet Member for Parks and Culture, and Chris Rowney, Director for Culture and Community Safety at Croydon Council.
The GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) was launched in 2008 and has grown to become the UK’s largest independent athlete support programme. It provides financial and in-kind support to talented athletes of all ages, helping them overcome barriers to progress in their sporting careers.
Funding assists with essential costs such as travel, coaching, equipment, and competition fees. All supported athletes also receive free access to GLL’s sport and leisure centres and wellbeing services, operated under the ‘Better’ brand.
Nationwide, the 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 across 121 different sports.
This year, the Croydon arm of the GSF will be supporting 140 local sportspeople – the highest number ever in the borough – with the total investment amounting to more than £100k. Many of the 2026 recipients are involved in athletic sports such as running, javelin and hurdles.
Yesterday’s awards evening was a chance to recognise the breadth and diversity of talent being developed in the borough’s clubs, schools and community groups, and to honour the support of families, coaches and community workers.
Para-athlete, Ryan Raghoo, aged 29, is one of the GSF-supported athletes who joined in with last night’s celebrations. A wheelchair rugby player, he grew up in Croydon and currently lives in New Addington.
“Being supported by the GSF will be a massive help,” he comments. “It will allow me to train three or four times a week for free and also hire badminton courts to practise agility and speed in my wheelchair. Having access to these facilities is a game-changer. My local ‘Better’ centre is ten minutes from my house so I’ll be able to balance training with work and family life much more easily.
“I would advise any athlete to apply for GSF funding – you don’t necessarily need to be a high-level performer. Any support is beneficial.”
Fellow sporting superstar and champion diver, Desharne Bent-Ashmeil, aged 22, will also be supported by the GSF this year. She is currently on a sporting scholarship to a university in Tennessee, USA, where she is studying for a degree in kinesiology, and is aiming to compete in the next Olympics in 2028.
“I’ve been selected for Team GB and GSF funding will help so much with the cost of flights when I come back to compete in the UK or internationally,” she explains. “Diving requires strength, flexibility and agility so it’s also fantastic to be able to go to the gym at my local ‘Better’ centre and also take part in Pilates classes. It keeps me a well-rounded athlete.”
Croydon has four major leisure centres with swimming pools operated by Better, an athletics track, over 30 tennis courts, a smaller community gym, and several community spaces, all offering a variety of opportunities to keep residents active in a fun and sociable way.
David Hughes, GLL’s Partnership Manager for Croydon, says, “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 140 athletes in Croydon 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."
Councillor Ward, Croydon’s Cabinet member for Parks and Culture contributes, “It was a real honour to attend this event and celebrate the achievements of these talented young people as they received their awards. We are incredibly grateful to GLL for this funding. I look forward to seeing where their journeys take them and wish them every success in the future.”
Jason Perry, Executive Major of Croydon, adds, “We are incredibly proud of all the athletes recognised at this year’s GLL Sport Foundation awards. Their talent, dedication and hard work are a real source of pride for Croydon.
“Supporting a record 140 local athletes with more than £100k of investment is a fantastic benefit for the borough. The GLL funding plays a crucial role in helping sportspeople cover the costs of training, travel and competition. It ensures that talent from Croydon can thrive, excel and compete on the biggest stages. Congratulations Team Croydon. We are cheering for you all the way!”
