Charitable social enterprise leisure operator GLL, has renewed its contract with corporate wellness platform Wellhub, giving Wellhub users expanded access to GLL’s leisure and community facilities across the UK. Wellhub has also become a new sponsor of the GLL Sport Foundation, the UK’s largest independent athlete support programme helping develop emerging British sporting talent.
As the largest operator of public leisure facilities in the UK with iconic national sports facilities such as Copper Box Arena, Lee Valley VeloPark, Lee Valley White Water Centre, Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre and flagship venues such as the Britannia Leisure Centre in Hackney, this renewed agreement builds on a successful partnership launched in 2021. As part of the contract extension, Wellhub users will now have access to additional GLL sites and benefits delivered under the ‘Better’ brand, including spa services at eight locations - a first for the Wellhub UK network - and enhanced access to fitness classes.
Through its new sponsorship of the GLL Sport Foundation, Wellhub will also help fund essential services for young athletes, such as training, rehabilitation, and wellbeing programmes. A portion of revenue generated through Wellhub access at GLL locations will be reinvested into the Foundation’s work.
Tony Wallace, Regional Director for GLL and Head of the GLL Sport Foundation, said:
"We are pleased that Wellhub - a company we already work with - has agreed to become a valued sponsor of the GLL Sport Foundation.
"As partners in sport, we are closely aligned on the outcomes we want to see around increasing opportunities to get physically active with convenient membership options, online activity bookings and accessible locations.
"We look forward to sharing the success of our talented athletes with them in the years ahead."
Jas Genesis, Head of Fitness Partnerships UKI at Wellhub, added:
“Our renewed partnership with GLL, and especially our new sponsorship of the GLL Sport Foundation, marks an exciting new chapter for Wellhub. We are deeply committed to fostering holistic wellbeing, and this collaboration allows us to further our mission by directly supporting the next generation of UK athletic talent.
"The GSF provides a vital lifeline for athletes of all ages, and we are incredibly proud to contribute to their journey towards sporting excellence - aligning perfectly with our values of promoting physical and mental health.
"This partnership also demonstrates the strength of our model: we deliver high-quality members at zero cost to our partners while creating long-term, purpose-driven impact.”
Wellhub is a leading global corporate wellness platform, trusted by more than 75,000 gyms, studios, and wellness providers worldwide. By partnering with employers, Wellhub delivers new, high-quality members at no cost to operators - 67% of whom did not previously hold a gym membership. Through this model, providers gain incremental revenue and reach new audiences, while employers deliver impactful wellbeing programmes with seamless in-person and digital access.
The GLL Sport Foundation supports nearly 3,000 athletes annually across 117 sporting disciplines with access to 250+ UK leisure facilities and counts elite talent such as Tom Daley, Ellie Simmonds, Anthony Joshua, Joe Clarke, Kimberley Woods, Lewis Gibson and Lilah Fear among its ambassadors and alumni. The Foundation has been described as a lifeline for young athletes facing the rising costs of training and competition.
The majority of awarded athletes are under 21 and most have no other source of funding support. Representing this year’s GSF cohort at Wellhub’s funding announcement were the BMX Millar siblings from Hackney. Phoebe, 9, Katie,13 and Thomas, 17, all train at the Lee Valley VeloPark and are future medal contenders.
Katie Millar said: “My GSF award has given me access to gym membership and riding sessions reducing the cost of weekly training”
"This important support has enabled me to continue to improve my strength and skills on and off the track."
Together, Wellhub and GLL are expanding access to fitness for employees and communities alike - helping more people get active while supporting young athletes in reaching their potential.
To date, the GSF has supported 31,000 athletes who have achieved medal success at Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games. Medalling athletes have provided inspiration to grass roots sports in their home communities, widening and deepening the opportunities that come through participation.
