68 local athletes have been given a GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) award following a record number of applications to the scheme this year. The awards were presented at a special event on 15 June at Waltham Forest Town Hall.
Young athletes were very well represented, with 37% of the awards going to under 16s. This year’s youngest recipient is karate competitor Edward Turchyn who trains at Waltham Forest Feel Good Centre. Edward won a silver medal at the Copenhagen Open karate competition last year and will be competing in the Polish Open this weekend. Edward said: “I am proud to get this funding. It helps me do my best and represent England at international competitions. My aim is to train really hard and win gold.”
BMX competitors Harry Holmes, aged 13 and sister Erin Holmes, aged 11 also received awards, along with 11-year-old sailing champion Jude Baldock.
The awards event was attended by GSF Chair and GLL CEO, Peter Bunday, new Waltham Forest Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Communication, Cllr Anna Rose Kerr, and Strategic Director for Neighbourhoods and Environment, Debbie Porter.
Local triathlon athletes Lucy Charles-Barclay and her husband Reece are both GSF recipients and Lucy participated in a Q&A at the event in her capacity as a GSF ambassador. She said: “We cannot thank the GLL Sport Foundation enough for their ongoing support. Without their help, we couldn’t have dreamt of reaching the level we have so quickly and we have stayed loyal to the support programme since to help inspire more athletes.”
The largest independent athlete award programme in the UK, GSF supports athletes through financial bursaries, access to physical rehabilitation and mental wellbeing support. In addition, all athletes are given access to over 250 sport and leisure facilities across the UK operated by GLL under its “BETTER” brand.
This year, a record number of applicants were received from athletes across the UK. Daniel Bank, GLL Community Sport Manager, said: “In 2026, GSF will be providing £45,000 of support to Waltham Forest athletes, 96% of whom receive no other financial backing. “Without this scheme, many would be self-funding their training and competitions or relying on family support via the bank of mum and dad. We gave awards to nine new athletes aged under 14 this year and the support is particularly key for this age group.”
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