GLL, the UK’s leading charitable social enterprise operating under the Better brand, has celebrated its ongoing partnership with Manchester City Council by recognising the 2025 cohort of GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) recipients in the city. At a special event overlooking the National Speedway Stadium, 109 local athletes were honoured as part of the Foundation’s largest-ever intake in Manchester, representing over £75,500 of investment into the city’s sporting talent.
Manchester stands out as one of the most significant contributors to GSF’s nationwide reach, which spans 78 areas and has supported nearly 31,000 athletes in 119 sports since 2008. In Manchester alone, 66% of supported athletes are under the age of 21, with 29% under the age of 16. The Foundation supports 22 different sports locally, covering a wide range of Olympic, Paralympic, and Commonwealth disciplines.
While the programme is inclusive of athletes from all sporting backgrounds, it has notably supported exceptional Manchester-based athletes such as Paralympic Taekwondo Champion Amy Truesdale, GB Para Swimmer Grace Harvey, and rising young Golfer, Jai Higgins. These athletes have benefited from a range of support package that includes include financial awards but also free access to GLL operated sport and leisure centres across Manchester, physiotherapy services via partners like Manchester Metropolitan University and Pippa Lubek Physiotherapy, and educational workshops on nutrition, strength and conditioning, and performance development.
The event featured key voices from the GLL Sport Foundation and its partners, including GLL Regional Director Tony Wallace, Manchester City Council Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure, Councillor John Hacking, and Switch the Play Foundation CEO, Rob Young, all reinforcing the shared mission to remove financial and structural barriers to sporting success and provide a holistic approach to athlete support and development.
Tony Wallace, Regional Director of GLL, spoke about the programme’s purpose and impact:
"What we’re really trying to do is support talented athletes to reach their full potential, give them the practical help they need along the way, and most importantly, use their journeys to inspire people across the community through sport.”
This year's cohort also reflects the Foundation’s commitment to addressing funding gaps in sport, 73% of Manchester’s supported athletes receive no other financial assistance. GLL’s support aims to ensure that talent is nurtured regardless of background, and that aspiring athletes are not forced to abandon their sport due to financial pressures.
Councillor John Hacking, Manchester City Council said:
“Events like this are genuinely inspirational—it’s incredible to see the passion and dedication of these athletes up close. As a Council, we simply couldn’t provide this scale of support on our own, which is why our partnership with GLL is so important. Through the GLL Sport Foundation, athletes across Manchester are getting vital financial backing and access to top-class training facilities that can make a real difference to their development.”
A panel discussion during the evening included personal stories and advice from Grace Harvey, Para Swimming Gold Medallist, Amy Truesdale Para Taekwondo Gold Medallist and Cade Makin, American football player for the Manchester Titans and GB Team, highlighting the value of resilience, community, and balance in sporting careers.
Grace Harvey, Paralympic gold medallist and the event’s host, reflected on Manchester’s importance as a training base and centre for elite performance:
“It’s been such a privilege to host tonight’s celebration and see so many dedicated and talented athletes recognised. Manchester has always had a special place in my heart, and it’s amazing to witness the support being offered here through the GLL Sport Foundation. I know firsthand how vital that kind of backing can be—not just for performance, but for confidence and opportunity. Tonight has been a real reminder of the power of sport to uplift and inspire.”
With athletes recognised across award categories including Achievement, Talent, and Training, the GLL Sport Foundation in Manchester continues to grow in both scale and ambition. The event concluded with award presentations, athlete celebrations, and a call to continue using the support offered to reach new heights in sport and personal development.
