This month, charitable social enterprise GLL hosted its annual Sport Foundation Sponsor Engagement Day - this year at Panshanger Golf Complex in Hertfordshire.
The GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) is the UK's largest independent athlete support programme which has so far invested £20m into communities across the country to widen and deepen the opportunities that come through sporting participation.
A record number of sponsors who are all part of GLL's supply chain took part, including Technogym, Speedo, Kyocera, Lyreco, Pumps & Motors, Physical, Taylor Made Designs, PHS, Play Football, Corrigan & Chapman, Wellhub with Jacksons, Wise Security and Academia.
GSF patron Sally Gunnell OBE attended the day with GLL chief executive and Chair of the GLL Sport Foundation Peter Bundey and chief executive Designate Phil Donnay.
The event served as an opportunity to review the success of the programme which continues to support podium performances at national and international sporting competitions - including this summer's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Past and present performance athletes attending were diver Noah Williams, fencer JJ Webb, judoka Jamal Petgrave, hurdler Emma Nwofo, long jumper Jade Johnson and wheelchair tennis player Louise Hunt Skelley.
All took part in a Q&A reflecting on their sporting journey and how the GLL Sport Foundation has supported them in helping them achieve their sporting ambitions.
GLL regional director Tony Wallace said: "Thank you to Sally Gunnell our patron for attending alongside our talented athletes and our generous sponsors - without whom the GLL Sport Foundation would not have been able to support over 36,000 athlete journeys since 2008.
"It's a true sporting partnership that's widening and deepening opportunities for communities through sporting participation in addition to producing medallists of the highest calibre who are fostering a sense of national pride and inspiration."
After trophies and prizes were given to the Winning Team, Individual Winner, Nearest The Pin and Longest Drive, sponsors were presented with a framed t-shirt from this year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, representing all of the GSF athletes, past and present, who took part.
Emma Nwofor commented: "Meeting the sponsors was the highlight of the event! It was great to put faces to the people who are behind so much of the support we receive as athletes. Their contribution makes a real difference to my journey, so being able to meet them, have a chat and say thank you was really special.
"I’m proud to be part of the GLL Sport Foundation and incredibly grateful for everyone who helps make it possible!”
This year has been a fantastic year for sport with many GSF athletes taking part in major competitions. 115 supported athletes past and present competed at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow winning an impressive 12 medals.
