Celebrating its 18th Year, the UK's largest independent athlete award programme - The GLL Sport Foundation Awards 2026 - closes its application window on 20 February.
A record-breaking £2m of bursaries and 'in kind' support for 2026 will enable talented young athletes to take part in the UK's largest scheme of its kind.
By April 2026, over 35,000 athlete awards and almost £20million worth of support will have been distributed to aspiring sportsmen and women since the scheme's first awards in 2008.
The innovative sports programme is provided by GLL, a charitable social enterprise and co-operative, which has for nearly two decades proved a popular and essential support programme for athletes battling the high costs of training, travel and equipment needed for their sporting journey.
All successful applicants will be given access to the 250 sport and leisure facilities across the UK operated by GLL under its “Better" trading brand.
The GSF has supported many successful athletes, including Tom Daley, Ellie Simmonds, Anthony Joshua and Kimberley Woods. Past and present GSF athletes won 77 medals at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Commenting on the looming application deadline for the GSF Awards 2026, GLL Regional Director Tony Wallace said:
“Our GSF Awards provide a lifeline to individual athletes as well as inspiring others to get active."
"We are aiming to make this our biggest year yet, offering unrivalled opportunities across the communities we work in."
"We encourage as many talented athletes as possible to get their applications in by the Awards deadline of 20 February."
