Charitable social enterprise and worker-owned co-op GLL hosted its ever-popular GLL Sport Foundation Sponsor Engagement Day on 18 September - returning to Panshanger Golf Course in Hertfordshire for a day to celebrate the GLL Sport Foundation and connect with its valued sponsors for a round of golf and an opportunity to meet those involved in the programme.
Now in its 17th year the GLL Sport Foundation is the largest independent athlete support programme in the UK. Over 31,000 athlete awards worth £17m have been distributed since the Foundation's inception in 2008.
The event was a chance to celebrate the ongoing success of the GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) - which this year has grown to provide over 2800 athlete awards. It was also an opportunity to thank its growing family of sponsors for the continued contribution to the initiative which provides a vital lifeline for young athletes to fulfil their potential.
The GSF supports athletes through financial bursaries, access to physical rehabilitation and mental wellbeing support and all athletes are also given access to over 250 sport and leisure facilities across the UK operated by GLL under its 'BETTER' brand.
10 sponsor organisations attended; Technogym, Speedo (Pentland Group), Kyocera, Taylor-Made Designs, Lyreco, PHS Group, Physical Company, Pumps and Motors, Play Football, Corrigan and Chapman.
Also taking part were GSF's Athlete All Star team, consisting of Paris 2024 Paralympic Silver medallist track cyclist Blaine Hunt and Olympic Gold medal diver Matty Lee - both GSF National Ambassadors - and GB Cycling Paralympic track cyclist Matt Rotherham who won Gold in Tokyo 2020 and also works for GLL as a cycling coach at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester.
GSF Legacy Ambassadors Paralympic thrower Vanessa Wallace and Commonwealth basketball international and former London Lion Joe Ikhinmwin joined Blaine and Matty for an athlete Q&A - giving insight into their success, the challenges of juggling schedules, their inspirational role models, proudest career moments and how GSF has supported them through the highs and lows or international competition.
Trophies and prizes were given to the Winning Team, Individual Winner, Nearest The Pin and Longest Drive. All sponsors were presented with a framed t-shirt and a GSF goody bag.
Among senior GLL staff taking part were CEO and Chair of the GLL Sport Foundation Peter Bundey and GLL Regional Director Tony Wallace.
Peter Bundey said: “We are only able to make our strong commitment to our young athletes due to the support of our partners. Our GLL Sport Foundation Sponsor Engagement Day is a fantastic opportunity to thank them and share our programme’s widening impact with them through meeting the athletes in person.
“Our Sport Foundation goes from strength to strength - with over 2800 awards made this year. We look forward to seeing award recipients on competition podiums in years to come and inspiring others in their local communities to take part in sport and physical activity for the benefits it brings to health and the opportunities it offers."
Steve Bennett, Chief Commercial Officer at Play Football said:
"We thoroughly enjoyed a superb GLL Sponsor Engagement Day. It was great to meet other sponsors, share some laughs and most importantly of all, it was fantastic to hear inspiring stories from the athletes that GSF has supported, giving us a greater understanding of how our sponsorship is helping to make a tangible difference."
Blaine Hunt said:
“I’m really grateful to be part of the GLL Sport Foundation Sponsor Engagement Day and to meet some of the incredible companies whose support makes it possible for the GLL Sport Foundation to continue leading the way in helping athletes across the country achieve their potential.”
