Richmond’s athletes invited to apply for GLL Sport Foundation Awards 2026

For the first time, talented athletes in Richmond upon Thames will have the opportunity to apply for support through the GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) Awards 2026, the UK’s largest independent athlete support programme.

The scheme offers a comprehensive package to help athletes reach their full potential, including:

• Financial grants
• Free access to gyms, pools, and other sports facilities
• Physiotherapy and lifestyle mentoring
• Mental health and wellbeing support

Richmond is home to many talented athletes. Earlier this year, Team Richmond achieved a superb silver in the Jubilee Trophy rankings of the London Youth Games.

Councillor Alan Juriansz, Lead Member for Sport at Richmond Council, said: “We are delighted that athletes in the borough can now benefit from this fantastic programme. Sport plays a vital role in our community, not only in promoting health and wellbeing but also in inspiring ambition and achievement. This aligns perfectly with our Richmond Moves for a Healthier Borough strategy, which aims to make physical activity accessible for everyone. The GLL Sport Foundation will help remove barriers for talented athletes and ensure they have the resources they need to succeed.”

Celebrating its 18th year, the GSF programme is bigger than ever, with a record £2 million of grants and benefits available in 2026.

The GSF has supported some of the UK’s most successful athletes, including Tom Daley, Ellie Simmonds, Anthony Joshua, and Kimberley Woods. At the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, past and present GSF athletes won 77 medals, showing the impact of the scheme.

GLL Regional Director Tony Wallace, said: “Our GSF Awards provide a lifeline to individual athletes as well as inspiring other young people in local communities. We encourage as many talented athletes as possible to look into the scheme and find out how they may benefit from our support.”

This year’s awards coincide with the start of a new 10-year partnership between Richmond Council and GLL, which brings significant investment and improvements to Pools on the Park and Teddington Pools and Fitness Centre, helping to ensure that the borough’s athletes train in modern, inclusive and high-quality facilities as part of our wider commitment to health and wellbeing.

Applications close on 20 February 2026. Successful applicants will gain access to 250 sport and leisure facilities across the UK operated by GLL under its “Better” brand including Pools on the Park and Teddington Pools and Fitness Centre.

For more information and to apply, visit the GLL Sport Foundation website.