South London says support for its young athletes is key to reaching goals
Sporting talent in Croydon invited to apply for funding in 2025
As the GLL Sport Foundation opens for 2025, new research reveals that most people in London are in favour of giving talented athletes a 'leg up'.
Providing funding and support to the next generation of athletes is seen as a major way to spread opportunities in local communities. Access to facilities and athlete health and wellbeing services is similarly key.
Supporting sport is seen as important by the people of south London – 75% of those surveyed said taking part in competitive sports benefited young people’s physical health, discipline/focus - 67%, and social/teamwork skills - 68%.
43% say that a career in sport offers great opportunities to younger people from underprivileged backgrounds. That’s ahead of public sector jobs like teaching - 20% and NHS - 21% or private sector jobs like finance - 19% and IT - 36%.
Furthermore, younger people in London were more likely than older people to identify a career in sport as a way to make a living - 30% of 18 to 24’s and 38% of 25 to 34’s versus just 22% of 55 to 64 year-olds).
The research (1) was conducted by The GLL Sport Foundation ahead of the application window opening for the GSF Awards 2025 programme on 20 December - where £1.4m in bursaries and free gym memberships will be made available to communities up and down the nation – including in Croydon, Greenwich, Lewisham and Merton – in what is the largest independent athlete support programme of its kind in the UK.
The GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) was launched 17 years ago by leisure operator and charitable social enterprise GLL, with the aim of supporting talented young athletes with funding and practical help.
GLL operate the leisure facilities in Croydon under the ‘Better’ brand.
The programme continues to widen and deepen the opportunities that come through sport across all communities.
In 2024, GSF supported 90 athletes in the London Borough of Croydon with a cumulative value of £58,800.
50% of 256 people surveyed in the London area admitted that the success of UK athletes, teams and sportspeople is very important to generating a sense of national pride.
The research found this was heavily influenced by the success of heroes such as Lewisham’s Alex Yee and Daryll Neita from Greenwich who can act as inspirational role models for young people.
To apply for funding, please visit https://www.gllsportfoundation.org/