On Thursday, 19th September, Bedford International Athletics Stadium (BIAS) hosted Bedford’s first GSF celebratory event, an occasion to recognising the remarkable achievements of local athletes supported by the GLL Sports Foundation (GSF). Running from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, the event aimed not only to celebrate these athletes but also to provide an opportunity for local clubs to attend and find out more about GSF.
The evening kicked off with an informative and inspiring presentation by Peter Bundy, CEO of GLL and Chair of GSF. The presentation highlighted the significant contributions of the GSF scheme in developing local talent, providing a platform for talented Bedford athletes to continue to train and perform in their chosen sports.
A highlight of the evening was the attendance of the Mayor and Leader of Bedford Borough Council, Councillor Tom Wooton who alongside Peter Bundy, presented awards to the athletes and delivered a closing speech, thanking GLL for their significant contributions through the delivery of GSF. Other attendees on the evening included, Leisure and Culture Portfolio Holder, Cllr Sarah Gallager and Director of Environment, Craig Austin.
The event saw a turnout of 10 supported athletes attending, accompanied by their families and friends, bringing the total number of guests to 60. The atmosphere was lively and celebratory, with attendees enjoying refreshments and a chance to speak to fellow athletes, parents and club representatives. Each athlete went home with a GSF-themed goodie bag, a token of appreciation for their hard work and dedication.
GLL Health and Physical Activity Manager, Andrew Gibert hosted a Q&A session with GLL Ambassador Justin Levene, Justin is a 2 time Jui-Jitsu world champion and officially in the top 10 most influential disabled people in the UK. A truly inspiring athlete who provided a fantastic insight into his journey.
The GSF event successfully achieved its objective of recognising and celebrating local sporting talent and inspiring future successes, making it a memorable evening for all involved and we look forward to the next event in 2025!
