On Tuesday 16th July 2024, Islington Town Hall hosted the annual GLL Sport Foundation awards evening to celebrate athletes in Islington being accepted onto the largest independent athlete award programme in the UK.
The awards evening was a great opportunity to present athletes with their official certificates and to celebrate their successes over the past year. The event was well attended with over 40 attendees present including 13 athletes, as well as a special guest; The Deputy Mayor of Islington (Councillor Jason Jackson) who presented the certificates alongside Tony Wallace (Greenwich Leisure Limited, Regional Directed).
All those in attendance were treated to a night of awards, food and an athlete Q&A with GLL Sport Foundation supported athletes Blaine Hunt and Montana Jackson. Blaine is a three-time world champion para-cyclist and world record holder. Montana is a high-level triple jumper, in 2023 she placed 3rd at the England Athletics National Championships and 5th at the British Championships. It was brilliant to hear insight into their sport, training, goals and motivations. This included advice for other athletes, their achievements and also challenges they have faced along the way.
It was an inspiring and very enjoyable evening at Islington Town Hall. We would like to congratulate all of the athletes that have been accepted onto the GLL Sport Foundation scheme for the 2024 season.
The GLL Sport Foundation is supporting 37 athletes in Islington this year with awards including financial bursaries; training and access memberships; and physiotherapy to help athletes with the cost of preparing and competing for national and international competitions. In addition, GLL has partnered with ‘Switch The Play Foundation’ (STPF) to offer holistic mental wellbeing support services to athletes including confidential, emotional support helplines; classes on topics relating to self-care and resilience; and access to video resources, guides and podcasts providing top tips.
Islington GSF Athletes Overview
- 37 athletes supported from across 17 different sports
- £22,250 total value of support (£1,900 cash and £20,350 in kind)
- 86% of our athletes receive no other central funding.
