Talented young athletes in Enfield receive financial support from charitable awards programme

GLL Sport Foundation supports athletes through financial bursaries and access to sporting facilities and other support

More than 50 talented young athletes from Enfield will receive funding and support to help them pursue potential sporting careers.

The largest independent athlete awards programme in the UK, GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) supports athletes through financial bursaries, access to physical rehabilitation and mental wellbeing support.

In addition, all athletes are given access to over 250 sport and leisure facilities across the UK operated by GLL under its ‘Better’ brand, which includes five Enfield venues.

This year, a record number of applicants were received from athletes across the UK. Funding recipients from Enfield include twelve-year-old footballer Dylan Hall, who currently plays for Stevenage FC’s youth team.

Dylan was one of 55 young athletes to receive their GSF awards at a special event held in collaboration with the council’s Active Enfield programme at Forty Hall Estate last week.

The Stevenage star said: “The GSF funding is really helpful as it allows me to carry on training outside my schedule. It also gives me a place to go and relax when I’m not training, like playing table tennis with my friends and family.

“I really enjoyed the GSF event and found it super interesting. It has really inspired me to continue to work hard in my football career and stay resilient. I believe that if you work hard, you will become what you want in life.”

The event was attended by Enfield mayor Emma Supple and senior councillors Maria Alexandrou and Edward Smith.

Tottenham Hotspur ambassador Ledley King and some of Enfield’s London Youth Games athletes were also in attendance, with presentations led by Sabrina Forde, GLL’s community sports manager and Grace Alleyne, Enfield Council’s youth sport manager.

Vishal Karia, GLL partnership manager, said: “This year, GSF will be providing £37,950 of support to local athletes, 86% of whom receive no other financial backing. We have increased the number of supported athletes to 55 from 39 last year, which includes athletes as young as ten through to the age of 36.

Now in its 18th year, GSF has contributed nearly £20million worth of athlete funding and support and distributed nearly 35,000 awards to young and talented athletes in 69 areas of the UK where GLL operate and across 121 different sports.

Among them is local sprinter Desiree Henry, Team GB Olympic bronze and silver medallist, who has received a GFS award for 15 years.

Desiree said: “The GSF award funding allows me to have my coach and physio with me at all of my competitions, which means I am physically confident and have world class preparation.”

GSF patron Sally Gunnell OBE said: “It’s fantastic to see the GLL Sport Foundation announcing its largest ever award cohort in 2026.

“The support continues to make a difference to young athletes at precisely the point in their careers when they most need it – keeping them training and focused on success. I wish them the very best of luck in their sporting careers.”

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