Deadlines for applications to GLL Sport Foundation approaches

The deadline for talented young athletes in Belfast to apply for financial and training support from the GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) is fast approaching. Applications for local athletes to claim their share of £1.4 million of funding must be received by 20 February in order to be considered for this year’s funding round.

Each of the successful applicants will benefit from funding to be spent on training, travel and equipment during the next 12 months or training awards that allow free sporting access to more than 250 sports facilities managed by not-for-profit leisure operator GLL, who operate Belfast’s 16 leisure centres under the Better brand.

To be eligible for a grant, sportsmen and women must reside or have a training base in Belfast and must have the potential to succeed at national and international level. Financial awards may be used to fund the costs of training, competition, coaching and can be used to offset the costs of equipment, travel and accommodation.

GLL Sport Foundation

The Foundation aims to give over £1.4 million to young athletes in 2025. Last year, over 2,200 sportsmen and women were supported throughout the UK – including 140 in Belfast across 33 sports, including boxing, badminton, canoeing, swimming, tennis, triathlon, judo, and powerlifting, who received awards totalling £88,500.

Awarded in partnership with the Mary Peters Trust, athletes supported by GSF receive financial grants of up to £1,000 alongside training support, and access to all Better leisure facilities across the UK. The membership will provide access to cutting edge facilities and specialist equipment to support the young athletes with their training commitments.

Since launching in Belfast in 2015, GSF has provided over 1,000 awards worth almost £700,000. Previous GSF supported athletes include multiple Paralympian Gold medallist Michael McKillop, Irish Olympian boxers Michaela and Aidan Walsh, Irish Olympic Marathon Runner and winner of the 40th Belfast City Marathon 2022 Paul Pollock, and Irish Hockey International Shirley McCay.

Previous athletes to be awarded by the scheme in the UK include Tom Daley, Daryl Neita, and Anthony Joshua.

GSF Belfast athlete and Zambian international swimmer, who has swam at the Commonwealth Games and World Championships, Zach Moyo said: “The GSF scheme has helped me significantly over the years. Whether it was with the money which has helped me with my swimming expenses, or the free gym membership that lets me get extra sessions in. The GSF scheme has hugely contributed to the successes I have had in the pool and I would recommend it to anyone that wants to take their sporting career to the next level.”