Fay Dutfield-Horton, 47, from St Erth, credits GLL’s sports foundation (GSF) with giving her the practical help and encouragement she needed to succeed at wheelchair tennis.
The former Cardiff women’s rugby team player and keen, all-round sports’ enthusiast thought her playing days had ended when an incurable spinal condition combined with disc and spinal nerve damage to affect her right foot and leg.
Now, thanks to her own determination and some GLL funding, she has been selected for the Welsh National Development Squad and the Invictus wheelchair tennis Endeavour team. In their most recent competition against Team Invictus, Fay won five out of five singles and doubles matches, making a significant contribution to Team Endeavour’s overall win.
“I was officially classified to play international wheelchair tennis a few years ago and applied for GSF funding – the money I got was a massive help,” said Fay.
“I started competing at wheelchair tennis 2 weeks before my 43rd birthday, after initially teaching myself how to play by watching YouTube videos. Now I do all my regular training in Newquay and visit Wales every month for specialist coaching there.
“I’m applying to GSF again this year and would urge others to do the same. GLL has supported thousands of athletes and there aren’t many opportunities like this one – especially for those of us living in Cornwall.”
GSF is the UK’s largest independent athlete support programme. Since launching in 2008, it has provided over 18,000 athlete awards and covers Olympic, Paralympic, Deaflympic, Special Olympic and Commonwealth sporting disciplines.
“As a charitable not-for-profit organisation, we are committed to improving health, wellbeing and sporting opportunity in our local communities,” said James Curry, Head of Service for GLL in Cornwall. “96% of the people we support don’t receive any other funding, so what we are doing really does make a difference.”
Athletes from across Cornwall can apply via the online portal at: www.gllsportfoundation.org. Applications close 20th February 2022.