More than 100 athletes in the Reading area have been awarded support worth £69,680 from the GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) this year.
Many of them attended a special presentation at the University of Reading’s Park House – including sprinter and European silver medallist Kaya Slater, under 16 long jumper Oscar Chan, British kickboxing champion Khadijah Primus and Taekwondo champions Samar, Saiba and Arwan Chana.
Twenty-four sports were represented, with 71% of athletes aged under 21and 39% under 16. 84% of the athletes receive no other central funding.
The event began with a barbecue and a questions and answers session led by Paralympic bronze medallist Chris Skelley, MBE, and Olympic sprinter Ibrahim Turay. Individual athlete presentations followed and the Mayor of Reading, Councillor Paul Gittings, concluded the evening with a vote of thanks.
Operating under the Better brand, GLL is the not-for-profit social enterprise that runs four leisure centres in Reading on behalf of the council.
“We’re supporting 105 athletes in the Reading area in 2026 – the highest number so far,” said Steph Smith, Area Community Sport Manager.
“GSF athletes have free training access to GLL leisure centres throughout the country and can also benefit from physiotherapy and mental well-being services.”
Since its launch in 2008, the GLL Sport Foundation has so far contributed nearly £20m worth of athlete funding and support to around 35,000 athletes across 121 different sports.
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