THE UNIVERSITY of Reading played host to an event recognising sporting talent from across Reading.
It marked the return of the annual GLL Sports Foundation awards evening for its 17th outing.
The awards event began with refreshments, a photo slideshow featuring all 84 athletes and a presentation by Colin Coughtrey, GLL’s Head of Communities and Health, who talked about the growth of GSF in Reading, with applications more than double those received in 2024.
Cllr Alice Mpofu-Coles, Mayor of Reading, and GLL People Director Lorraine Patrinos presented certificates and goodie bags and GLL Worker Board Trustee Paul Shearman hosted a question-and-answer session with Olympic Bronze Medallist Rowan McKellar.
Among those collecting awards were rower and Olympic Bronze Medallist Rowan McKellar, 30; junior England badminton player Anushka Ambrose, 15; junior British climbing champion Mia Gallagher, 15; tennis player Fraser Acteson, 16; junior athlete Jaxon Kennedy, 12; taekwondo athlete Samar Chana, 12,and British canoeist Olivier Mazur, 17.
Operating under the Better brand, GLL is the staff-owned charitable social enterprise that runs Meadway Sports Centre, Palmer Park Leisure Centre and Stadium, Rivermead Leisure Centre and South Reading Leisure Centre on behalf of Reading council.
The Foundation supports athletes through financial bursaries, access to physical rehabilitation and mental wellbeing support and all athletes are given access to GLL’s 254 sport and leisure facilities nationwide.
Eighty-four Reading-based athletes, representing 20 different sports, have received GSF support worth £55,400.
Of those 80% of them get no other central funding, 69% are under the age of 21 and 33% are under 16.
Steph Smith, GLL’s Area Community Sport Manager, said: “The event was a great success.
“Forty athletes were supported by around 100 guests and there was a real sense of celebration.
“We’re delighted to have received so many more GSF applications in Reading this year and look forward to that trend continuing.”
More information about GLL Sport Foundation is available via: gllsportfoundation.org
