Talented local athletes celebrated in Swindon
The group of 48 received funding and support to the value of £34,300 at the event, at Swindon’s Link Centre
Last updated 17th Jun 2025
Talented local athletes have been celebrated at a special awards ceremony in Swindon.
The group of 48 received funding and support to the value of £34,300 at the event, at Swindon’s Link Centre.
Successful Swindon athletes include skating pair Alex Lapsky and Zarah Wood, who recently represented Great Britain at the junior figure skating World Championships and Down Syndrome swimming world record holder Holly Sullivan.
The GLL Sport Foundation has been running for 17 years, and is the UK’s largest independent athlete award programme in the UK.
To date it has contributed over £17m worth of athlete funding and support and distributed over 30,000 awards to young and talented athletes in 70 areas of the UK, across 117 different sports.
The Foundation supports athletes through financial bursaries, access to physical rehabilitation and mental wellbeing support and all athletes are also given access to over 250 sport and leisure facilities across the UK operated by GLL under its "BETTER" brand. These include Swindon’s The Link Centre, Haydon Centre & Gym and Dorcan Better Health Centre.
Over 17 years, the GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) has continued to be at the forefront of developing local young athletic talent.
Barnaby Rich, GLL’s Partnership Manager for the Swindon area, said: “The majority of athletes are under 21 and on average 88% of them receive no other funding or athlete support – underlining the importance of the scheme to up and coming athletes.
“It was wonderful to hear their inspiring stories, and we wish them every success going forward.”
2024 Supported athlete Paralympian Judoka medallist, Swindon’s Chris Skelly said: “I was so happy getting my Second Paralympic Medal. It was a dream come true, and I am so grateful for all the support I received from the GLL Sport Foundation! Thank you.”