Ambassadors

Tom Daley is a British diver, specialising in multiple events. He is an Olympic champion in the men's synchronised 10-metre platform event at the 2020 Olympics and double world champion in the FINA 10-metre platform event, winning in 2009 at the age of fifteen, and again in 2017. 

He is an Olympic bronze medallist in the 2012 platform event, the 2016 synchronised event and the 2020 platform event. Tom won the silver medal in the men's synchronised 10-metre at the 2024 Olympics, making him the first British diver to win 5 Olympic medals. Tom also competed in team events, winning the inaugural mixed team World title in 2015, and repeating the win in 2024, his fourth World title in all. 

He is an Olympic champion, four-time World Champion, a two-time junior World Champion, a five-time European champion and four-time Commonwealth champion.

Tom is a Legacy ambassador for GSF and has always been a great advocate of the foundation.

At the age of 13, Ellie was the youngest British athlete at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, competing in the 50m, 100m and 400m freestyle, 50m butterfly, and 200m Individual Medley. She won gold medals in the 100m and 400m freestyle events.

In 2012, Simmonds repeated her gold performance to win the 400m freestyle at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, in which she took five seconds off the World Record time. Two days later, she took Gold in the 200m Individual Medley, breaking the World Record that she had set in the qualifying round that morning.

In 2016, at the Rio Paralympics, Ellie defended her Gold medal for the 200m individual medley setting a new world record, the first below 3 minutes at 2:59.81 Simmonds also won a bronze medal in the 400m freestyle at the 2016 Paralympics.

In addition, Ellie has won ten gold World Championship titles. Ellie has since retired but is still a Legacy Ambassador of the GLL Sport Foundation and regularly uses GLL/Better facilities.

Chris Skelley is a Visually impaired Judo fighter. In 2020 Chris achieved his ultimate dream and became Paralympic champion, winning Gold in the under 100kg category in Tokyo. He is also a multiple World medalist and European champion. In 2024, Chris became a Paralympic bronze medalist in the +90kg category in the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

 

"I have been incredibly grateful to receive GLL funding for the past few years, as this has made a considerable significant impact on my journey to become a 2x Paralympic medalist. Something as a child I could have only ever dreamed of. Now moving into the next chapter of my life, I want to help young athletes on and off the field of play to believe in themselves despite the challenges they may face."

Louise Hunt Skelley is a British wheelchair tennis player who competed internationally in both singles and double competitions. Former world number 2 in the junior wheelchair tennis singles rankings, and 10 in the women’s international rankings.

She has competed in two Paralympic Games (London 2012 and Rio 2016) and thirteen World Team Cups.

Louise is an athlete mentor, motivational speaker, international tournament director, and commentator. She has commentated at events such as Wimbledon, World Masters and Paralympics (2020, 2024)

"Your support when I was a competing athlete was incredible and made what I achieved possible. Without your financial support and use of a world-class gym support, I would have really struggled. I am now retired and still working in wheelchair tennis. My passion is now greater than it's ever been across my various roles in the sport."

Jade represented Team GB at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics in the Long Jump. Jade placed 4th at the 2003 World Championships and won a silver medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. She also won a silver medal at the European Championships in Munich in 2002. Jade has since retired but is still a Legacy Ambassador of the GLL Sport Foundation.

Jade said, “I want to continue to work with the GLL Sport Foundation as a Legacy Ambassador and pass on my experience and knowledge to aspiring young sports people.”

Joseph Ikhinmwin is a former professional basketball player, 3x British Basketball Champion, England and Great Britain International who last played for the London Lions of the British Basketball League (BBL).

He served as the team captain in 2015 of the Lions until his retirement in 2021, after playing in the BBL for 9 years.

"In the past, support like this has enabled me to reach significant milestones, not just for myself but as a beacon of hope for others striving to overcome challenges."

Shirley McCay MBE competed for Ireland in women's field hockey. She was a member of the Ireland team that played in the 2018 Women's Hockey World Cup final. 

Shirley has played in the Women's Irish Hockey League for Old Alex, Ulster Elks and Pegasus. She was a member of the Ulster Elks team that won two successive Irish Senior Cup titles in 2014–15 and 2015–16. Since 2015 she has been Ireland's most capped women's field hockey international.

According to some sources, she is also "Ireland's most capped sportswoman in any code" and the holder of "the most international caps by any Irish athlete (male or female) across any sport"

Perri is a British retired track and field athlete. After specialising in the 400 metres hurdles in the early part of her career, a knee injury at the 2013 World Championships forced Shakes-Drayton to concentrate on the 400 metres on her return to athletics. She is the 2013 European Indoor Champion in the 400 metres and won a 2012 World Indoor Championship gold medal in the 4 x 400 metres relay. She has also won silver and bronze medals in the 4 × 400 m relay at the World Championships.

Perri is a big supporter of GLL Sports Foundation, a previous GSF board member and a Legacy Ambassador.

Vanessa is a British Paralympic athlete who competed in shot put and javelin events in international level events, she is a World and European champion in her disciplines.

Vanessa attended her first Paralympic games in Rio 216, where she competed in the Shot Put F34 and just missed out on a medal coming 5th. She was also selected for the 2018 WPA European Champs held in Berlin in August and went on to win the Gold medal with a season-best performance. Following on from her success in 2018, she won the Bronze medal at the 2019 WPA World Champs in Dubai with a personal best. In 2021, she competed at the WPA European Champs Poland and came 2nd Place in the F34 Shot Put.

"I am passionate about leveraging my experiences to inspire the next generation of athletes, demonstrating that dedication and perseverance can lead to success."

Louis Rolfe is a British Paralympic track cyclist. Rolfe came to note as a cyclist during the 2016 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships where he was part of the gold medal-winning British team sprint event. 

Louis was inspired to take up para-sport after being inspired by the events of the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in London. On 31 December 2016 he was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list. 

"I have enjoyed 11 great years as a supported athlete with the GLL sports foundation, and now retired I feel I can bring some insight and experience to help the foundation support the new talented athletes who join in 2025 and beyond. I have realised in recent months how important the area around transition from full time athlete to regular worker who engages in sport recreationally is, and I would like to share my positive message as a para athlete and share my own experiences of how I have navigated the journey from full time sport to working and enjoying sport as my hobby."

Susie is a former Paralympic swimmer, a gold and bronze medallist in the S7 classification, who won a total of 30 international medals during her career, including 17 gold. Susie was awarded an MBE by Her Majesty the Queen following her retirement. Susie now advises on disability inclusion globally, is an Ocean Ambassador for the Marine Conservation Society in the UK and serves on several boards as a director. She still swims regularly in a Masters club and uses GLL facilities frequently. 

Susie said, “Throughout my career as an elite athlete, GLL was always by my side. I spent a lot of time in their pools and got to know all the staff very well during those early starts! I am grateful for their belief in me and the support I received financially during my career. However, it is since retiring that I have really connected deeply with the foundation. Not only can I use my platform to encourage other young athletes to apply for support as they start out in their careers, but equally I can demonstrate that sport doesn't and shouldn't stop once you reach retirement at the professional level. Whilst I rightly no longer receive funding, I do have access to GLL facilities. So, GSF are with you as a current but also a retired athlete, which is a rare thing and for that, I am very grateful."

Christopher Boyadji & Zoe Jones began a pair skating partnership in 2016. Their first competition was the 2016 CS Ondrej Nepela Memorial, where they finished 6th. 

The pair retired after the 2021–22 figure skating season after having a career-best 10th-place finish at the 2022 World Figure Skating Championships.

Following their retirement, Christopher and Zoe began coaching together at the Better Link Centre in Swindon, where they had previously trained and now support a number of GSF athletes with their sporting ambitions.

Kim is a Doctor and Paralympic table tennis player. He is an 8 time national champion, previous Commonwealth silver medallist and 2 time Paralympian. 

"For the past 5 years, GLL has supported me with training and facilities to help me continue to compete at the highest level. In 2020 I gave up my chance to compete in Tokyo to work as a Doctor during the pandemic which unfortunately ended up with me stepping away from competing internationally. With GLL support, I competed again and managed to win my 12th National title, becoming the 2023 National Champion. It was also an honour to be asked to talk at my local GLL awards ceremony!

I am proud and honoured to continue in my role as a Legacy Ambassador. The constant support from GLL has allowed me to continue to compete on top of a demanding job as an NHS doctor. I hope this year to compete internationally again and defend my national title. Thanks again to the whole GLL team!"

Leah is a Welsh and Great Britain international hockey player. In 2004 she made her international debut for Wales against Ireland. She took over the captaincy of her country in 2018 and on 1 June 2019 she became not only the most-capped hockey player but the most-capped Welsh sportsperson. 
Leah has represented Wales in the last four Commonwealth Games. She made her debut for Great Britain in 2019 v India and won a bronze medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. 

Leah has since retired from international hockey last year, but still plays top level club hockey and in 2024 she won the European Championships in Hamburg. "My aim is to help to create a legacy within the sport and whilst I am coming to the end of my career I want to aim to help others and to be a positive role model."

Daryll Neita is a British sprinter. In 2022, she won her first individual international medals, with bronze in the 100 metres at both the European Championships and Commonwealth Games. Daryll claimed bronze for the 60 metres at the 2023 European Indoor Championships. She has won several medals as part of Great Britain 4 × 100 m relay teams, including Olympic bronze medals in 2016 and 2021, Olympic silver medal in 2024, World Championships silver medals in 2017 and 2019, European gold in 2018 and a Commonwealth gold medal in 2022.

More recently, Daryll won a silver medal in the 200 metres at the 2024 European Championships in Rome, Italy, with a time of 22.50s. After winning the 100 metres gold medal at the 2024 British Athletics Championships, she was subsequently named in the Great Britain team for the 2024 Summer Olympics. In Paris, Daryll placed fourth in the 100m, the best result by a British woman in 64 years in the event. She also placed fifth in the 200m, and won a silver medal in the 4x100m relay, rounding off a very successful summer!

"Very happy and grateful to continuously be supported by GLL, it's been many years and I would not be where I am without the backing of GLL. I train in Italy, overseas, and often when home I use my local track - Sutcliffe park - free of charge, this is super helpful that I'm able to use the facilities for free!"

Joseph Clarke MBE, is a British slalom canoeist who has competed at the international level since 2009, specializing in the K1 (kayak) and KX1 (extreme kayak/kayak cross) events. 

He is the 2016 Olympic champion in the K1 event, the 2023 World champion in the same event, a triple World champion in the kayak cross discipline, and has won multiple medals at World and European Championships. He is the most successful kayak cross competitor at a global level in the history of the event.

At Paris 2024, Joe made history as he battled to Olympic silver in the men’s kayak cross, with the event making its Games debut in the French capital. Fresh from his Olympic success, Joe powered to kayak cross gold at the World Cup in La Seu, securing him the overall World Cup title for 2024.

"I have been fortunate to be a part of the GLL/GSF family and have enjoyed the various events that I have attended, sharing my story with the partners or inspiring the next generation of talented athletes, each event brings a different dynamic."

Kimberley Woods is a British slalom canoeist who has competed in C1, K1 and KX1 at the international level since 2011.[1] A six time world and eight time European champion, she won the bronze medal in both the K1 event and the first ever women's kayak-cross (KX1) event in Paris at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

"Being a part of the GLL foundation is such a privilege as I have seen it grow and support so many athletes across the UK amongst a huge age bracket. I have loved feeling part of a community who support each other to go out there and achieve their dreams. I believe the foundation has helped me feel more myself from the back end of 2023 into 2024 helping me to focus on training wherever I was in the country to help maximise my time for the Paris Olympic Games where I won 2 Olympic medals. I love being part of a team and I truly believe the foundation was pretty close to the start of my journey and were there when those medals were won. 

I also hope that from my Olympic success last year I can help inspire more people to take up paddlesport or just a little inspiration to go after something they really want. I am a huge advocate for mental health and have seen GLL grow their expertise to help other GLL foundation athletes get the support they need if they do not get the high level of funding and having that access can change someone's life.

I feel proud to have been a GLL ambassador"

Michaela Walsh is an amateur boxer from Ireland who fights in the featherweight division (54 – 57 kg). Michaela is a double Olympian, who competed at the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympic Games. At the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow she took the silver medal at flyweight and In 2018 she moved to featherweight, also winning the silver medal. At the 2022 Commonwealth games held in Birmingham, Michaela won Gold.

Michaela and Aidan her brother, became the first brother and sister to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games in boxing, both qualifying in June 2021.

"Having received this award in the past it has been a massive help to me. Being able to have access to the gym whenever I want  so I can get in extra training sessions is amazing. The support from GLL has been amazing and on my journey for qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games had been made so much easier with the help I have got. Many athletes benefit from this award and I am definitely one of them."

Aidan Walsh, Tokyo 2020 Olympic Bronze Medalist. 2022 Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist.

"From a young man with a very limited career who applied for his first GLL Award. To an Olympic Medalist and Commonwealth Champion who represented GLL from the streets of Belfast to the Olympic Village in the wonderful Tokyo Japan and beyond. This shows what GLL is all about and the impact they have. GLL is about supporting athletes at all levels. Athletes with dreams that truly need support. To be supported regardless of the ups and downs that are inevitable to happen along the way. That's what GLL has done for me. They supported me from a young man who went on to become an Olympic Medalist."

Amy Turesdale was born without a left hand. Fighting against able-bodied athletes, she achieved multiple world championships, as well as being named international fighter of the year. In 2009, Amy was presented with the opportunity to become a Paralympic taekwondo athlete.

 

Amy already has an impressive medal tally and is best known for her World Championship wins in 2014, 2017, and 2023, making her a triple World Champion. She is also a four-time European champion, winning golds in 2015, 2016, 2017, and most recently Gold at the 2024 European Championships in Serbia. 

Amy also won a bronze medal at Tokyo 2020 as Para taekwondo made its debut at the Games. She became Paralympic Champion during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games following an 8-2 win over Uzbekistan’s Guljonoy Naimova in the final of the women’s K44 +65kg.

"The best thing about this award is having the support of being able to access different gyms and facilities in the area. This is really helpful to me for a training point of view as well as a mental switch off from my current training environment."

Noah Williams is an English diver who represents Great Britain and specialises in the 10 metre platform event. Noah secured a maiden international podium in 2017 with bronze in the men's 10m synchro at the European Championships. 

2022 was a very successful year for Noah, he won 2 Gold medals at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham in both the Men's and Mixed 10m synchro team events, a Silver medal at the World Championships for Men's 10m synchro, and at the European championships Noah secured a Silver medal in the Men's 10m individual event and a Bronze with the Mixed 10m syncro event

Noah made his Olympic debut in the individual 10m platform at Tokyo, in which teammate Tom Daley claimed bronze. The pair also won a World Championship Silver medal to qualify Team GB a quota place for Paris 2024. At the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games, Noah secured the bronze medal in the 10 metre platform final, the third British diver to do so in that event. In the 10 metre synchronised event, Noah won silver with partner Tom Daley. In doing so, he became the third British diver to win two medals at the same Games.

"This award has helped me immensely in the past and hopefully will continue to do so."

Lilah and Lewis teamed up in 2015 and are seven-time British Ice Dance Champions. Their dreams of becoming Olympians came true in Beijing in 2022, where they finished 10th, and they now have their sights set on the 2026 Winter Olympics (Milano Cortina).

Lilah and Lewis are two-time European silver medalists, nine-time Grand Prix medalists and six-time Challenger series gold medalists. They are also 2025 World bronze medalists, the first World medal for Britain in 41 years!

Lilah and Lewis are dedicated to their roles as Ambassadors for UK-based charities and raising awareness for the sport of ice dance in the UK.

"We learned to skate in the UK and benefited from the strong skating culture in Great Britain. We are proud to have been part of the GLL family for much of our journey and to represent Great Britain on the world stage."

Erin Kennedy is a coxswain with the GB Rowing Team and is a double Paralympic Champion from Tokyo 2020 and Paris 20247. She is also a three time World Champion, four time European Champion, and World Record Holder, and has also overcome breast cancer. She has returned to international competition after taking a number of months off for chemotherapy and a double mastectomy and went on to not only compete at Paris 2024, but also retain their gold medal.   

 

"I have been supported by the GLL Sports Foundation over the last few years and it has been fundamental to my journey to the top of the podium.

As well as the financial support, the membership to the Henley Leisure Centre is hugely useful. Access to the gym has proved essential during the season when I need to squeeze in extra sessions and the swimming pool has been really important for my fitness when I have needed to change the modality of training - especially when rehabbing. I have also really enjoyed getting back into squash and it is something that I have found really enjoyable when rehabbing from recent surgery, when other activities weren't available to me. 

I am still very passionate about rowing and excited for the next steps in my career - I love the sport and I love sharing it with others. This year, my aims are selection to the World Championships, as well as competing at this year's European Champs and World Cup Series. I am looking to maintain my 7 year international unbeaten streak and I am excited for the opportunities this year presents.” 

Blaine Hunt is a Men’s C5 para track sprinter and three-time world champion! Blaine took up cycling in 2017 and made his Paralympic debut at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, taking home a Silver medal. 

Blaine is also the current World Record holder for the C5 flying 200m, the national record holder for the C5 1 km time trial, and the national record holder for the C5 4 km individual pursuit.

"The world is a hectic place, I'm an athlete and a father, it's a difficult space to navigate. I'm constantly on the move, whether it be to training, races, nursery drop-offs, or work. The GSF award allows me a level of flexibility with my training that can't be matched. Access to GLL training venues such as the Lee Valley Velo Park and Clissold Leisure Centre means I can train locally and within the community. The financial aspect of the award goes a long way to help cover travel and equipment costs that are associated with cycling, especially now the athlete is responsible for their own training bikes and maintenance."

Lucy Charles-Barclay is a British professional triathlete and 3 time World Champion, 2023 Ironman World Champion and course record holder, 2022 World Triathlon long distance champion and 2021 Ironman 70.3 World Champion.

Prior to taking up triathlon, Lucy was an elite distance and open water swimmer. Lucy made her debut in triathlon in 2014 and went on to win the 18–24 women’s age category at the 2015 Ironman World Championship as an amateur, soon becoming a professional thereafter. 

 

"The GLL Sports Foundation has been supporting me since I made the switch from elite-level swimming to professional triathlon. Their support has been crucial for my continue growth and development as an athlete. The financial support helps with travelling for competition and the access to top training facilities couldn't be more essential to complete at the highest level. 

I also love to feel part of a community of like minded individuals chasing the highest possible levels within sport. I hope I can continue to race at the highest level and provide inspiration to the athletes following in my footsteps at the GLLSF. For me this year I am chasing the T100 triathlon world tour and attempting to regain my world title at the Ironman World Championships in October."

Matthew “Matty” Lee MBE is a British diver and Olympic gold medallist. He has won the gold medal in 10-metre platform at the 2015 European Games, the mixed 10-metre synchronised platform at the 2017 European Diving Championships and has twice been European junior champion on the 3-metre springboard. 

At world level, Matty won the silver medal in the mixed 10-metre synchronised platform event at the 2017 World Championships, and at the 2019 World Championships, Matty and Tom Daley won bronze in the 10 m synchro event. Continuing to build on their success, they then went on to secure the gold medal in July 2021 at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

At the 2022 World Aquatics Championships held in Budapest, Matty partnered with Noah Williams for the first time in an international competition and they won silver in the synchro 10 m platform event. They partnered again at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the synchro 10m platform, where the pair won gold! In the individual events, Matty also won a bronze in 10 m platform.

Matty was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to diving. Matty announced his retirement from diving in February 2025 following a very successful career!

Anna Hursey is a Welsh table tennis player. She is thought to be the youngest person to represent Wales at senior level in any sport, having been aged just 10 when she competed for Wales in a European Championship qualification match against Kosovo in 2017.  

Anna competed at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, and the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where she came third in the women's doubles event, securing the Bronze Medal. More recently, Anna became an Olympian, gaining valuable experience at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

"My table tennis journey started at five. I trained in Wales and China, becoming the under 18 champion in Wales at 9 years old. Progressing to make my Welsh senior debut at 10, took part in The Commonwealth Games at 11 years old, helping Wales reach the quarter finals of the team event. My 2nd Commonwealth Games culminated in me winning a bronze medal in the women’s doubles."

Suzanna is a Paralympic swimmer, and burst onto the scene of British Para Swimming in 2019, claiming a pair of medals at her debut World Para Swimming championships. Suzanna previously competed in Para Dressage becoming Triple European Gold Medallist in 2017.

 

At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Suzanna finished fourth in both the 100m and 200m Freestyle final. More recently, Suzanna was included in the British squad for the 2023 World Para Swimming Championships where she won the 50 metre freestyle S5 event and finished second in the 100 metre freestyle S5 competition. Suzannah was also selected to represent Team GB at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

 

"I have been hugely fortunate and grateful to receive an award from the GLL sports foundation for a number of years, and it's made a huge difference to my training. Having access to the GLL training facilities has been a game changer for me and my swim training. The money makes a huge difference towards the cost of hotels, travel, and coaching when I'm away at competitions."

Aaron is a British 3x Paralympic table tennis Medalist, world and European medalist born with bi-lateral talapies representing Great Britain internationally for over 10 years.

 

“GLL has always supported me and without them I am unable to train. I use my local Leisure center as my main base for my training daily. After having a disappointing Paralympic Games losing in the QF and not medalling for the first time, it's even more key to have the support of GLL towards LA2028. My aim is to go to LA2028, and I am already in the process of training towards this with the European championships being at the end of 2025, which is my main goal for the year to be successful at. The support of GLL will allow me to continue training full time, supporting generic costs, with being able to train full time. 

I am a big believer that GLL is huge for young athletes to be able to follow their dreams in the beginning with the added support, as it's most athletes' first source of financial support. I have been proud to be an ambassador for GLL for many years now.”

A multiple Paralympic Medallist with over 100 International Career titles to her name, Lucy Shuker is one of Britain's most successful Wheelchair Tennis players. Achieveing career-best rankings of World No 5 in singles and World No 3 in doubles. Lucy is a former Masters Doubles Champion as well as an Australian Open and Wimbledon Grand Slam Doubles Finalist.

In 2001, aged 21, Lucy had a motorbike accident which left her paralysed from the chest down. She started playing wheelchair tennis in 2002 and has gone on to represent Great Britain at four successive Paralympic Games; Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. Winning bronze medals in the women’s doubles in 2012 and 2016, and a silver Paralympic medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. 

Lucy was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2023 Birthday Honours for services to sport.

In 2024, Lucy was selected for her fifth Paralympics when she was named in the Great Britain team for the Paris edition later that year. Lucy was also selected to be the flag bearer for Great Britain for the Parade of Nations at the opening ceremony.

David Ambler is a British rower. In the 2015 World Rowing Junior Championships, he represented Great Britain. While at Harvard University, he rowed in the Under 23 teams from 2017 to 2019.

In 2021, David won the Grand Challenge Cup rowing for the Oxford Brookes University Boat Club. He became a world champion after winning the gold medal in the coxless four at the 2022 World Championships. In 2023, he won the Stewards' Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta for the second time, rowing for the Oxford Brookes University Boat Club. Later that year, he won a second successive World Championship gold medal in the men's coxless four, at the 2023 World Rowing Championships in Belgrade.

David capped an Olympic debut with a brilliant bronze in the men's four at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Imani-Lara Lansiquot is an English sprinter who competes mainly in the 100 metres. She finished fourth in the 100 metres finals at both the 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships and the 2017 European U23 Championships.  In the 4 × 100 metres relay, she won a gold medal at the 2018 European Championships, silver at the 2019 World Championships (where she ran in the heats but not the final), bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her 100 metres best of 10.99 secs, ranks her third on the UK all-time list.

“I have been hugely fortunate enough to win Olympic Bronze and Silver, but for this next Olympic cycle, all of my focus and resources is going towards that Gold. 

This grant has honestly been incredible for me in the past. It has enabled me to access my training centres for free, no matter where I am in the country, whether I am competing in another city or at physio a few hours from home, I always have that security of knowing that a GLL training centre is nearby and accessible. 

Having GLL as part of my journey from a junior athlete to a senior athlete has been instrumental. It has seen me through two Olympic Games, three World Championships and two European Championships. I know what it means to wear the Union Jack on my chest, and as a black woman from south London, it holds a special importance and visibility.”

Graeme Thomas is among the world-class rowers to have progressed through the GB Rowing Team Start talent identification and development programme. Graeme is a former rugby union player who switched to rowing at the age of 20 and has already helped the men’s quadruple scull set new medal milestones at the World Championships. 

In 2021, he won a European bronze medal in the double sculls in Varese, Italy. Then he went on to win the Diamond Challenge Sculls at Henley Royal Regatta. Graeme also finished fourth in the men’s double at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Having won a landmark bronze medal as a single sculler at the 2022 World Championships, he then joined the quad and finished fourth at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

"I am one of GLL's longstanding ambassadors, and it has been a privilege to be supported by and represent GLL with some of the athlete support projects, such as Switch the Play that GLL provides help to the next generation of future sport stars. 

I am embarking on my 5th Olympic cycle whilst undertaking a part-time masters in management and sustainability. As always, the support received from GLL helps to facilitate my training across the country, knowing I can always find a place to lift weights, swim, or complete an ergo, just scan my better membership card and off I go."

Grace Harvey is a swimmer that has represented Great Britain at numerous international competitions and England at the Commonwealth Games. 

She won Silver in the 100m breaststroke SB5 at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The following year, she became World champion in the 100m breaststroke SB5, alongside winning a silver in the 200m IM SM6 and bronze in the 100m freestyle S6. At the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Grace won a silver medal in the 100m breaststroke SB6 – racing up a class as her class wasn’t included in the Commonwealth Games schedule. Grace added another silver medal to her collection in the SB5 100m breaststroke one year later at the 2023 World Championships in Manchester.

At the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Grace became a Paralympic Champion after securing the Gold medal in the100m breaststroke SB5 event.

 

"I would like to compete at my third Paralympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. I have been a GSF athlete for a number of years, the support from the programme has been a vital component of how I became Paralympic Champion. The financial contributions have enabled me to pay for key competitions, and the training membership has allowed me to complete all of my sessions, no matter where I am in the country."

Jonathan, also known as JJ started fencing at the age of 11 and has worked his way up the ranks quickly. JJ is one of six British Sabre Fencers who was on the British Fencing World Class Programme. 

"Receiving this award enables me to continue my commitment to achieving my fullest potential as an athlete and my commitment to inspiring the next generation of talented young athletes in Greenwich and nationwide. 

The past 3 years have been nothing short of the most challenging years of my career, with injuries that put my athletic career in question. However, with your previous support, I have been able to rise above, and I am now in a healthy and motivated state, ready to regain my position on the world stage and continue towards qualification for the LA 2028 Olympic games."

Tully Kearney OBE is a British Paralympic swimmer with Cerebral Palsy and Generalised Dystonia. She won gold and silver at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and followed this up at the Paris 2024 Games with two further gold medals, including retaining her 100 m freestyle S5 title. 

Since first competing at the World Para Swimming Championships in 2013, she has won thirteen World Championship medals, ten of which are gold. Kearney is a multiple British, European and World record holder.

Tully was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to swimming. She was further appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2025 New Year Honours.

"Over the years I've struggled with injury as do many athletes, but GLL has always been there for me which was so important especially in 2017-2018 when I had a big progression in my Dystonia and lost my UK Sport funding and having to take an extended period away from the pool having to re learn to swim again.  Literally, without GLL's support, I would've had to retire, and my successes in Tokyo and Paris would never have happened. I am so grateful to GLL for the support over the years, and as I look towards the next cycle and LA 2028, the support will be invaluable to me."

Desharne Bent-Ashmeil is a British athlete who competes in diving. 

She won a silver medal in the 2022 FINA World Junior Diving Championships. She also won a gold medal in the 3m synchro springboard event at the 2023 European Games. 

More recently, Desharne secured three gold medals at the 2024 European Aquatics Championships across all three 3 m springboard events (Individual, Women's Synchro and Mixed Synchro).

Joseph Choong MBE is a British modern pentathlete. He won the gold medal in the event at the 2020 Summer Olympics and the World title in 2022 and 2023.

Joseph was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to modern pentathlon.

"For me, GLL support would make the difference betweeen a no compromise approach to accessing the best facilities for five sports, rather than one dictated more by financial limitations."

Louise Fiddes became a world champion on her World Para Swimming Championships debut in London in 2019, claiming the SB14 100m Breaststroke title - and followed it up by winning two medals at her maiden Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2021. 

A quartet of swims at the 2022 Para Swimming World Series including the British-Para Swimming Meet saw Louise collect a bronze medal in her final swim, securing third in the Women's MC 200m Freestyle ahead of her second World Championship appearance in Madeira in June 2022.

At the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, Louise climbed to the top of the podium after claiming gold in the SB14 100m breaststroke final. She also won bronze in the S14 200m freestyle.

Matthew Robertson is a British para-cyclist, who won bronze in the Pursuit C2 at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris.

In 2024 he also competed at the UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Omnium, C2, securing the bronze medal and at the British National Para Track Championships in the Mixed team sprint, he won gold!

"Being a Paralympian from Paris it is my goal to make it to LA 2028 and go one better than bronze on the track. This support really helps as I look to train a lot in the gym and build my training phase together, to get strong ready for LA"

Scarlett Mew Jensen is a British diver. 

She formed part of the gold medal winning Great Britain squad in the Team event at the 2024 World Aquatics championships, and has won two World Championship medals in her specialist 3 metre synchronised springboard event. 

She won a bronze medal in the 3m synchro springboard event at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Justin is an international wheelchair athlete and is an active champion of disability rights around the world. 

"I have been an ambassador for a few years and the help from GLL and the GLLSF has been integral to my success as an athlete. Recent years have seen me move on from just competing in my chosen sports, but also doing extreme challenges to either raise money for charity, or to push the limits of what is seen as possible for wheelchair users. 

At the end of 2022 I became the first wheelchair user to complete and unsupported crossing of the USA by handcycle, towing my wheelchair behind me. At the start of 2024, I participated in the inaugural Ride For Unity, an intense multi day endurance cycling event riding across the UAE. This was an event that was showing the power of sport and how it can unify people regardless of their backgrounds. In November 2023, I competed in my 2nd World Championships for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and was delighted to retain my world title. In November this year, I will be hoping to retain my 3rd World title.

I have been an Ambassador with GLL for a number of years and without the support the GLLSF provides, it would have been very unlikely my career would have had the successes or longevity I've achieved."

Desiree Henry is a British sprinter who competes in the 100 metres and 200 metres. 

Desiree was one of seven young people who lit the Olympic cauldron at the London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony. All were nominated by famous British Olympians, with Desiree being nominated by decathlete Daley Thompson.

In Rio, she reached the semifinals of the 100 metres, running 11.09, having run 11.08 in her heat. She went on to win a bronze medal in the sprint relay, setting a new British record of 41.77, along with her teammates. She also won a silver medal as part of the 4x100 metres relay team at the 2017 World Athletics Championships in London and gold in the same event at the 2024 European Athletics Championships in Rome.

In 2024 Desiree was named in the British 4x100 metres relay squad for the Paris Olympics. She won a silver medal in the event, having run on the last leg in the heats.

Jamal Petgrave is an English international judoka. He is a three-time British champion, having claimed the national crown at the British Judo Championships in 2017, 2019, and 2021. In 2018, he won silver at the U23 European Championships.

In 2022, he was selected for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where he competed in the men's 90 kg, reaching the final and winning the gold medal.

"Whilst I'm aiming to go to the Commonwealth Games next year to defend my title and also the LA games in the future, having use of the sports facilities at my local gll venue will be a big help. Having access to the facilities will greatly help with my training in getting ready for the competitions that will help me qualify for these major events."

Kimia Alizadeh Zenozi is an Iranian-born Bulgarian taekwondo athlete, representing Bulgaria. 

Kimia won a bronze medal in the taekwondo 57 kg weight class at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics. This made her the first Iranian woman to win a medal at a Summer Olympics. She also won a gold medal in the women's 63-kg class at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games and won a bronze medal at the 2015 World Championship. She also won a silver medal two years later at the 2017 World Taekwondo Championships.

In January 2020, Kimia announced that she was leaving Iran permanently for Europe. Having been licensed to compete in the Tokyo Olympics, she represented the Refugee Olympic Team. Kimia won bronze at the 2022 European Taekwondo Championships while representing the Refugee Team.

In 2024, she received her Bulgarian citizenship before winning gold at the 2024 European Taekwondo Championships and representing Bulgaria at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, where she secured the bronze medal. "2024, was an amazing year  for me I became double Olympic medalist and European champion. I had all my S&C training in GLL training centers and was a massive support. We just started a new cycle for 2028 LA Olympic Games and I wish to finish my 4th Olympic with Gold medal."

Jona Efoloko is a British sprinter. A former European youth (U18) and World Junior (U20) champion in 200 metres. 

In 2022, he was part of the Great Britain relay team that won European and Commonwealth gold, and World Championship bronze, in the men's 4 x 100 metres relay. He was chosen to represent Great Britain at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest in August 2023.

In April 2024, he set new personal best times of 10.21 seconds for the 100 metres, and 20.44 seconds for the 200 metres, in Clermont, Florida. That month, he was selected as part of the British team for the 2024 World Athletics Relays in Nassau, Bahamas. In May 2024, he was selected to run the 200 metres and 4x100m relay for Britain at the 2024 European Athletics Championships in Rome.

Jona was also named in the British team for the 2025 World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou. He ran in the men’s 4 x 100 metres relay, as the British quartet won their heat to qualify for the final and secure a place for Britain at the 2025 World Championships.

Bianca Williams is a British athlete.
She competed for England at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, where she won bronze medals in the 200 m, and in the 4 × 100 m relay. She has also won two medals as part of the British team at the IAAF World Relays; with silver in the 4 × 200 m in 2014, and bronze in the 4 × 100 m in 2015. 

She ranks fifth on the UK all-time list at 200m with her best of 22.45 secs.

Predominantly a relay athlete, she paused her career to have her first child in 2020, aged 26. She returned a few years later in 2022 to renewed individual form, setting a lifetime best in her favoured event in 2023, and qualifying for the individual 200 metres at the 2024 Summer Olympics. She secured the silver medal in the women's 4 x 100 metres relay at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.

Giedre Rakauskaite MBE, is a British Paralympic rower who is a quadruple World champion in the mixed coxed four. 

Giedre was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to rowing.

Giedre joined the GB Para-rowing Team in 2017 and has become an established member of the squad, continuing the 14 year unbeaten run of the PR3 Mixed coxed four and becoming double World Champion in 2022 when she raced in the PR3 women’s pair and PR3 Mixed coxed four. She is a double Paralympic champion after defending her title from Tokyo in the PR3 mixed coxed four, at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.

Syerus Eslami, Wrestling. He went to Birmingham 2022 to compete in his second Commonwealth Games, having won bronze in the men’s freestyle 86kg wrestling in Gold Coast in 2018. 

From a rich wrestling family, Eslami’s grandfather was an Olympian while his uncle also competed for Great Britain, with his dad a British schools champion. 

"It is my dream to win an Olympic gold medal. GLL have played a massive part and this sponsorship has allowed me to prepare and win tournaments on national and international stages."

Victoria Ohuruogu is an English track athlete who competes in the 400 metres. 

At the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, Victoria won the bronze medal as a member of the women's 4 × 400 metres relay team. At the 2022 European Championships, she was part of the women's 4 x 400 m quartet that ran the second fastest time ever by a British women's team of 3:21.74.

In July 2024, she was named in the Great Britain individual 400 metres and 4x400 metres relay squad for the 2024 Summer Olympics. The team won the bronze medal.

"GSF have been instrumental in my many years of competing at the top level in my sport. All of the help I received in 2024 was crucial in receiving the best thing I have achieved in my career to date; an Olympic Bronze medal in the 4x400m relay at the Olympic Games in Paris."

Rowan McKellar is a British rower. She won a silver medal in the eight at the 2019 European Rowing Championships. In 2021, she won a European bronze medal in the coxless four in Varese, Italy. Rowan competed in the coxless four at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. She won a gold medal in the coxless four at the 2022 European Rowing Championships and the 2022 World Rowing Championships. At the 2023 World Rowing Championships in Belgrade, she won the World Championship bronze medal in the women's coxless four.

Rowan helped Team GB secure the bronze medal in the Women's Eight event at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

“I have been supported by GSF for a number of years now. The financial element to the award has allowed me to elongate my athletic career and has helped me fight the financial pressures that come with being a full-time athlete. Although I am incredibly lucky to have the support of the National Lottery, there is very little money to spare for extra support like individual physiotherapy. 

I have been a full time athlete for almost 8 years and in that time have competed at two Olympic Games, with Paris being a dream come true by winning a medal. I aim to continue rowing for as long as I can and race at the World Championships in September 2025, and having this support really makes a difference.”

Charlie Follett is a British modern pentathlete. At age 21, Charlie finished ninth in the Indian competition at the European Junior Modern Pentathlon Championships in El Prat de Llobregat, in 2018. At the same event, she won the women's relay gold medal . She also finished fourth in the relay at the 2019 European Modern Pentathlon Championships.

Charlie won the individual and team gold at the 2022 European Modern Pentathlon Championships in Székesfehérvár, Hungary. She also won team gold at the 2022 World Modern Pentathlon Championships in Alexandria, Egypt.

"I am really keen to use my experiences to help other athletes and try to promote a focus on athlete mental health! Additionally, it has given me an even stronger desire to push for LA 2028. I am enjoying the journey and can't wait to see what the next few years have in store!"

Emma Whitaker is a British Pentathlete, she was selected to represent the Great British Modern Pentathlon team at the World Championships, European Championships and multiple World Cups.

Emma secured a Gold medal at the 2024 European Senior Championships, Budapest, Hungary in the Women's relay team event and secured the Bronze medal in the individual event at the same competition.

"Competing at the Olympics is my greatest ambition, and I am fully committed to the rigorous training, discipline, and perseverance required to achieve this goal. However, I am equally determined to inspire the next generation of athletes, particularly those from less privileged backgrounds who currently have fewer opportunities to compete in this wonderful sport."

Simon is the son of former professional speedway rider, Steve Lawson. Simon grew up riding BMX bikes, becoming a junior British Speedway champion before a crash in 2001 that paralysed him from the chest down. He turned to wheelchair marathon and by 2015 was the second-fastest Brit at the London Marathon, finishing behind only Paralympic legend and role model David Weir, who also pipped him for gold at that year’s Great North Run, where Lawson took silver. Simon's successes continued, setting a British record time of 1:25:06 at the Boston Marathon in 2017 and winning the Great North Run for the first time that year. In 2018, he claimed T54 marathon bronze at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast and again in Birmingham for the 2022 Commonwealth games. 

"I finished 8th in the 2024 Boston marathon with a time of 1 hour 28 minutes, my fastest time for 7 years, so I’m really happy with my training and preparation this season!

GSF support and award significantly helps my training and racing, the membership and award, my sport is extremely expensive, costs of racing chairs, tyres, wheels etc and all the travel, the gym membership helps massively too in my fitness" 

Samantha Redgrave is a British rower. 

She has won gold medals in the coxless four at the 2022 European Rowing Championships, the 2024 European Rowing Championships, and the 2022 World Rowing Championships.

Samantha secured the silver medal in the women's four at her maiden Olympics at Paris 2024.

Gavin Rumgay is the leading all time Scottish Men's Singles Table Tennis champion. 

Gavin represented Team Scotland at his fifth Commonwealth Games at Birmingham 2022. He also competed in the Singles, Men's Doubles and Team Event in Gold Coast, finishing 9th in each. Gavin also made appearances at Manchester 2002, Delhi 2010 and Glasgow 2014 games.

He won his seventeenth national singles title in 2024 to extend his own record, which was significant in aiding him to reach the momentous 1000 weeks ranked Scottish number one!

Kieran Bird was on the plane to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, finishing 20th overall in Japan. A year later Kieran won gold in the 4x200m mixed freestyle relay at the European Aquatics Championships in Rome.

At the British National Championships in April 2024, he set a personal best of 3:45.63 as he won gold in the men’s 400 freestyle and also set bests in the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyles.

In Paris 2024 at the Summer Olympics, Kieran swam a heat leg of the men's 4x200m freestyle team that went on to win gold.

Melissa Reid went from a bronze medal at the Paralympics in triathlon in the PTVI division, to world champion Surfer in the PSVI. 

"I competed for a decade at the highest level in triathlon, gaining numerous world European and World Cup titles & medals. After competing at the Paralympics in Rio, I suffered a back injury and was out from running and cycling. I focused on rehab, and found my love for surfing again. I saw an event locally and decided to enter. After my first heat, I was approached by the England manager to compete at the world championships! I headed out to California, got through to the final and came away with the world title. The following few years I managed to compete in both sports at the highest level. 

Unfortunately, just before Tokyo my back relapsed. I had the choice of competing making it my last event, or not going. Knowing what the outcome was going to be I went to Tokyo as my final event before retiring from triathlon. I have gone on to compete for England in surfing still gaining 3 world titles and 2 silvers, winning a world tour, and numerous British titles. This year's goal is to improve my surfing and focus on the long term goal of the Paralympics in surfing. 

As there is no funding or support for adaptive surfing, I have set my own coaching company up to fund my career and life. I aim to grow gradually and get as many people confident in the water, swimming, splashing or surfing. At an affordable cost so everyone has the opportunity."

Phoebe started playing cricket for Greenwich when she was ten years old, and progressed through the age group teams representing Kent County.

In 2020, she started playing for the regional team, the South East Stars. Since 2021, Phoebe has also been part of the exciting new format of the game, The Hundred, playing for Birmingham Phoenix for two years, and, in 2024, for Welsh Fire.

 

“I've been lucky enough to be supported by GSF since the age of 16, and in 2023, I became an ambassador, which has been a great privilege. The support it has given me over the years through gym access and financial support has allowed me to get where I am today. Being able to access Better gyms whilst away from my training venue or during the off-season has helped me to keep up with my training and make those marginal gains”.

Corie Mapp capped a superb season in February 2025, by winning his first men's Para-bobsleigh World Championships gold, just two weeks after claiming the overall World Cup title for a third time.

Corie became the first British man in 60 years to claim a World Championships bobsleigh gold in what was his ninth attempt, after winning silver in 2019 and bronze in 2024 and 2017.

He took his tally to 60 major medals in Para-bobsleigh, adding the world title to two gold medals at the European Championships, in 2019 and 2024, and overall titles in the World Cup series in 2018, 2024 and 2025.

Ekaterina Avramova started her professional career in 2007. Ekaterina said: “I have been swimming for almost 20 years since I was a little girl. The dream of becoming an Olympian has been driving me all those years”. She is now a double Olympian from London 2012 & Rio 2016. 

As of December 2022, she is the Turkish record holder in the 100 and 200 m backstroke shortcourse, and the 50 m backstroke long course, and was part of the teams that hold the national record in the women's 4 x 50 m medley relay and mixed 4 x 50 m freestyle relay (shortcourse). Ekaterina is also a European Championship Finalist and World Championship Semi-Finalist.

"Swimming has been my passion for as long as I can remember. It's more than just a sport. It's shaped who I am, teaching me resilience, discipline, and the power of perseverance. As a professional swimmer, I'm constantly pushing myself to be better, to break barriers, and to inspire others along the way.

This award is a game-changer for me. It provides the support I need to continue to train at the highest level, compete on the world stage, and keep striving toward my biggest goals. Being recognised by GSF means the world to me. It's not just about personal achievement; it's about representing the values of dedication, passion, and growth."