Croydon athletes get record support for training

By the munisha.co.uk newsroom

Croydon athletes are set to receive the borough’s largest local package of GLL Sport Foundation support, with 140 sportspeople named for help in 2026.

The awards were celebrated at Ashburton Hall, where athletes, relatives, coaches and local representatives gathered for Croydon’s GLL Sport Foundation evening. Croydon Council said 120 guests attended, including 50 athletes and their families.

Ashburton Hall ceremony recognises local talent

The GLL Sport Foundation was launched in 2008 and has grown into a national athlete support programme. In Croydon this year, the foundation’s backing is worth more than £100,000 across financial help and access to facilities.

Many of the 2026 recipients are involved in athletics disciplines including running, javelin and hurdles. The event also recognised the family members, coaches and community workers who help young athletes stay in training and competition.

What the Croydon GLL Sport Foundation provides

Support can help athletes meet costs linked to travel, coaching, equipment and competition fees. Recipients also receive free access to GLL sport and leisure centres and wellbeing services operated under the Better brand.

Across the UK, the foundation has provided nearly £20 million in athlete funding and support since its launch, with almost 35,000 awards distributed across 69 areas and 121 sports.

Croydon’s local sports network includes four major Better leisure centres with swimming pools, an athletics track, more than 30 tennis courts, a smaller community gym and several community spaces.

Ryan Raghoo and Desharne Bent-Ashmeil among recipients

Ryan Raghoo, 29, a wheelchair rugby player from New Addington who grew up in Croydon, said the support would let him train three or four times a week and hire badminton courts to work on wheelchair agility and speed.

Champion diver Desharne Bent-Ashmeil, 22, is also being supported. She is studying kinesiology on a sports scholarship in Tennessee and is aiming for the 2028 Olympics. She said the funding would help with flight costs when returning to compete in the UK or internationally, while Better gym and Pilates access would support her strength, flexibility and agility training.

GLL Partnership Manager for Croydon David Hughes said the foundation remained central to widening opportunities for talented athletes. Executive Mayor Jason Perry said the record investment would help Croydon sportspeople cover the costs of training, travel and competition.

Source: Croydon Council

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This article is based on Croydon Council’s account of the 2026 GLL Sport Foundation awards and checked for names, figures and programme details against the supplied source.

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• Confirmed the reported number of Croydon-supported athletes as 140.
• Checked the stated local investment figure of more than £100,000.
• Matched athlete details for Ryan Raghoo and Desharne Bent-Ashmeil to the source text.
• Kept venue and programme references to Ashburton Hall, GLL Sport Foundation and Better lei...

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Croydon Council

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Croydon

Updated

2026-06-09 11:20

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Article contextPeople & topics3#7

Ryan RaghooDesharne Bent-AshmeilDavid Hughes

#Ashburton Hall#Better leisure centres#Croydon sport#Desharne Bent-Ashmeil#GLL Sport Foundation#local athlete funding#Ryan Raghoo

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