Applications are open for talented young sports men and women across South England to apply for funding for 2013 from the GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) – an independent athlete support scheme set up to support the next generation of emerging talent.

Rising sporting stars have until 20 February 2013 to apply for a share of the GSF funding pot of £500,000. At London 2012, GSF saw 56 of its supported athletes compete and 14 win medals - including Olympic boxing gold medallist Anthony Joshua, triple Paralympic swimming bronze medallist Susie Rodgers and Paralympic sailing bronze medallist Alexandra Rickham.

Now Rio 2016 is on the horizon, young athletes who demonstrate the potential to succeed at International level are invited to apply to help them realise their sporting ambitions. A massive 90% of GSF award recipients receive no other centralised funding. Further application details can be found via the GLL Sport Foundation website at www.gllsportfoundation.org.

Anthony Joshua, Olympic Gold Medallist and GLL Sports Foundation Ambassador said: "That medal represents my journey and the support from my team. It is much more than a gold medal, it is a life experience". Alexandra Rickham commented further on her experiences in winning the bronze medal at the Paralympics in the SKUD18 class with partner Niki Birrell; "This Paralympic journey was amazing, I truly appreciate the help and support of the GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) over the last few years and look forward to continuing as an ambassador".

GSF was launched by legacy operator and charitable social enterprise, GLL, in 2008. Since then, the Foundation has supported over 3,800 young athletes across 60 Olympic, Paralympic, Deaflympic and Special Olympic sports with training grants worth over £2million. A further 1,150 young sportsmen and women will be supported during 2013.

Sally Gunnell OBE; GLL Sport Foundation Patron and former concurrent Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth 400m hurdles title holder explains " From progressing through my sport, starting out as a young athlete, I understand how support from the GSF is invaluable to a rising star; it is important to harness the gifted and the talented youth, now more than ever, thanks to the inspiration generated from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games".

GLL Sport Foundation Chairman, Peter Bundey added "The 2012 Games were a roaring success, and in light of the inspiration and national pride that has arisen from this magnificent event, it is now crucial that we support the talent and enthusiasm of our young sporting stars. We can help young athletes bridge the difficult leap from regional to national level as they start to become ready for senior competition. We are delighted to continue to work in partnership with SportsAid, who provide vital links between us and National Governing Bodies of Sport. Working with SportsAid ensures that our funding becomes part of the national talent development programmes, which is important for all sports and young sporting talent."

To be eligible for a grant, young sportsmen and women must live, be in education or be affiliated to a sports club in a nominated borough or district where GLL or its partners operate. Further details of regions supported and how to apply can be found via the GLL Sport Foundation website at www.gllsportfoundation.org