Charitable Social Enterprise Leisure and Cultural Services provider GLL has committed to become Carbon Neutral by 2050 with an ambition to achieve this earlier in response to feedback from customers and staff, and partners.

Following the launch of GLL’s new Sustainability Strategy that sets out the leisure trust’s longer-term ambitions and targeted actions between 2023 to 2027, staff training on business sustainably was made a priority for the in-house management development programme during 2023/2024. 'Respecting the Planet' is one of GLL’s 6 Core Values underpinning its 5 Year Corporate Plan.

Now, following a review of skills gaps with managers at the UK’s largest operator of public pools (and plant rooms), GLL has designed the ‘Managing Your Business Sustainably’ module.

The practical training was designed and piloted by GLL’s in-house experts Chris Hebblewhite (Director of Standards and Compliance) and who has previously advised on pool operations for both London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics, Jeremy Gould (National Sustainability Manager) and Lee Franklin (National Facilities Manager).

In recognition of the importance of this topic, The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) will now endorse 10 CIMSPA points to those that complete this module from September 2024.

Comprising of online learning, a practical workshop and classroom work, the one-day module covers all aspects of efficient pool plant operation and housekeeping.

General Managers and Partnership Managers stand to benefit most from the training as GLL underpins and strengthens is commitment to sustainability throughout its business which employs 11,000 people and creates in excess of £440m in social value each year.

50 Managers have been trained across three pilots at Rivermead Leisure Centre in Reading, Britannia Leisure Centre in Hackney and The Sands Leisure Centre in Carlisle.

Chris Hebblewhite, Director of Standards and Compliance, GLL said: “Sustainability is embedded in GLL’s DNA. We must do all we can to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption for the benefit of the communities we serve.

“Training our people to both ‘talk the talk’ and ‘walk the walk’ is hugely important to us. We are determined to make a real difference and we can already see the results coming through in real terms in our Carbon emissions.

“So I’m delighted that 100% of learners felt their knowledge of sustainability issues has improved as a result of this highly practical training intervention.”

GLL aims for all General Managers to attend this training over the next 12 months.

Clare Dunn, Associate Director of Business Engagement at CIMSPA said: "It's fantastic to see that GLL has pledged to become carbon neutral, with a powerful declaration of their commitment through their CPD module.

Sustainability is such a vital topic - becoming more sustainably aware is everyone's responsibility and it’s one that as a sector we need to be leading on. It's great that GLL are instilling this knowledge into their workforce in order to benefit their current communities and future generations."

For further information on sustainability training or other modules that form part of the management development programme, please contact [email protected]

Charitable leisure social enterprise GLL – which operate facilities in partnership with 50 local authorities under the ‘Better’ brand – have announced a sizzling summer of kids and family activities to coincide with the school holidays.

Taking inspiration from the Paris Olympics and with a promise to ‘banish boredom’ this summer, Better leisure centres are the best way to let off steam, have fun and get active.

Young customers can access a host of facilities and activities on top of the ever popular soft play, Clip n Climb, Kids for a Quid swim sessions, inflatable assault course Aquasplash and Junior Gym*.

Details can be found here.

Customers are also invited to try new something new at their local Better leisure centre at Better’s Summer Open Days 20-21 July. Choose from free gym and fitness classes, yoga, swimming, ice skating, tennis, pickleball and more*.

Open day details can be found here.

Peter Bundey, CEO of GLL said: “Health and wellbeing has never been more important to UK communities and we are inviting our customers to celebrate the Summer of Sport with us at our 280 leisure centres across the UK in what is shaping up to be a huge draw for all ages and all communities.

“Rain or shine, there’s something for every taste – and it all kicks off with our Open Days 20-21 July where we invite kids and families to come along and try something new.

“You never know, you might discover a hidden talent or a new passion.”

*Check participating centres for the availability of specific activities.

As the world gears up for the much-anticipated Paris 2024 Summer Olympic (26 July – 11 August) and Paralympic Games (28 August – 8 September), the GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) celebrates an impressive milestone.

A remarkable cohort of 94 athletes, both past and present beneficiaries of the Foundation's support, have qualified to compete on the world stage. This achievement underscores the Foundation's pivotal role in nurturing sporting talent and supporting athletes in reaching the pinnacle of their careers.

GSF is the brainchild of GLL – the largest charitable social enterprise leisure trust in the UK, celebrating 30 years in 2023. It is the largest independent athlete support programme in the UK.

Since its inception in 2008, the GLL Sport Foundation has been committed to fostering athletic talent across the UK. By providing financial aid, access to training facilities, and comprehensive support services, the Foundation has distributed over 25,000 athlete awards to the value of over £15m to help athletes to pursue their dreams.

During the cost of living crisis, the Foundation has made the critical difference for many young athletes who struggle to maintain their training programmes. The majority of GSF athletes are under 21 years old and 87% receive no other form of funding.

GSF’s Paris bound athletes will compete in 23 sports spanning a wide range of disciplines, including swimming, athletics, boxing, diving, and more, these athletes have showcased their prowess in national and international competitions, earning their spots to represent their national team at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Among these athletes are household names who have previously made their mark on the global stage, as well as emerging talents poised to become the next generation of sporting icons. Daryll Neita, Aidan and Michaela Walsh, Joe Clarke, Kimberley Woods and Tom Daley all hold GSF National Ambassador status.

GSF-supported 17-year-old Welsh table tennis prodigy Anna Hursey and 1500m runner Georgia Bell are emerging talents to look out for at the Paris Games.

Peter Bundey, CEO of GLL and Chair of the GLL Sport Foundation said: “We could not be more proud of our 94 Paris-bound athletes whose dedication, perseverance, and excellence has powered them through to the very top of elite competition.

“When we set the GLL Sport Foundation up it was in response to a lack of support for athletes aiming to realise their sporting dreams. Now, more than ever, we are seeing the enduring need for ongoing access to training, financial aid and wellbeing support – making the crucial difference to young talented athletes being able to stay in competition.

“We wish them the very best of luck and look forward to seeing them back home with their medals.”

After an incredibly competitive season, the London Youth Games Finals Festival took place at the end of last month at GLL's Copper Box Arena in London.

In the weeks leading up to this, young Londoners from right across the capital had met and competed at the city's most iconic sports venues including Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre and Lee Valley VeloPark, the London Aquatics Centre and CBA itself.

In this Olympic and Paralympic year, the LYG Finals Festival celebrated sport, culture and community and marked the conclusion of over fifty qualifying events across more than thirty sports.

London Youth Games Chair, Prof Geoff Thompson MBE FRSA DL QP JM, emphasized the holistic benefits of the Games stating, “The London Youth Games Finals Festival in this Olympic and Paralympic year provided a distinct opportunity for families, friends, coaches, officials, volunteers, and organizations to work together and be part of something special in the lives of young people and communities.

"The Jubilee Trophy is a reflection of a year-round exposure of sport for development and peace. The mental, physical, and emotional health and well-being benefits were evident as the teams went through the final rounds.”

David, Southwark basketball player said, “It means a lot to a lot of young people to compete in an Olympic venue like this. When we were told we were playing at the Copper Box, I was shocked, I was like 'The real Copper Box?!? This is obviously where the London Lions play and it hosted the Olympics back in 2012, so it’s amazing to play where they were.”

Congratulations to all those who took part, and especially the big winners, Bromley, who came away with the coveted Jubilee Trophy, while Wandsworth won the ParaGames Trophy, recognising their outstanding performances across an incredible calendar of sporting events.

To find out more about the London Youth Games and the wider results from the 2024 Finals Festival, click here

New research highlights the importance of children’s swimming lessons as more primary schools reduce mandatory lessons.


• Britons see swimming as more important to learn than cooking, cleaning, DIY, first aid, and learning to ride a bike.

• 1 in 5 state that swimming was the most important thing they learnt in school, with just Maths and English ranking higher.

• 7 in 10 Brits worry for their children’s safety when swimming abroad.

• Over half of Brits say the cost of lessons is the biggest barrier to swimming participation.

New research from leisure operator Better, reveals that the UK population values swimming more than cooking, cleaning and DIY when it comes to essential life skills. This finding comes on the heels of a Sport England and Active Lives report indicating that over a third of primary school teachers provided fewer than 10 swimming lessons per pupil during the academic year 2022-23. Consequently, the proportion of children able to swim 25m by year 7 in 2022/23 has dropped by 6% compared to 2017/18. 

To investigate the state of swimming in the UK, Better surveyed 2,000 respondents to gauge public perceptions and experiences. The research highlights the important role swimming had on Britons’ school experience, as 1 in 5 people found swimming more useful in their adult life than most other subjects like science (17%), computing (15%), and even sex education (8%). 

Parents, in particular, recognise the importance of swimming, especially when planning family holidays that involve young children near water. The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) reported 35 children died unnecessarily from accidental drowning in 2023, a huge 46% increase over the previous 5 years. Better’s study found that 71% of parents feared their children might drown abroad. The fear of a child getting lost in a foreign was “very concerning” to 36% of parents, yet a higher percentage (42%) were “very concerned” about the risk of drowning."

In everyday life, parents also believe swimming is among the most important life skills, with 56% asserting swimming as the most important, beating cooking, cleaning, DIY, time management, learning to ride a bike, and even first aid. Only budgeting and time management rank higher. 

Despite the clear importance of swimming, there are still many barriers to getting children to learn how to swim, including socioeconomic factors. Shockingly, the Sport England Active Lives 2020-2022 survey reported that 62.5% of children from low-income families claimed to be able to self-rescue by year 7, compared to 92.2% of children from high-income families, highlighting a significant disparity. This accessibility issue is further highlighted by Better’s research, showing how the availability of public transport (26%), the cost of pool access (58%) and the time it takes to get to the pool (28%) can all prevent children from being able to learn how to swim. 

Better’s survey highlighted the cost of lessons as the biggest barrier to participation in swimming. This is also a result of the significant increase in electricity costs to local pools, causing them to increase costs. In fact, a previous study by Better stated that 1 in 5 Brits were struggling to access their pools due to reduced hours or their pools closing altogether, despite half of Brits stating that swimming improved their mental health.

Andrew Clarke, Better’s Head of Sports and Aquatics, said: “Teaching children to swim not only equips them with the ability to enjoy and participate in various water activities safely but also significantly reduces the risk of drowning, which is a leading cause of accidental death among young children.

"By learning to swim, children gain confidence, improve their physical fitness, and develop a respect for water safety that can prevent tragic accidents. Ensuring that all children have access to swimming lessons is an investment in their safety and well-being, empowering them with a vital skill that can save lives.”

More than 500 visitors took part in a host of sports and leisure activities on Sunday (16th June) as part of London Pride’s inaugural 2024 Out for Sport Festival at the iconic Crystal Palace National Sports Centre.

The event, which was the first of its kind to take place in the capital, was established with the aim of breaking down barriers to sports participation.

Approximately 20 LGBTQ+ inclusive sports clubs, representing a wide range of sporting disciplines and drawn from across London, offered free taster sessions throughout the day. Visitors had the opportunity to try their hand at everything from Rugby and Boxing to Line Dancing, Tennis and Jujitsu.

The focus of the Festival was inclusivity, with activities suitable for anyone regardless of their sporting experience or fitness levels. It is hoped that it will serve to increase LGBTQ+ community involvement in sport by raising awareness and providing support.

Event organiser David Lionetti commented: “We had a fantastic turnout on Sunday, with more than 500 visitors enjoying the opportunity to try a different sports, make new friends and experience the mental and physical benefits that sport and physical activities can offer.

“Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, the home of many national and international sporting championships provided an inspiring backdrop and we’re grateful to Better, the charitable social enterprise that operates the centre, for its support.

“This is the first year of what we hope will become a London institution and we look forward to a bigger and better event in 2025.”