The National Finals of the Better Club Games – also known as ‘The Older Person’s Olympics’ – took place at Copper Box Arena in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on 21 October.
A record 23 teams from across London, the South-East and Midlands competed in seven disciplines for the coveted winner’s title. A total of 700 people attended.
After the day’s competitions, Team Croydon took the spoils. It was ‘back-to-back’ wins for the south London seniors, who also claimed the winner’s trophy in 2025. Team Waltham Forest came second and Team Greenwich placed third.
Spectators, including local authority clients and partners, cheered on active seniors playing Badminton, Short Tennis, Table Tennis, Bowls, Timed Cycle, Dominoes, Scrabble, Boccia, New Age Kurling, Walking Football, Walking Netball, Pickleball and Timed Swim.
The community sporting competition is the brainchild of worker owned charitable social enterprise GLL, which operates leisure facilities in partnership with local authorities under the ‘Better’ brand.
First launched in 2006, The Better Club Games brings together senior customers from across London and beyond to celebrate staying active and connected for the myriad benefits that sporting participation and movement brings. Contestants are recruited through weekly leisure centre programmes and proudly represent their local teams across a wide range of sports.
The teams were roared on by The Better Club Games’ ‘Older People’s Ambassador’, Cheryl Baker, formerly of 80s pop combo ‘Bucks Fizz’, who opened the event, tried her hand at the sports and presided over the medal ceremony.
Cheryl, who was born in east London’s Bethnal Green, close to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, has enjoyed an active lifestyle and lists running, playing tennis and table tennis among her favourite activities.
She commented: “The Better Club Games are so inspiring – there are so many people here defying their age!
“I didn’t expect to see so many people from all over taking part. It sends a message to those who think it’s too late to take up sport – it’s never too late to get out, meet people and be active.”
Philip Donnay, GLL’s CEO said: “Congratulations to this year’s winners, Team Croydon, and all those across our centres nationally who took part.
“The Better Club Games is a friendly competition with a simple but important purpose at its heart: helping older people remain active, connected and involved in their communities.
“As a charitable social enterprise, GLL believes in supporting physical health and mental wellbeing while helping to tackle social isolation.
“Coming at a time when there is growing national momentum for senior participation in sport, we and our Council partners are committed to supporting active ageing.”
Also attending was TV doctor and health coach Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi, Age UK’s Ambassador, who introduced the charity’s national campaign ‘Act Now, Age Better’.
He reflected on The Better Club Games providing a different side of the physical activity, fitness and health sector, making movement engaging and inclusive.
“It was brilliant to see so many people enjoying such a wide range of sports, and to see an initiative that has been running for 20 years continue to bring people together through physical activity.”
