A team of 36 senior athletes from Enfield will travel to London later this month to compete in Better’s annual Club Games.
The team – which has been selected from Better leisure centres across Enfield including Southbury Leisure Centre, Edmonton Leisure Centre and Albany Leisure Centre – will compete in eleven events, including walking sports, badminton, short tennis, table tennis, pickleball, dominos, darts, short mat bowls, timed cycle and time swimming.
Shirley Cano, 55, is part of the walking netball team. She says:
Taking part in the Club Games is such a fantastic experience. I have competed in previous competitions and it’s wonderful to see so many people coming together and enjoying friendly competition. I've made new friends and always leave with a smile on my face.
Billed as the ‘Older Persons’ Olympics’, the 20th Better Club Games will bring together seniors aged 60 and over to battle it out against other teams for the coveted Club Games trophy.
The final event will take place on 21 October 2026 at Copper Box Arena in the Olympic Park in Stratford, East London, hosted by celebrity Cheryl Baker. Over twenty teams of seniors from Greater London, the South-East, and the Midlands will be competing for the trophy.
Cheryl Baker says:
It’s wonderful to be supporting such a fantastic event. I have always believed that keeping active and engaged with the world is the key to a long and healthy life. I can’t wait to meet those plucky Club Games competitors – they’re sure to be an inspiration!
Vishal Karia, GLL Partnership Manager, says:
We know that active ageing helps promote good physical health and mental health and combats social isolation and the Club Games are a great opportunity for older people to come together in a social and friendly environment and play competitive sport.
Over the years, the Club Games have proved that you are never too old to have some rivalrous fun. It's great to see older adults competing against each other - and smiling whilst doing it - and it’s also a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and represent your local area. You don’t have to be world-class at any of the activities to join in, just reasonably good and willing to try your best.