Croydon Crowned Champions at Better Club Games 2025
Croydon has been crowned champions at the 2025 Better Club Games, the UK’s largest celebration of active ageing, after a record 1,000 over-60s took part in the annual competition.
The Games, organised by charitable social enterprise and worker-owned co-op GLL, took place at the Copper Box Arena in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on 1 October, with 20 borough teams from across London, Rugby and Surrey competing.
It was Croydon’s year to shine, with a team made up of 66 residents delivering a string of impressive performances across the three-day tournament. The team secured top place finishes in pickleball, darts and table tennis, alongside silver medals in short mat bowls and short tennis, while also showing strong form in badminton, dominoes and the timed cycle.
Since first entering the Games in 2018, the borough has steadily climbed the rankings – from 19th in their debut year, to 11th in 2019, 9th in 2023 and 6th last year. Winning the 2025 title marks the borough’s first ever triumph in the competition. Team Croydon’s participants are recruited through weekly centre programmes and local sports clubs across Better Leisure Centres in the borough.
Husband and wife duo Ping Yang and Quan Zhou, both 63, were among the table tennis participants coming third in the competition. Quan said: “We were confident at doing well this year but to be honest, the enjoyment of the whole day is more important than the competition aspect.”
GLL Deputy CEO, Phil Donnay, praised the achievement, saying: “"As a charitable social enterprise and worker owned co-op, GLL exists to improve the mental, physical and social health of local communities.
"Nowhere is this more clearly demonstrated than at our Better Club Games - this year bringing together record numbers of older people to celebrate active ageing at a time when there is a growing national momentum for senior participation in sport.
"Congratulations to our winners Team Croydon - and to all those who took part in this friendly competition."
Executive Mayor of Croydon, Jason Perry said: “I am so proud to hear Croydon’s over-60s performed so well at the 2025 Better Club Games, the UK’s largest celebration of active ageing. It’s brilliant to see how we’ve gradually moved up the table over the years, rising from 19th place in 2018 to finish victorious in 2025.
“It is a priority for me to make Croydon a healthier borough and to help older people live independent lives. Congratulations to everyone who competed. Most importantly, it sounds like everyone had a great time and have inspired others to get moving too.”
Now in its 19th year, the Games coincide with the International Day of the Older Person and featured 11 sports in total, including badminton, short tennis, darts, walking football, table tennis, bowls, cycling, dominoes, pickleball, swimming and walking netball.
Team Hackney finished second and Team Greenwich third, but it was Croydon who lifted the coveted trophy and secured their place in the competition’s history.
Older residents inspired by the success of Team Croydon can take part in weekly sports hall sessions running throughout the year at Better leisure centres across the borough. Sessions include many of the Club Games sports and offer a fun, sociable way to stay active and connected.
Seniors' Club Sessions
Mondays at 11am at Waddon Leisure Centre - BOOK
Wednesdays at 10am at Thornton Heath Leisure Centre - BOOK
Wednesdays at 2pm at Waddon Leisure Centre - BOOK
Thursdays at 10am at New Addington Leisure & Community Centre - BOOK