Better Club Games
Better Club Games 2023 – Gunnersbury Victorious in Short Tennis
Tuesday 26 September saw the long-awaited return of the ‘Better Club Games’ tournament at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park’s Copper Box Arena. This annual event for the over-60s last ran in 2019 (before Covid).
This year, 19 teams took part from Better leisure partnerships across London, the south east, Lincolnshire and Rugby competing in a diverse range of activities - darts, dominoes, short tennis, short-mat bowls, swimming, badminton, table tennis, cycling, walking netball and walking football.
Gunnersbury entered teams in table tennis, short tennis and timed cycling events at the Better Club Games. All of teams put a very good show with a great deal of enthusiasm and effort going into their performances. One of our short tennis teams showed a high level of performance throughout the day and found themselves in the final against Camden. After an even start Gunnersbury started to impose their attacking game and took the title with a 10-5 victory. Well done to all our participants!
GLL first decided to put on the Better Club Games back in 2006 when it realised there was no major multi-sports activity in the UK which brought older adults together annually in the spirit of fun competition.
The Better Club Games Ambassador was actress and radio presenter Vicki Michelle - of ‘Allo Allo’, EastEnders and Emmerdale fame. She added a touch of glamour and cheered on the participants.
‘Better’ is the brand name of the UK’s leading leisure charitable social enterprise GLL. The company’s ethos is to reinvest in local community health and wellbeing and the Better Club Games is a key part of this commitment.
GLL CEO Peter Bundey said: “It was great to see over 550 participants at the Copper Box Arena turn out to take part in this year’s return of the Better Club Games, compete and have fun.
“Wider society benefits in so many ways from active ageing and as a social enterprise we will continue to drive activity for this important age group.
“Congratulations to all those who took part and to our worthy winners – Epsom & Ewell.”
One Gunnersbury team member commented;
“A great event to be part of, thanks for organising. I will start training early for next year. What a venue, to play where the Olympics took place is very special.”
The Gunnersbury lead said;
“It was the first time that I had been to the Club Games, it was a lot of fun and everyone really enjoyed the day.”
Since its inception in 2006, the Better Club Games has grown to become a major event that brings together over 700 competitors alongside dozens of GLL “Club” facilitators, community sports teams and volunteers over 2 days (walking football and netball were held the day before the Club Games with 150 people participating at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre).
Better Club Games is organised and funded exclusively by charitable social enterprise GLL. In addition to refreshments, participants enjoy raising awareness for their club, a celebrity ambassador on the day and a medal for everyone.