Welcome to our October 2026 Community Update - a snapshot of the fantastic work happening across Better centres and out in the community. From inclusive programmes and partnerships to events, health initiatives and local impact, this month’s update highlights how our teams continue to support and connect people through sport, health and wellbeing.

Welwyn Hatfield Seniors Compete at 20th Better Club Games

The Better Club Games is a national multi-sport competition for adults aged 60+, with this year marking its 20th anniversary.

Team Welwyn Hatfield celebrated a successful return to the Better Club Games, with 26 local residents aged 60+ taking part across the competition's three events. 

The team's biggest showing came at the flagship event at London's Copper Box Arena, which welcomed more than 1,000 attendees. Competitors represented Welwyn Hatfield in Badminton, Table Tennis, Short Tennis, Dominoes and the Timed Cycle challenge.

The team achieved several impressive results throughout the Games, including narrowly missing first place in the Timed Cycle.

Earlier in the competition, Welwyn Hatfield competitors also took part in Pickleball at the Lee Valley Velodrome and the Timed Swim event, contributing to the borough's most successful Club Games campaign to date.

The majority of competitors came through regular senior activities at Better leisure centres, particularly the weekly Senior Social Sessions at Hatfield Leisure Centre. The programme continues to grow through strong partnerships, including work with LTA Herts Tennis, which helped introduce participants to short tennis and encouraged many to take part in this year's Games.

"It was great to be able to compete as a couple in the Club Games. It had such a lovely, friendly atmosphere. I would recommend it to anyone, whatever your ability, as it's so inclusive and a great way to make new friends." - Viv & David Hodson, Club Games participants.

Stanborough Attracts Hundreds for Outdoor Activities

Over 200 cyclists took part in Round 4 of the Eastern Region Cyclo-Cross League at Stanborough Park.

Hosted by Welwyn Wheelers, the event brought together riders of all ages, with races ranging from Under-10s to Masters 50+ categories.

More than 200 runners and walkers joined the celebrations as Stanborough Park parkrun marked its first birthday, one year after launching with support from the Welwyn Hatfield Community Fund.

Since October 2025, the event has welcomed 4,894 participants, recorded 9,097 parkruns, seen participants cover 45,485km, and achieve 1,367 personal bests. The event has been supported by 316 volunteers across 1,059 volunteer occasions, with average weekly attendance now standing at 178 participants. 

Among the volunteers is GLL employee "Haribo Dave", who has become a much-loved part of the event by handing out Haribo to participants at the finish line each week.

Find out more about the Welwyn Hatfield Community Fund.

Interested in taking part in Senior & Social Sessions at Hatfield Leisure Centre, Travellers Lane?

FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION 

Fancy taking part in Club Games? Keep an out for information about the 2027 games on our facebook pages or in-centre.

WATCH CLUB GAMES VIDEO HERE