Welwyn Hatfield Celebrates Active Ageing at the 2025 Better Club Games

Hosted by charitable social enterprise and worker-owned co-op GLL, the main event of the Club Games, known as the Festival of Active Ageing, was held on the 1st October at the Copper Box Arena in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Now in its 19th year and coinciding with the International Day of the Older Person, the event continues to champion physical activity, mental wellbeing and social connection for older adults. Competitors for each team are users of the leisure centres in those areas and benefit from taking part in their chosen sports year round.

In addition to the main event, other exciting competitions took place in September, including the Timed Swim, which saw teams competing against neighboring boroughs to complete as many lengths as possible. Crystal Palace National Sports Centre also hosted Walking Football, Walking Netball and Pickleball on the 26th of September which saw some great action and some tense finals!

The Games were officially opened by much-loved TV, theatre, and panto star Su Pollard, who delighted participants by cheering on events, engaging with the audience and co-presenting medals alongside Mayor of Greenwich Linda Bird and GLL Deputy CEO Phil Donnay.

"As a charitable social enterprise and worker-owned co-op, GLL exists to improve the health of local communities – and nowhere is that clearer than at the Better Club Games,” said Phil Donnay. “We’re proud to support such an inspiring day of fun, fitness, and friendship.”

This year’s edition of the Club Games saw 20 teams from across London, Surrey, Rugby and beyond compete in 11 sports for the coveted winners title.

Welwyn Hatfield proudly represented the borough, with standout performances in Badminton and the Timed Cycle Challenge, ranking third place. The Swim Team also made a splash at the Timed Swim Challenge event on 18th September.

Caroline Shillabeer, ‘Better’s Community Sports Manager in Welwyn Hatfield, led the team to the Games this year, and comments:

“I am incredibly proud of the Welwyn Hatfield participants this year. The team was small, but mighty, representing in Badminton and the Timed Cycle Challenge, and it just showed the sheer talent and determination we have in the borough. Not to mention the comradery and fun. Between the event at the Copper Box Arena and the exciting Timed Swim event at Barnet Copthall, the Welwyn Hatfield competitors said that it was an unforgettable experience. They urge more Over-60s to join in our Senior Sessions and take part next year- who knows, with teams entered for every Club Games activity, we may well bring home the trophy in 2026!”

This year, Croydon claimed the Better Club Games 2025 crown with a commanding performance, showcasing impressive team strength across the events. They stood out by securing top-three finishes in nearly half of the 11 sports contested!

A national movement

While the London event was a flagship celebration, the Better Club Games movement continues across the UK, with similar events taking place in Cumbria, Cornwall, York, Oxfordshire, Cardiff, Belfast and beyond – helping to grow the national conversation around active ageing.

Curious about joining Team Welwyn Hatfield in next year’s Games?

Visit your local Better Leisure Centre near you, and ask about Senior Sessions and Club Games activities near you.

Visit Us

Better Club Games 2025 Results:

 Top three for each sport: