Welwyn Hatfield Seniors Shine at Club Games 2026
On Wednesday 21st October, Team Welwyn Hatfield competed in the 20th annual Club Games at the Copper Box Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. This marked the third and final event of the milestone Club Games, a competition that brings together teams of adults aged 60 and over from across the country to celebrate active ageing.
Team Welwyn Hatfield had plenty to celebrate in only its second year of competing, increasing participation from just nine competitors in 2025 to 26 competitors across this year's Games. While not quite ready to dethrone last year's overall champions, Croydon, Welwyn Hatfield came remarkably close to top spots in several events, including narrowly missing first place in the Timed Cycle event and achieving an impressive fourth-place finish in the Timed Swim event held earlier this month.
The team's growth reflects the continued development of the senior activity programme in Welwyn Hatfield, with the majority of competitors coming through the weekly Senior Social Sessions at Hatfield Leisure Centre. Partnership working with LTA Herts Tennis, which funded and delivered short tennis sessions as part of the weekly senior multi-sport programme, has helped attract new faces to the centre and introduced participants to a new sport. Many were then keen to represent Welwyn Hatfield in the Club Games short tennis competition.
Welwyn Hatfield competed in Pickleball, held at the Lee Valley Velodrome at the end of September, as well as the Timed Swim event earlier this month. At the Copper Box Arena, the team was represented in Badminton, Table Tennis, Short Tennis, Dominoes and the Timed Cycle event. The two badminton teams achieved very respectable finishes of 7th and 15th out of 32 teams.
Competitor Viv Hodson, who took part alongside her husband David, said:
"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. Thanks so much to Caroline and Gemma for all the organising and cheerleading!"
The events were packed with positive energy, with participants excited to meet and even compete against celebrity guests Cheryl Baker, Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi and Ashley Hamilton. Attendees also benefited from support, advice and information provided by Age UK.
The Club Games once again demonstrated the power of sport and physical activity to bring people together, challenge perceptions of ageing and create opportunities for friendship, wellbeing and healthy competition.
Check out our Senior & Social Sessions at Hatfield Leisure Centre, Travellers Lane:
| Tuesdays | 10:00am - 1:00pm |
Senior Social Club & Multi-Sports |
| Wednesdays | 7:30 - 8:30pm |
Social Pickleball |
| Fridays | 10:00am - 12:00pm |
Senior Social Table Tennis |
Interested in taking part in Club Games? Keep an out for information about the 2027 games on our facebook pages or in-centre.