South London’s over-60s triumph at older persons Olympic Games
Teams of old-timers from across London took the Copper Box Arena by storm earlier this month, competing in this year’s ‘Club Games’.
More than 750 players took part in the event on October 2, representing 20 boroughs from across London, the South-East and the Midlands.
Teams blazed a trail through ten sports including badminton, darts, dominoes, short mat bowls, short tennis, table tennis and static cycling.
Croydon, Lewisham and Greenwich did exceptionally well, coming first in table tennis, short mat bowls and dominoes respectively.
Members of Bellingham Bowls Club represented Team Lewisham at the event. Bowls Captain, Lawrie Smith, 72, said: “The Club Games is a fun, competitive event and it has given us the opportunity to put our skills to the test.
“Bowls is an inclusive sport – even people in wheelchairs can play – and it’s a great way to boost your hand-eye coordination. You have to reply on your team mates – it’s a social and technical sport.”
Leonie Barnes, 70, a retired psychiatric nurse, represented Team Croydon in the badminton heats.
She said: “This is my third year at the Club Games.
“It’s a fantastic event – you meet people, it keeps you active and it’s good for your psychological health, too.”
Greenwich secured third place in the competition overall, trumped only by Waltham Forest in second place and Epsom and Ewell taking the top spot.
Actor and TV personality Christopher Biggins was this year’s ambassador, opening the event with a rousing speech and mixing and mingling with the teams throughout the day.
He said: “I am in awe of everyone’s skill and determination and I feel proud to have been here to witness this wonderful event. It’s proof that age is no barrier to gumption and team spirit.”
The Club Games are run by social enterprise GLL under the ‘Better’ brand.
Billed as the ‘older persons’ Olympics’, the annual event aims to encourage everyone to become more active and to highlight the social and physical benefits that sporting activities can offer people of all ages.
Pictured top: Club games ping pong (Picture: GLL)