Team Lewisham is looking for athletes to take part in an ‘Older Person’s Olympics’, which will see south London’s over-sixties compete at the Olympic Park’s famous Copper Box Arena.
Team Lewisham, a group of over-60s, is participating in the ‘Better Club Games’, an annual event where teams of older people come together at Copper Box Arena in London to compete in a variety of indoor sports such as badminton, table tennis, bowls and static cycling.
Last year, Team Lewisham came fourth in the tournament, a jump fourteen places from the previous year.
With more than 700 contestants and over than twenty teams, Team Lewisham are looking to secure a place in the top 3 this year. Last year, Epsom and Ewell came first, Waltham Forest came second and Greenwich was third. Neither Southwark nor Lambeth took part in the games last year.
Trevor Pybus, 67, a community link worker from Downham, has been taking part in the Games for a few years as part of the walking football event. He is hopeful that Team Lewisham can triumph this year but says he will enjoy himself whatever the outcome.
“It’s an excellent competition and I’ve always got hopes that we’ll do well but it’s more about participation,” he explains. “It’s great to be part of a group. Matthew Houghton (Community Sport Manager in Lewisham) plays a crucial role in encouraging team spirit.”
Claire Pitter, from Catford, in her 60s, is competing in the dominoes event and is putting together a team of players from Lewisham’s Hummingbird Community Centre where she works as Programme Manager. She feels confident that Team Lewisham will put up a good fight.
“Dominoes is a very competitive sport and there’s a lot more to it than you might think,” she comments. “It all depends who you’re playing with and you have to read your partner’s hand. We’ve got a lot of really good players so I think we’re going to have to have some sort of internal competition to select who’ll be going to the Club Games.
“Last year, was our first time and we did pretty well- we came second in our event. Now we know how it works, we’re going in fighting for our borough! But it’s also a fun occasion. The camaraderie is good and you get to meet people from other areas.”
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Matthew adds, “Last year was such a success and it was due to the hard work and excellent performances of those who took part. Jumping from 18th to 4th place is a real testament to those who got involved. We would love to go one better this year, but need more people to come forward and represent Team Lewisham. If you’re 60 years or older and would like to represent the borough and help us reach the top three, then sign up today!”
This year, Club Games takes place on 1 October at Copper Box Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London E20 3HB.
You’ve got until 19 September to sign up. To find out more, drop in at your local Better leisure centre or visit this link – https://www.better.org.uk/healthy-communities/club-games
