Community Sport & Health Update
Better Club Games 2026
On Wednesday 21st October 2026, team Barnet took part in the 20th anniversary of the Better Club Games at the Copper Box Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The event brought together 1,187 competitors and spectators representing 23 partnerships from across London and Surrey, celebrating active ageing, community participation and the benefits of staying physically active.
Team Barnet competed in Short Mat Bowls, Darts, Table Tennis, Short Tennis and Badminton at the main event. This followed Barnet’s amazing win in the Walking Football and participation in Pickleball on 16th September, as well as hosting the local Timed Swim event on 13th October. The Timed Swim brought together 35 participants from Barnet, Welwyn and Hatfield, Wembley and Enfield partnerships to compete against one another.
Team Barnet scored an excellent sixth place which is our highest finish since Club Games started. This was a particularly positive achievement, as Barnet entered teams in Darts and Short Mat Bowls for the first time, expanding the borough’s representation across the Games. The result has also provided motivation for participants to continue developing their skills and aim for further success next year.
The Better Club Games offered older adults across Barnet an opportunity to stay physically active, challenge themselves and socialise with others. Taking part also supported physical and mental wellbeing, helping to reduce social isolation and strengthen community connections.
Thank you to all Team Barnet participants for representing the borough and contributing to the success of the 2026 Better Club Games.
Silver Sunday – Community Engagement Event
On Sunday 4th October 2026, Lara Bone Barnet Community Sports Officer, Angelo Pignone Fitness Manager and Lamia El-Bouazzaoui Health and Fitness Supervisor attended Age UK's Silver Sunday event at Middlesex University.
Silver Sunday is an annual event aimed at bringing older residents together, encouraging social connection, reducing loneliness and isolation, and promoting opportunities to stay active and involved within their local communities. The event attracted more than 850 residents and 30 local organisations, with a range of entertainment, talks, workshops and health activities available throughout the day.
Better Barnet hosted an information stall, offering Know Your Risk health checks and engaging with 100 visitors. 25 health checks were completed, and 10 free day passes were given to visitors to encourage residents to visit their local leisure centres and try the facilities.
The team promoted a range of Better Barnet activities and services, including social sports, swimming pools, fitness classes and membership options across all centres. The Healthwise referral scheme was also promoted, showing the support available to residents looking to improve their health and wellbeing through physical activity.
The event was very positive with lots of engagement from older residents while being able to raise awareness of Better Barnet's community programmes and encourage more people to become physically active.
Following the success of the event, Better Barnet looks forward to attending again next year and continuing to grow the older adult’s provisions in centres.
October Half Term
During the October half term, Barnet leisure centres offered a variety of activities across all 5 Barnet Centres which allowed children, young people and families to come into Barnet Leisure Centres and enjoy a variety of activities to stay active and enjoy the October Half Term.
The programmes included basketball, trampoline holiday camps, gymnastics holiday camps, swimming crash courses, swim for all, and junior gym sessions. Additional activities for adults included fitness classes, social pickleball and badminton which offered customers a way to try new sports and stay active.
Wear It Pink Event
On Friday 23rd October 2026 New Barnet Leisure Centre hosted a Wear It Pink event to promote breast cancer awareness as part of Breast Cancer Now’s annual campaign. The event aimed to encourage conversations about breast health, raise awareness of the importance of early detection and show support for everyone affected by breast cancer.
An information stall was available for customers to ask questions, access support information and take away booklets that highlight the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. These resources are to encourage customers to regularly check for any unusual changes, such as lumps, changes in breast shape or skin and to contact their GP if they noticed anything new or unusual.
By sharing information and encouraging conversations around breast cancer, the event supported the Wear It Pink campaign’s aim of raising awareness and helping people affected by breast cancer access life-changing support.