press release: GLL
Listen Very Carefully ... Better Club Games Returns
12 Sep 2023
Vicki Michelle will add a touch of glamour to the Better Club Games / Linda Lusardi
Now the Better Club Games are back and better-than-ever with none other than actress and radio presenter Vicki Michelle - of BAFTA-nominated ‘Allo Allo’ fame – to add a touch of glamour and cheer on the winners.
Twenty-two sports mad teams from ‘Better’ leisure centres across the UK will convene - appropriately enough in London’s Olympic Park - to compete in a diverse range of activities including darts, short-mat bowls, swimming, badminton and even dominoes, with points leading to trophies for the winning teams.
‘Better’ is the brand name of the UK’s leading charitable social enterprise GLL. The leisure and cultural services company’s ethos is to reinvest in local communities and the Better Club Games is a key part of this commitment.
The event kicks off at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre on 22 September with the walking sports competitions and the rest of the tournament taking place at Copper Box Arena and the London Aquatics Centre on September 26.
Fred Spitz, aged 71, will be participating for the first time this year. “I’m really looking forward to taking part,” he says. “I attend the multi-sports sessions at Burnt Oak Leisure Centre every Thursday but playing table tennis at Copper Box Arena will be a whole new experience – nerve-racking but a lot of fun too.”
Vicki Michelle comments: “LISTEN VERY CAREFULLY…. I am delighted to be part of the Better Club Games – returning for the first time in four years. With so many sports activities being showcased and teams taking part from London and further afield, it’s a fantastic way for the older generation to keep active, make friends and have fabulous fun.
“It’s going to be exciting so see you there!”
This year GLL celebrates 30 Years with Better customers with a programme of free celebratory events for everyone in July and a VIP event at the House of Commons in November.
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local authorities under the ‘Better’ brand – has announced a sizzling summer of kids and
family activities to coincide with the school holidays.
As the world gears up for the much-anticipated Paris 2024 Summer Olympic (26 July – 11
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celebrates an impressive milestone.
GLL
Address:
Middlegate House,
The Royal Arsenal,
London,
SE18 6SX,
UK
Peter Bundey, chief executive
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Key personnel
Peter Bundey, chief executive
Key customers
Companies we work with include Annodata, Physical Company, Technogym, Change Please and Divine Chocolate.
Local Authorities and Agencies we work with include Greenwich Council, Belfast City Council, Cardiff City Council, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, LLDC, ukactive, SportsAid, SportsAid Wales, Mary Peters Trust, Swim England and Sport England.
Local Authorities and Agencies we work with include Greenwich Council, Belfast City Council, Cardiff City Council, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, LLDC, ukactive, SportsAid, SportsAid Wales, Mary Peters Trust, Swim England and Sport England.
Plans for the next 12 months
Our 2025 strategies and roadmap are already well-shaped and are based on our Five-Year Plan, which was launched last year.
With our positive performance and improved social outcomes during 2024, GLL is well placed to be at the forefront of societal, economic and environmental change.
The future will see us focusing on excellent customer service alongside our social enterprise values and growing our social impact, while effective partnerships with national health and wellbeing agencies will support individual lifestyle and wellness outcomes.
We’re delighted to see strong data indicators that show engagement with a diversity of age, demography and levels of activity across our facilities.
To foster community strength, health and mental wellbeing, we’ll balance the provision of health, fitness, team sport and social activities across a 50/50 split of male/female users, backed by an enhanced digital customer focus.
With our positive performance and improved social outcomes during 2024, GLL is well placed to be at the forefront of societal, economic and environmental change.
The future will see us focusing on excellent customer service alongside our social enterprise values and growing our social impact, while effective partnerships with national health and wellbeing agencies will support individual lifestyle and wellness outcomes.
We’re delighted to see strong data indicators that show engagement with a diversity of age, demography and levels of activity across our facilities.
To foster community strength, health and mental wellbeing, we’ll balance the provision of health, fitness, team sport and social activities across a 50/50 split of male/female users, backed by an enhanced digital customer focus.
Testimonial
“We made the decision to begin supporting the GLL Sport Foundation in 2015, and it is a pleasure to announce the renewal of our sponsorship with this incredible institution.
"Many bright and talented athletes throughout the United Kingdom are unable to chase their dreams of sporting glory due to lack of funding. We are passionate about helping GSF give equal opportunities to all young people and achieving their dreams of competing on the international stage.
"Our partnership enables both our brands to share the success of the UK’s most aspiring athletes who we are proud to have heard speak in such an inspirational way at our internal Sales Conferences and who have supported our marketing and brand development goals through representation and storytelling both in person and via social media”.
– Rod Tonna-Barthet, chief executive, Annodata
"Many bright and talented athletes throughout the United Kingdom are unable to chase their dreams of sporting glory due to lack of funding. We are passionate about helping GSF give equal opportunities to all young people and achieving their dreams of competing on the international stage.
"Our partnership enables both our brands to share the success of the UK’s most aspiring athletes who we are proud to have heard speak in such an inspirational way at our internal Sales Conferences and who have supported our marketing and brand development goals through representation and storytelling both in person and via social media”.
– Rod Tonna-Barthet, chief executive, Annodata
Testimonial
"I am so thankful for the support I have received from GLL Sport Foundation. My first individual medal ever is extremely special, and I would not be here if it wasn’t for the support, I have received from the GLL ‘family’.”
– Daryll Neita, Birmingham Commonwealth Games bronze and silver medalist, GLL Athlete
– Daryll Neita, Birmingham Commonwealth Games bronze and silver medalist, GLL Athlete
Testimonial
"This exciting new chapter cements the future of our six key sports venues and is part of our commitment to the many communities we serve far and wide. We have carefully structured this partnership with GLL to ensure that visitors will continue to enjoy the very best in these stellar, highly popular venues. We look forward to together creating exciting new programmes and activities that draw on the strengths of both organisations.
“These venues are part of the Lee Valley visitor experience and will continue to be so with some of the best facilities and most inspiring settings to be found anywhere. As part of the partnership Lee Valley Regional Park Authority will continue to invest to ensure that they go from strength to strength, delivering real impact for communities.”
– Shaun Dawson chief executive, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
“These venues are part of the Lee Valley visitor experience and will continue to be so with some of the best facilities and most inspiring settings to be found anywhere. As part of the partnership Lee Valley Regional Park Authority will continue to invest to ensure that they go from strength to strength, delivering real impact for communities.”
– Shaun Dawson chief executive, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
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