Epsom & Ewell’s Rainbow Club are celebrating after retaining their champions’ crown for the third year running at the 2013 Better Club Games.

The stars beat more than 500 over-55 year olds across nine sporting disciplines at the annual event organised by the Social Enterprise Better charity, and hosted for the fifth year in the London Borough of Lambeth. 

It aims to encourage older people to become more active and to highlight the social and physical benefits that sporting activities can offer to individuals of all ages.

Participants took part in events including badminton, short tennis, swimming, timed cycle, dominoes, darts and short and long mat bowls.

Epsom & Ewell came out on top of teams from Camden, Greenwich, Ealing, Lambeth, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hackney, Merton, Tower Hamlets, Westminster, Waltham Forest, Islington, Reading, South Oxfordshire, Reigate & Banstead.

Team Greenwich came a close second, and Team Waltham Forest came third.

Epsom & Ewell’s team leader Alison McDowall said: “The atmosphere on the day was fantastic and we had great team spirit.

"We really weren’t expecting to win again this year and I thought Greenwich would pip us to the post.

"We just came to have a great day out and we did, winning was the icing on the cake.”

Carolyn Myring, organiser of the Better Club Games said: “The annual Games is in its eighth year and we have hundreds of competitors and spectators representing regions across London and southern England.

"This year has been by far the largest Games we have hosted. The event is designed to be really inclusive so anyone can take part regardless of their skill or ability; all that’s needed is for competitors to be over the age of 55 years."

She added: “We are committed to encouraging and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle for older people through our Better Health & Fitness concessionary membership and through the outreach work undertaken by our community sports officers.”