#community-sports

#community-sports

South London footie fans, pay attention: Southwark Council has officially approved plans to refurbish Dulwich's historic Champion Hill football stadium. The council has given the green light to plans that will see Dulwich Hamlet FC's old stadium transformed into a new 4,000-seat ground with a brand-new pitch and modern facilities. The footie club has been based in the borough for 123 years, and the new stadium is expected to secure the future of the team for years to come.

Built in 1895 as a public swimming baths, Manor Place in Elephant & Castle was also used a boxing venue (the Kray twins and Henry Cooper fought there) before falling into disrepair. Now Nike and Palace are giving the venue a new lease of life, featuring three zones for football, skating and creativity. The Park and The Cage will be the main sports spaces.

Then, last year, a friend invited me to her birthday kickabout a casual game of football, I gathered. (I believe some call it soccer.) Had we been less close, I might have made my excuses. Instead I turned up to the park, determined to keep as far away from the ball as possible. To my great surprise, I enjoyed myself. Instead of running down the clock on the sidelines, I got swept up in the game, rooting for my team to score.

Carlson represents his country at 84, participating in the World Maxibasketball Championship, demonstrating the significance of active ageing and community for older participants.