Leisure • Physical Activity • Sport

Football, Fun And Community Spirit Take Centre Stage

Football, fun and community spirit take centre stage

 
More than 150 young people came together for Unity in the Community — a brilliant celebration of grassroots football, teamwork and local pride in Westminster.
 
UITC Sept 26 - Participants in action on pitches at PRG
UITC Sept 26 - Taking a photo with the selfie frame
UITC Sept 26 - Tournament in action at PRG pitches
UITC participating players bonding on the pitches
UITC Sept 26 Players on PRG Pitches
UITC participating players bonding on the pitches
 
From friendly competition to cheering from the sidelines, the event was all about helping young residents get active, build confidence and feel part of something bigger.
 

A brillitant day on and off the pitch

Unity in the Community brought young players, families, local clubs and community partners together for a fun-filled day of football and connection.
With four age categories taking part, the event created a safe, welcoming space for young people to enjoy sport, meet others and celebrate the power of community.

More than just football

The day was about much more than the final score. It supported grassroots football, strengthened local partnerships and helped young people build confidence through organised sport.
 
A huge thank you goes to everyone who helped make the event possible — from clubs and coaches to volunteers, families, partners and supporters.

Get the full lowdown

Want to see how the day went?
 
Head to the Unity in the Community event page for the full recap, key highlights and event impact.
 
Keep an eye on the ActiveWestminster website for next year’s event dates  and in the meantime, explore more ways to get active, try something new and connect with sport in your local area.

ActiveWestminster Weekend Ends Summer on a High!

ActiveWestminster Weekend Ends Summer on a High!

 
ActiveWestminster Weekend brought August to a lively close with free activities, big energy and plenty of community spirit across Westminster.

People exercising in a gym studi0
Jordan Gray bringing his energy, skill and inspiration at the basketball scrimmage
 
Residents, families, children and visitors came together to try something new, revisit old favourites and enjoy getting active in a fun, welcoming way.
From sports and swimming to family-friendly sessions, it was a brilliant celebration of movement, leisure and local community.

Westminster turned up the energy

Everyone Active leisure centres across Westminster opened their doors for two days of free activities, giving people the chance to explore what’s on offer and get active their way.

Champions of the Future ambassadors in action

Our Champion of the Future athletes brought skill, inspiration and plenty of feel-good moments to ActiveWestminster Weekend, joining sessions across Westminster and encouraging residents to get involved.
 
Jordan Gray, basketball KoTT Tournament winner, took part in Gym Tasters at Moberly Sports Centre on Saturday before joining the Basketball Scrimmage at Church Street Community Leisure Centre on Sunday. Zarah Butt, Taekwondo World Champs bronze medallist, joined Pilates at Paddington Recreation Ground on Saturday. Ismael Berkoun, 2x ISKA British Champion, brought the action to HIIT and Muay Thai at Porchester Centre on Sunday.
 
A huge thank you to our champions for helping make the weekend even more memorable and inspiring people across Westminster to move, try something new and have fun. Find out more about how our Champions of the Future scheme, supports talented local athletes to inspire our communities.

 Keep it moving

Missed out this time? ActiveWestminster Weekend will be back next spring and again in summer/autumn, with more free activities and chances to get moving. 

In the meantime uou can also explore your local leisure centres to see what’s available near you, from swimming and fitness classes to sports sessions and family-friendly activities. And don’t forget Westminster residents and students can sign up for the FREE ActiveWestminster Card to access discounts on activities including group exercise classes, swimming and racquet sports.

Paddington Recreation Ground achieves Excellent Quest Assessment

Paddington Recreation Ground achieves Excellent Quest Assessment

Paddington Recreation Ground has been recognised with an Excellent Quest Assessment, celebrating the high standards and quality of the park and the team who help keep it a welcoming place for the community.

PRG Quest Certificate 2026

The achievement is a fantastic recognition of the ongoing work to make Paddington Recreation Ground a place where people can enjoy being active, spending time outdoors and connecting with their local community.

Quest is a national quality assessment framework for the management and delivery of parks and green spaces. Achieving an Excellent assessment reflects the commitment to providing a high-quality environment and positive experience for everyone who uses the park.

This recognition is also a reflection of the hard work of our Leisure Contractor, Everyone Active and the whole team involved in looking after the park and delivering activities and services for the community.

Congratulations to the Paddington Recreation Ground team on this well-deserved achievement!

Help Shape The Future Of FREE Fitness In Westminster

Help Shape the Future of FREE Fitness In Westminster

FREE fitness equipment could be coming to a park near you. Westminster City Council is exploring two innovative outdoor activity options – Swing Fitness Boxes and Equip Boxes – bringing FREE, flexible workouts to parks, community centres and public spaces across the borough. Help us decide where and how.

Equip Box in use
FREE workouts. Zero barriers. Could this be coming to a local park near you?

Two new ways to move

Both offers unlock via a simple mobile app, giving residents the freedom to train solo, join a group session, or follow a coach-led workout – no membership required, no barriers to entry.

Your feedback shapes the outcome

This is a second consultation process, and your input will directly influence where these boxes are placed and how the service is designed. Whether you’re a seasoned gym-goer or just looking for an easy way to get started, this is your chance to have a say.

Have your say

The survey takes just a few minutes to complete and will close on 28 September 2026. 

Don’t miss the chance to shape a more active Westminster

Still Not Sure Where To Start? SfC Connect Is Here To Help

Still Not Sure Where To Start? SfC Connect Is Here To Help

FREE, personalised support to help Westminster residents facing health conditions, disability, loneliness or major life changes take their first step back into activity. Referrals are open now.

Your reminder to take the first step

Since launching, SfC Connect has been quietly changing things for Westminster residents, one first step at a time. Haven’t looked into it yet? Know someone who could use a nudge? This is your sign.

Support build around you

Delivered by Sport for Confidence CIC, in partnership with Everyone Active and Active Westminster, SfC Connect pairs residents with an occupational therapist who builds a personalised plan around their goals, at their own pace. 

On offer at three of our leisure centres

The barrier nobody talks about

Fitness isn’t always the barrier, and it rarely gets talked about that way. Sometimes it’s confidence, anxiety, or simply not knowing where to begin, and that unspoken first step is often the harder part of the whole journey. SfC Connect meets residents exactly where they are, because activity should feel accessible to everyone, not just those who already feel comfortable walking through the door.

Working together for Westminster

Hear from key partners and the Cabinet Member as they share why SfC Connect is an important step in helping more Westminster residents become active, improve their wellbeing and access personalised support when they need it most.

Refer yourself, or be referred by a healthcare professional or partner organisation. 

From First Steps To The Final Spotlight: Dance Westminster Returns

From First Steps To The Final Spotlight: Dance Westminster Returns

Seven years of movement, connection and pure joy on dance floor- and this year, we’re mixing it up once again. Whether you’re new to dance or dreaming of the Grand Final Spotlight, your journey starts with a single heat.

Dance Westminster Heat 3 from 2025
Last year, they danced like nobody was watching. This October, it's your turn.

Over the years. Dance Westminster has brought disabled residents, workers and students together to move, connect and celebrate the sheer joy of dance. This year we’re going even bigger and bolder and it all starts with three unmissable heats this October.

Step one: Find your heat

Every finalist’s journey begins here. Turn up to a free heat, join a free workshop and learn a routine from professional instructors. No experience required. Feeling brave? Audition on the spot, perform the routine you learned or freestyle your own.

  • Heat 1: Wednesday 7 October, 10:30am-12pm: Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee School, Kennet Road, W9 3LG – For disabled children and young people aged 11-17
  • Heat 2: Friday 9th October, 2:30pm-4pm: Forrester Court Care Home, Cirencester Street (Off Harrow Road), W2 5SR – For older disabled people aged 50+
  • Heat 3: Wednesday 14th October, 10am-12pm: North Paddington Youth Club, 229 Lanark Road, W9 1EA – For young people and adults aged 50+

Step two: Take the spotlight

Ten finalists. Ten professional dance partners. Ten shots at glory, backed by one-to-one coaching ahead of the biggest night of the year.

The final spotlight: Save the date

Our finalists hit the stage at Porchester Hall on Tuesday 1 December, dancing with their pro partner in front of a celebrity judging panel and you. Judges crown the Champion. The audience picks the People’s Champion. Every cheer counts. Join us there between 12:30-3pm (1pm start)

Not dancing? Come along and cheer, the atmosphere is always electric!

Know someone who would be perfect for this? Share this and get them to take their first step.

To sign up for a heat and secure your place for the final, all you need to do is click on the button below, or email ibannister@westminster.gov.uk for assistance

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