As Canada Water comes alive with preparations for the London Marathon this week, we take a look at our local partners who are helping get Canada Water moving.

Wellbeing is very much front-of-mind in the vision for the Canada Water development, with opportunities for exercise being a big part of what we’re doing to help people look after themselves both physically and mentally. We’re proud to partner with many local organisations that offer accessible options for people looking to get active in the area. Their efforts benefit hundreds of local people year after year and making sure everyone has a chance to get involved, regardless of age, ability or background.

Roosters Boxing Club

Roosters is run by lifelong Southwark resident Jeff Coombes and his partner in the club Roy. The club offers low-cost boxing sessions for local young people and adults. It’s open to all skill levels, welcoming potential future stars but also those who just want to get fit and feel good about themselves.

“It’s about the community feel, it’s about bringing kids in,” as Jeff told us. “Some kids aren’t confident at the start. Boxing’s a good discipline and it gives them confidence in their everyday life as well.”

Funding from British Land has covered equipment and staffing costs at the club, helping to keep costs low for local people who want to get involved and give younger staff members the chance to train to become coaches. Our contribution also funds free sessions during the school holidays.

Southwark Park Cricket Club

Southwark Park Cricket Club is a community club run by and for local people. Its mission has been to return league cricket to the Southwark Park Oval. This ambition is due to be realised in just a few weeks’ time, with the reopening of the historic ground, restored after decades of neglect with a £25,000 investment from Southwark Council’s Olympic Legacy Fund.

The club provide coaches for boys, girls, men and women, welcoming anyone regardless of background or experience. There’s no membership fee and everything they offer is at no or low cost. Funding from British Land supports the club’s community cricket coaching for 9- to 15-year-olds.

The PE and School Sports Network

We partner with The PE and School Sports Network to offer sports activity sessions for 6- to 18-year-olds with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) on Saturdays at Bacons College. Activities include trampolining, nature trail, gym, volleyball, football, basketball, tennis, cricket, badminton, boccia, curling, dance, athletics and more.

Bede House

Local charity Bede House have been changing lives in the area since 1938. British Land have partnered with them to support various initiatives over the years, including offering free-to-access sailing lessons for people with learning disabilities. 

Ballers Academy

Community Interest Company Ballers Academy are an award-winning independent sports organisation delivering a variety of football, multi-sports and mentoring programmes. Their Football Academy, run by a passionate and experienced team of coaches, aims to empower young people of all abilities to excel both on and off the pitch.

Our partnership with Ballers Academy, a Community Interest Company, offers free-to-access football sessions for local 14 to 15-year-olds. The initiative makes sure young people of all backgrounds can get involved and develop team-building skills and confidence, while getting the exercise that is so vital to good physical and mental health.

Fisher FC

Fisher FC play in the Southern Counties East Football League, which is the ninth tier of the English football pyramid. Their home ground is St Paul’s Sports Ground on Salter Road.

The club is owned and run by supporters through a not-for-profit mutual society. The rules of the mutual society ensure the club is run democratically for the good of the community.

British Land are recognised as the main sponsor of the club, a partnership that stretches back seven seasons. The sponsorship helps keep ticket pricing and food affordable for supporters.

Keep fit for the over-60s

As part of the Community Empowerment Support Organisation’s Eat Well to Stay Well project, hosted at Silvertown Tenants & Residents’ Hall, keep fit activities such as chaiir-based and low-impact exercises are tailored to individuals’ needs. Funding from British Land allows this project to be offered at low cost to local residents.

In addition to the above, this area is teeming with sports organisations and programmes for local people. Canada Water Tennis offer coaching for adults and juniors on a rooftop court at Decathlon Surrey Quays, and Mini Tots classes at The Lodge on Lower Rd. Surrey. Greenland Dock is the place to go for watersports, including sailing, kayaking, canoeing, rowing, power boating and more, run by Surrey Docks Fitness and Watersports Centre. Southwark Athletics Club train at Southwark Sports & Athletics Centre, which has a 400m running track and facilities for all athletics disciplines. The park is also home to John Brewer Tai Chi, Southwark Park Bowls Club and O2 Touch Rugby Surrey Quays.

Have we missed your favourite local sports organisation? Let us know at [email protected] or via social media.

Read more about our partnerships with community organisations here.