27th October 2007

Dear Sir

I chanced upon Sheffield Hatters Betty Codona ("Betty's not hanging up her hat just yet" Star 24 October) while knocking on doors in Ecclesfield in April. She told me about the underprivileged girls they work with. They get to try basketball but cannot join the team because their parents cannot afford the fees the Hatters have to charge players. We talked about the coaching in schools or the community that is a requirement to obtain funding. The article outlines the extensive coaching they do but they are amateurs with jobs who spend evenings and weekends training and playing matches and cannot take more on.

Sheffield Hatters are a clear inspiration for young women to get involved in sport in Sheffield. They win national titles but they have 4 junior teams as well. Despite this, Betty Codona continues to face an annual uphill battle to keep the first English women's basketball team afloat. I can only echo Betty's appeal to Sheffield Business for sponsorship. The amounts involved are relatively modest but the community benefits are huge. I will also be writing to Richard Caborn to ask the former Sports Minister what he can do to help Betty find suitable funding or match them with local sponsors. A thriving, successful Sheffield Hatters team needs to be a priority for the city in years to come.

Yours Sincerely

Eamonn Ward

Sheffield Green Party