From the editor: 'Punished for being women even when top of their game'

That is the situation the country’s most successful female sports club has been forced to come to terms with this year. Sheffield Hatters won’t be competing in the Women’s Basketball League this season. Not because they aren’t good enough – they have been among the best in the game for decades – and not because of anything they have done wrong. It is simply because the investment in female sport is embarrassingly low and nobody with any power to make a difference gives a damn. Covid gave their funding chances as extra kicking this year but, tragically in a story that could be written about so many successful women’s clubs, they have been teetering on the brink for many seasons. Before you start with the ‘they don’t attract big enough crowds because nobody wants to watch female games’, let me tell you why it matters beyond our entire country’s unconscious bias. This club takes young girls and trains them in confidence, health, fitness, working together, being better people, giving back to their communities and encouraging those behind them to follow in their footsteps. That is something that our society is crying out for more of, or at least we say we are until it involves actually taking action. Sheffield has produced the women’s GB coach and Olympic basketball stars, yet we couldn’t find enough cash to let them compete on behalf of our city. The Hatters are among the most passionate group of Sheffielders you could ever meet and, with just a little bit of support, they could make a much bigger impact than you could imagine. It isn’t actually about basketball. When sport is used for good it is transformational in so many areas of our lives.

You might not call this sexism. I do and it is. You might say what a shame. That's exactly what has been happening for generations and look where it has got us. Clubs like this are one of the easiest ways to help disadvantaged communities and create international champions. They have been let down. Equal opportunities? City of Sport? Give me a break ...