Save The Hatters: Could team's community work become a casualty of its withdrawal from the WBBL?

Players of all ages, from the junior programme right up to the first team, honing their skills side-by-side on twin courts under the watchful eye of volunteer coaches.

There are a lot of smiles and laughter in that three-hour window, words of encouragement too, and a huge amount of hard work.

The Hatters may have dominated women’s basketball in the UK since the 90s, but it’s clear this is where they truly excel.

“Our club has a great reputation in this city for providing playing and coaching opportunities to girls and women of all ages,” said Sheffield Hatters trustee, Sarah McQueen.

"We have a really strong junior development programme, that see many of its young players move into the senior team, and go on to win international honours.

"This is mostly due to our senior players and coaches involvement with the local community, regularly visiting local primary and secondary schools.

“It is this outreach work in the community that we’re concerned will lose its momentum following the team’s withdrawal from the WBBL.”

Earlier this month, Sheffield Hatters – the UK’s first and most successful women’s basketball club – was forced to bow out of the Women’s British Basketball League due to financial reasons, after failing to raise the £60k funding needed for its 2020/21 season.

It is the first time in the history of the WBBL – of which Sheffield Hatters is a founding member – that the steel city team will not be competing.

"There are a lot of knock-on effects from that,” explained Sarah.

"Throughout a WBBL season, we’d usually expect to have three or four players coming to Sheffield, from Europe or America, to play for the team.

"Our homegrown team members all have full time jobs, so it’s often these WBBL players who are in the city to play sport that we arrange to visit schools, and share their stories and passion for the sport with young girls in the area.

"We know how inspiring it can be to young girls to have WBBL players, who are at the very top of their game, coming to talk to them about females in sports.

“That’s just one more thing that, sadly, won’t be the same this year.”

This month, The Star launched its ‘Save the Hatters’ campaign, to help the team raise the funds it needs to guarantee its place in the WBBL 2021/22 season.

We’re asking you, our readers and proud residents, to throw your support behind this legendary local team.

We also want to issue a call-out to local businesses, and our city’s universities, to help this fantastic team gain the financial security they so richly deserve.

Naomi Campbell, Sheffield Hatters club co-captain, has played for the club since she was 12, and was one of its homegrown WBBL players.

“I grew up watching our successful senior women’s team winning national title after national title,” she said.

"As I progressed through the age groups and began training up to senior level, I realised that one day I could be up there, lifting those same trophies.

"I watched strong, hardworking females juggle careers, training, GB call-ups and family life, all while at the top of their game.

"Now that I have reached that same point in my basketball career, it’s a privilege to work closely with the next generation of junior players and hopefully inspire them in the same way I was.

“Continuing in sport as a female beyond childhood years can be a challenge, so I believe it’s important to step up and be a role model for young girls, and show them that, with the right combination of determination and commitment, they can reach their full potential.

"I hope that this next year we can continue to put that vital message across, even as we’re forced to take this disappointing step back from the WBBL.”

Dave Capper, CEO of Westfield Health, which has been supporting the Hatters for over a decade, said: “Not only are Sheffield Hatters a fantastic team of incredibly talented players, the great work they do in the community, and the wider impact of that, is invaluable.

"Last season, one of their initiatives saw them launch a project to help prevent loneliness amongst older people in the community.

“Volunteers from the club picked up local residents and brought them to watch a game, and meet members of the team; that’s the kind of team they are.

"The potential loss of the Hatters work in the community is as much a tragedy as their absence from the WBBL season.”

Adam Fuller, sports development manager and school games organiser for Arches School Sport Partnerships, added: “The Hatters are fantastic in the work that they do to engage the children and young people of Sheffield in physical activity.

"From targeted programmes in specific areas, and school games competitions, to holiday camps, the work they do is pivotal in providing children, that wouldn’t usually do so, the opportunity to play basketball.

"It is so important that the girls in our Sheffield schools have WBBL players as positive role models, players that will take the time to visit them, inspiring them to be healthy, and to take part in sport as they grow older.”

Can you help? Sheffield Hatters is seeking donations and investment to secure their place in the league next season.

Visit Sheffield Hatters Crowdfunding page to support them.