Sheffield Hatters recipe for success: family values, diversity, and talent

"I know a lot of teams say that, but in our case it’s quite literally the truth.

"There are a lot of family dynamics in the Hatters; so far in my career I’ve shared the court with my sister, been coached by my dad, and managed by my mum – who is now vice chairman of the club.

"The Hatters is a voluntary-run, completely self-funded club, and our dedicated group of volunteers – parents, players, and coaches – are involved in all major decisions of how the club is run.”

Sheffield Hatters was founded in 1961 by Betty Codona OBE, who coached the team herself until 2009.

11 years ago, Betty passed the torch to her daughter - and former team member, Vanessa Ellis - who took over as head coach.

More recently, the team has been coached by former player Garnet Gayle, whose daughter Georgia plays in the first team, and whose son Tyler coaches the Hatters junior team.

Sheffield Hatters has dominated women’s basketball since the early 1990s, winning countless national titles, and is the UK’s first and most successful women’s basketball club.

But despite their success, the team was forced to bow out of the Women’s British Basketball League earlier this month 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.

This month, The Star launched its ‘Save the Hatters’ campaign, to help raise the profile of this fantastic team, and guarantee them the funds needed to secure their place in the WBBL 2021/22 season.

We’re asking you, our readers and proud residents, as well as local businesses, to throw your support behind this legendary local team, who have been a ‘hidden’ gem of the city for far too long.

Naomi added: "We provide sporting opportunities for players of all ages, irrespective of ability or financial means and nurture their development.

"Over the years hundreds have trained and played with the club, and we offer a warm welcome to all potential players, supporters and enthusiasts.

"I’m aware that not everyone is as lucky to have the same family involvement, so that’s where having role models to share their experience, talent, attitude and wisdom within a club is so key to younger players.”

The team’s other co-captain, Helen Naylor, also knows something about keeping it in the family.

Helen has played alongside her older sister, Sarah Cooney, for the past 11 seasons, and they’ve also played together for GB senior women.

Today, Helen’s infant daughter can often be found on the sidelines at practice sessions, watching her mum in action.

Helen said: “My sister left the club twice to have babies but returned to play with the WBBL team after each child, which was amazing; she is always my favourite teammate.

“I played until around four months pregnant last season, then missed the rest to have my baby girl, and have recently returned to playing.

“The goal is to get back into the WBBL next season, and it’s been great to get back on the court to show myself - and other females – that you can still play after having a baby.

"It’s also been amazing having Sarah’s kids in the crowd watching their mum and aunt play together, we hope we have inspired them and other little girls at the club.”

Dave Lee, whose daughter Ophelia has played in the junior team for the past three years, also praised the team for its diversity, saying: “One thing that always stands out is the commitment and passion the senior players have throughout the club, as well as the incredible family values.

But more than that, it’s the positive black role models within the club – from the coaches to the senior team players.

"A club with strong, positive black female role models is paramount in this day and age, and Sheffield Hatters has that by the bucket full.”

Shaun Hessey, managing director of Peterman Fork Lift Trucks – which has supported the Hatters for the past five years – revealed it is their family values and community spirit that is at the heart of what helps to make Sheffield Hatters so special.

“I’ll never forget when the team bus they’d bought with their own money finally died, and Betty wrote dozens of letters to anyone she could think of, in an effort to raise the funds for a new bus – which she did.

"She still services it herself, and it sits on her driveway when it’s not in use.

"These are fantastic, genuine and humble people, who never ask for more than they need, and have been overlooked for far too long.

"You could say that the team’s failing it that it hasn’t been run as a business, but the truth is that’s actually its beauty.

"In this commercial world, all these women want is to play and compete, and they’re the best in the business.

"We have two proud universities in this city, and a lot of very successful businesses that should be stepping up, along with our local authority, to make sure this incredible team has the money it needs to do what it does best – compete.”

Visit Sheffield Hatters Crowdfunding page to support them.