Sheffield Hatters have been celebrating founder Betty Codona’s legacy as they continue to introduce basketball to women and girls in South Yorkshire.
The first women’s basketball team to be set up in England are continuing to trailblaze female involvement in the sport as the most historical successful women’s team in the country.
As the club reflect on the second anniversary of Betty’s passing, her daughter and current Hatters’ head coach Vanessa Ellis said: “I’m so proud that mum’s legacy continues in the club.
“Through all the volunteers who continue to provide opportunities for girls and women to be involved in basketball. Miss and love you mum.”
Betty’s daughter Loraine Gayle has also continued her mothers’ work by heading up the Hatters’ junior programme.
She also organises monthly tournaments, which is facilitated by Hatters’ members who volunteer and officiate at the games, to give young children from across the region their first experience of competitive basketball.
Recently, the team have introduced 80 young girls to the sport through a workshop as part of the ‘Her World, Her Rules’ campaign within the women’s game.
The workshop has been just a small part of the work done by the Hatters in recent years with many players featuring at international level across a range of age groups and in the inaugural women’s All-Star match.
The team’s international stars include Codona’s granddaughter Georgia Gayle who also featured in the women’s All-Star match alongside her teammates Maddie Washington and Emma Eichmeyer.
Alongside the success of the players’ Sheffield have also had success off the court as they continue to build upon the work started by Betty
At the start of the season the Hatters’ moved into their new purpose-built basketball stadium the Canon Medical Arena alongside the Sheffield Sharks as the team continues to advance women’s basketball.
On the new arena and what it would have meant to Betty, Sheffield Hatters’ volunteer Sarah McQueen said: “It’s brilliant to see her dream of us playing in an arena has come to light with growing crowds and brilliant atmosphere.”
“We all miss her so much but I’m pleased to see her hard work and determination continuing through the dedication of her family and the volunteers at Hatters.”
The team and everyone involved at the club continues to celebrate the legacy of Betty Codona through the sport they all love as they have already qualified for the 2024 WBBL play-offs.
Betty’s legacy is also celebrated at Hatters’ through their numerous different age groups which compete from the ages of hotshots (girls under the age of 10) to under 12s up to open age in the WBBL.
Across the different age groups the Hatters’ continue to strive to develop their players both on and off the court as Betty always did.
On this McQueen said: “Betty will always be one of my biggest inspirations in life, she encouraged everyone to be the best versions of themselves on and off the court.”
“More than anything it’s the close friendships created and seeing how girls have developed into confident women that makes me most proud to be part of this club.”
Written by Alicia Newton