Community and Education
The Westfield Sharks are dedicated to what they achieve not only on the Basketball court but also out in the community. As a result continuing this season will see all of the Sharks playing staff and management visit schools across South Yorkshire and North East Derbyshire throughout the season including, amongst others:
Basketball coaching
Workshops in smoking,
Nutrition and the Healthy Heart in Hoops4Health
Curriculum enhancement in the Rotherham Chamber’s 'Adopt A School' Programme
Looking after your money with HSBC Hoops Hysteria
The Sharks will also have a full cohort of schools attending the Class of Champions through the Playing For Success initiative. Once again, this partnership programme with the Department for Education and Skills (DFES) and Sheffield City Council will see the club working to provide the support and stimulus for a range of literacy and numeracy activities with ICT for both primary and secondary pupils. This programme aims to raise the achievements and aspirations of kids utilising the exciting environment of a professional sports club and also the Sharks players as great role models.
2005 also saw the success of the Sharks with MLS, the parent company, highly commended nationally by Business in the Community winning the Power in Partnership Award for it's work with 22 partners including Westfield Health, HSBC, Sheffield Cathedral, Specsavers, Sheffield International Venues, Rotherham Chamber and were highly recommended in this category.
The Sharks is entering its third year in partnership with the Sheffield Cathedral Development Campaign as we continue to support the Breakfast and Archer project and it's wonderful work with South Yorkshires homeless.
Sharks Arena Game for Homeless Project
On Wednesday 29th March the Hallam FM Arena hosts the Westfield Sharks versus the London Towers British Basketball League Fixture. For this game the Sharks have teamed up with Sheffield Cathedral to put on a Basketball Extravanganza. Proceeds from this event go to the Sheffield Cathedral Development Project, which is raising money to build a centre for vulnerable and homeless people in Sheffield. The Cathedral Breakfast and Archer Project serves the needs of the homeless, vulnerable and most deprived and disadvantaged people in Sheffield on a daily basis.
If you would like more information on the Westfield Sharks community programmes please contact: Alison Bridge on ++ (0) 114 257 1994 or email: alison.bridge@mls.gb.com
