Sheffield companies support Sharks basketball community programmes

31st May 2017

Local companies Counter Context and Quality Context have scored an exciting sponsorship deal with the Sheffield Sharks, becoming partners of the community development 'Respect' programme.

The companies launched the sponsorship earlier this month when they brushed up on their own basketball skills with an exclusive lesson from Sharks' player, Zach Gachette and head coach, Atiba Lyons. As corporate partners of the Respect programme, both businesses will provide financial and hands-on support to the programme, which reaches over 600 young people in the Sheffield City Region every year. This programme is aimed at children aged 9 to 11 who are vulnerable and at risk to pressures in society including cyber bullying, child exploitation and crime. The Respect programme is designed to give children a dynamic learning experience, which includes six hours of basketball coaching and two hours of in-school education. Sharks players, several of which are qualified teachers, deliver the basketball and educational lessons, a unique aspect to the programme which has proven successful in engaging young people. The programme culminates in an annual cross-school tournament, hosted at the home of Sheffield Sharks, the English Institute of Sport, providing the children with an opportunity to come together, celebrate and showcase their skills. In 2017 alone, the Respect programme will be delivered in 10 schools in the city region thanks to the backing of companies like Counter Context and Quality Context. Kate Krachai, Managing Director of Quality Context, said: -The Sheffield Sharks are doing an amazing job, not only of increasing awareness of our impressive basketball credentials in Sheffield, but of using their position and reach to make a positive impact to the lives and prospects of young people in the region. -Both companies are proud to be based in Sheffield and once we heard about the fantastic work the Sharks are doing in the Sheffield City Region, we had no hesitation in sponsoring such an inspirational programme. -The basketball lesson given to our employees was brilliant and we saw first-hand how natural the players are at motivating and inspiring people to learn new skills. -Our teams are looking forward to getting involved; volunteering at the summer tournament and contributing to some of the lessons delivered on the Respect programme to ensure this vital initiative continues to support young people in our region.