Any basketball fans who were watching Sky Sports on Friday 24th February may have spotted the B&E Boys logo around the court, as we were the match sponsors for the game between B. Braun Sheffield Sharks and Surrey Scorchers in the BBL Championship.
As well as sponsoring the match, B&E Boys also gave 100 tickets to DESA (Darnall Education and Sports Academy). The aim of the Academy is to transform the lives of young people living in Darnall and Sheffield through sport and education. This gave the youngsters an opportunity to experience a wonderful live sporting event.
The Darnall Education & Sports Academy (DESA) focuses on multiple sports, such as football, cricket and basketball. Not only does this engage young people, it also encourages them to lead active and healthier lifestyles. Along with a range of forward-thinking educational projects, the work of DESA really enhances quality of life for young people in the area.
The key goals of the Academy are physical and mental wellbeing; education; and community cohesion. DESA understands that sport is a great way to break down barriers and bring together people from different backgrounds. Sport also provides excellent opportunities for young people to build self-confidence and develop social skills.
The B.Braun Sheffield Sharks are one of the most decorated teams in BBL (British Basketball League) history, boasting 14 different league titles. B&E Boys are currently working on a project at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park. This consists of the development of a 2,500-seat basketball arena, which will become the new home for B. Braun Sheffield Sharks and Sheffield Hatters.
The new purpose-built arena will also feature associated amenities and leisure facilities. The Sheffield Olympic will provide state-of-the-art facilities for the local community and will be versatile enough to host a wide range of leisure functions and events for years to come.
An added bonus is that one end of the new building will house a medical facility developed by Canon Medical Systems UK. The facility will accommodate MRI and CT scanners; Ultrasound and X-Ray equipment; and an operating theatre where minor surgery can take place. It will be managed by Living Care Limited and will provide extra health provision for NHS and private patients across Sheffield.
John Boys and Brennan Boys attended the Sharks’ game on Friday. They had the opportunity to meet local community groups from the Attercliffe area of Sheffield, where the Sharks’ new home is being built. The Head of Sheffield City Council, Councillor Terry Fox was also in attendance.
In a highly entertaining game at Ponds Forge, the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks came out with a comfortable victory in the end 92-74 against the Scorchers. There were some great individual performances, with Jalon Pipkins and Sa’eed Nelson deserving particular credit.
The game was a must-win and is excellent preparation for next weekend’s crunch clash in the BBL Trophy semi-final away at Cheshire Phoenix in Ellesmere Port.
The project on the new basketball arena in Sheffield continues B&E Boys proud tradition of working on the development of sports arenas and facilities and improving opportunities for communities.