OA City teacher selected to represent Great Britain

Kelly Simcox, Teacher of Science at Outwood Academy City, has been chosen to be part of the over 35 women’s team that will represent Great Britain in the Masters Basketball World Championships. Masters basketball, often referred to as maxibasketball, is basketball for players aged over 35.

 The Federation of Masters Basketball Association (FIMBA) world championship tournament is an annual event, which is being held from 13-16 April this year, in Croatia. There will be over 35s and 40s teams from 6 countries participating, including Croatia, Hungary, Slovenia and Great Britain.

Kelly, 38, has been playing basketball since the age of 12 after first trying the sport in school PE lessons. Kelly’s PE teacher, Saira Luffman, who was a basketball player and coach for the England U14 girls basketball team at the time, encouraged Kelly and her team to play competitively, however, they had to play in a boys league as there were no other girls basketball teams in Harrogate at the time.

After leaving school, Kelly went on to represent her university as part of the Sheffield Hallam first team, as well as playing for Shropshire Warriors, Sheffield Hatters, and Derbyshire Gems before setting up her own team, Derbyshire Diamonds.

At the age of 37, Kelly had decided to retire from the sport due to family and work commitments but decided to give basketball one last push after seeing a recruitment advert for FIMBA, with the opportunity to represent Great Britain. After going through the trial process, Kelly was successfully appointed to the team earlier this year.

Speaking of her opportunity, Kelly said:

“I am incredibly proud at the age of 38 to still be given the opportunity to represent my nation, especially when I thought my time with the sport was over. I am grateful to my PE teacher for encouraging me to play the sport I love, my family for the endless support with journeys across the country to fixtures and training and to my friends that have always encouraged me on and off the court.

“I hope I can show that no matter your age, you can still achieve your dreams and I hope I can be an inspiration to younger girls in sports that anything is possible if you work hard, and stay focused. They too can do anything they aspire to do.”