Young basketball players in Sheffield are to benefit from a charity grant of more than £8,000, which will be used to help pay for a community coach.

Paul Szafraniec has been appointed to develop the sport in schools and clubs across the city and will coach players between the ages of seven and 18.

He will work with the Sheffield Sharks and Sheffield Hatters basketball clubs and the city’s school sport partnerships to help the organisations plan new initiatives.

Uriah Rennie, community liaison officer for Sheffield City Trust, which provided the funding, said: “We are thrilled to be able to support the development of basketball in Sheffield.

“The grant is an important contribution towards the city’s bid to develop basketball and we hope that through the additional coaching, young people will acquire the skills needed to become the UK’s next generation of basketball stars.”

The trust manages Sheffield International Venues’ 12 sports and facilities in the city. Details: www.sheffield.gov.uk