Betty Codona: Women's basketball great wins unsung hero award

Women's basketball pioneer Betty Codona has been named BBC Yorkshire's Unsung Hero for 2021.

She has been recognised for her work in growing the game over more than six decades, having founded Sheffield Hatters in 1961 and now goes through to the national BBC finals.

They now stand tall as the oldest and most successful club in women's basketball, with more than 65 national titles.

The former PE teacher was also recently shortlisted for The Sunday Times Grassroots Sportswoman of the Year Award.

In the 2021/2022 WBBL season, the Hatters are celebrating their diamond anniversary, and the silverware they secured in that time.

Granddaughter Georgia Gayle, who plays for the Hatters, said:

"She is the heart and soul of this club, nothing would happen without her.

"We're here today because of her, everybody looks up to her, everybody respects her."

You can watch BBC Yorkshire's interview with Codona and some of the people she has impacted below.

Main image credit - Andrew Whitton