Basketball England was saddened to hear of the passing of London Thunder stalwart Ann Pittman this week.
Pittman was a founding member of the Thunder and devoted a significant amount of time to helping those associated with the club as an administrator, table official, tutor and friend.
As a teacher, working for over 25 years within the Borough of Lewisham where she lived, Pittman dedicated more than 30 years of her life to the game at club, league and regional level.
As a table official tutor, she also helped train and develop a vast number of officials to help the sport grow across the capital.
"Ann worked tirelessly for the Thunder since its inception and will be impossible to replace," said club chairman Keith Dwan.
"She impacted positively on the lives of so many young people and brought her love of basketball, energy and passion with her to every task she undertook.
"Our thoughts and support go out to her family at such a sad time. I've personally known Ann for over 50 years and I'm finding it difficult to describe or convey how much she loved basketball and the basketball community.
"It now becomes our duty to continue to work and toil at Thunder in her name and to never forget how much we all owe to Ann and her legacy."
A further tribute was also offered by Patricia Fairclough OBE on behalf of the London Region: “London Region Basketball is shocked and so very sad to hear we’ve loss a stalwart of basketball in the region and sincerely grieve with Lewisham Thunder Basketball Club."
The regional chair added: "Ann was still at the pinnacle of her basketball career and devoted her time sincerely for youth, officials and her club’s growth and development. Ann was a great professional person, very methodical and she will live on in our memories forever.
"Our heartfelt condolences to her son Josh, her family, friends and London Thunder – Lewisham Basketball club staff, members and associates. I personally will treasure our friendship and years of work together.”
Our thoughts go out to Ann's family at this difficult time.
