TRIBUTES were paid to a “fabulous friend” in a netball tournament held in memory of a Bradford teacher who died of bowel cancer at the age of 49.
Frances Hammond, a PE teacher at Queensbury Academy and long-time player for Mirfield Netball Club, died on her 49th birthday in May 2023 after a battle with bowel cancer.
On Sunday, May 19, her former Mirfield Netball Club teammates held the Frances Hammond Trophy netball tournament at Buttershaw Business and Enterprise Academy, raising £3,000 for Bowel Cancer UK in her memory.
Fran was a caring, kind and inspirational teacher at Queensbury Academy who joined Mirfield Netball in 2009 and lived locally – mum to two boys, and wife to husband Paul.
One year on, teammates, friends, family and local teams came together to hold a tournament in her honour.
Ten teams from Dewsbury, Huddersfield, Bradford and of course, Mirfield (past and present) raised funds through a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses.
The day was a huge success, with teams competing for the trophy in the sun, wearing yellow ribbons in their hair to remember Fran.
Fran’s team reunited as ‘Mirfield Originals’ wearing yellow t-shirts as part of the tribute to Fran.
Fran’s teammate Lucy Davies, current Mirfield coach and 20 year-long player at Mirfield Netball Club, led the organising of the day.
Lucy said: “Fran was a special person who brought so much energy and positivity to our team both on and off court.
“The tournament represented the amazing and supportive netball community that Fran had been part of.
“It was lovely to get the reunion team playing together again, we all still play, but not all in the same team anymore.
“Involving Fran’s family was also really important to us, and having them with us at the tournament was precious.
“We’d like to thank everyone who contributed, from buying a raffle ticket to umpiring, it’s been a huge team effort that goes beyond sport and I’m proud we’ve been able to raise so much money and importantly, pay tribute to our fabulous friend who we miss.”
The final saw Huddersfield All Blacks take on Synergy in a gruelling goal for goal contest that went to extra time. Even extra time could not split the two teams, and in blazing hot sunshine and the spirit of the day, the teams agreed to share the top spot.
Fran’s parents, Joan and John presented teams with their trophy and medals and everyone walked away smiling.
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