Canon Medical &
The Sheffield Sharks
Sheffield Sharks professional basketball team in Partnership with Canon Medical Systems UK
Canon Medical Systems are working in association with the professional basketball team, Sheffield Sharks, to deliver a unique programme called ‘RESPECT’. The RESPECT programme focuses on improving the chances for young people to break away from a cycle of disadvantage; giving hope and confidence, plus practical skills to create better opportunities in life.
RESPECT
The RESPECT programme, aimed at school children aged 9-11 years provides a fusion of fun basketball sessions with Sheffield Sharks players, and classroom-based workshops.
The workshops cover issues such as cyber-bullying, bullying and health and fitness, that aim to break the negative cycle of behaviour, before they reach secondary school age.
The community links also promotes getting involved in team sports, such as basketball as well as street dance, channelling energy in a constructive way, to lift spirits and minimise behavioural issues.
RESPECT TOO
RESPECT TOO is aimed at young adults aged 14-15 years at risk of engaging within criminal & anti-social behaviour. With many pupils at risk of grooming from organised crime gangs. The workshop-led programme, which includes basketball sessions, is based on the principle that sport can be an effective tool to facilitate social change.
The programme provides these vulnerable young people with six weekly workshops helping them to choose the right path in life. The sessions are run with the help of Sheffield Sharks’ professional basketball players, many of whom have come from tough city backgrounds in the UK and USA, who share their real-life experiences of overcoming obstacles and creating a positive future.
RESPECT TOO includes topics such as anger management, self-identity, behaviour and conduct, communication, healthy lifestyles and creating future goals. The programme also teaches children that education and qualifications are vital. This has led to a 100% pass rate in pupils achieving City & Guild qualifications.
A Long-term Partnership
The long-term relationship between Sheffield Sharks’ RESPECT initiatives and Canon Medical Systems UK began in 2018. Since the lockdown of 2020, the courses have successfully reached an estimated 5,000 school children, and in 2023 over 800 children participated in RESPECT and RESPECT TOO programmes.
These programmes have had a positive impact on the young people who have participated in them – open conversations regarding physical health and bullying have led to schools reporting positive outcomes with students who had been struggling with the concept of negative connotations of either subject.
“The Sheffield Sharks RESPECT programme has been so important to our school over many years. It complements our own PSCHE curriculum and safeguarding topics perfectly. Delivery of the sessions is unique and our pre-teen pupils sit up and take notice – you can see their interest and engagement rise during the sessions”
Mandy French, Safeguarding Officer at Arbourthorne Community Primary School
“The RESPECT programme is about striving for the greater good. It mirrors our own Japanese business culture and the philosophy behind our ‘Made for life’ vision of building relationships that rely on trust, respect and transparency to improve life for all. We are proud to see the positive impacts that the RESPECT scheme is having on local children, families and the wider community.”
Mark Hitchman, Managing Director of Canon Medical Systems UK
Enriching Children’s Lives
The RESPECT programmes provide children in the Sheffield City with some real once-in-a lifetime opportunities to enrich their lives.