Hampshire basketball mourning loss of Team Solent Kestrel Bev Guymon

The woman who started the Solent Stars junior programme back in 1998 has passed away after battling pancreatic cancer for a few years. She was 55.

-Born in Southampton, Bev attended Moorhill Secondary School - now Woodlands School - and was the driving force behind creating the largest basketball club on the south coast.

In 2006 she oversaw the transition into Solent Kestrels Basketball Club, and was the club's general manager until her death. All her work for the club over the last 20 years was as a volunteer, using much of her own money and time to provide opportunities for young people in our region.

Bev created opportunities for thousands of young people in the area, leading ton participation initiatives with Sport Hampshire & IOW to bring basketball into over 100 schools in the region.

She also created the Solent Area Basketball Leagues which run weekly proving basketball opportunities for hundreds of players.

Since being diagnosed with cancer, Bev was an advocate for the LAPR&D Charity.

She organised a charity basketball event in 2013 which raised over £20,000, and a year later organised a climb of St Catherine's Hill near Winchester which raised over £5,000.

She also kept working full time in her role as Basketball England Primary School Development Officer up until January of this year.

Nigel Wilkinson, the Team Solent Kestrels Chairman, paid his tribute.

"Bev was a unique and inspirational person, always putting others before herself," he said.

"Bev was a true ambassador to the game of basketball and would do anything to get youngsters playing the game.

"She was truly an inspiring women.

Bev Guymon, front, with players at the charity basketball event she organised three years ago.

"Solent Kestrels Basketball Club and the community of basketball will be worst off without this very special lady.

"I just hope that those who have known Bev, and have been involved with the sport, will carry on with Bev’s beliefs, to pave the way to helping young people play the game.

"Bev would not say no to anyone - picking any player up to for training, no matter where they were and how far she had to travel.

"She would also allow players to stay overnight at her house, much at times to the surprise of her family.

"Bev saw the good in everyone and that’s what made her such a unique person.

Solent Kestrels Basketball Club will not be the same without her but both myself and all those involved will make sure that her beliefs and traditions will carry on though out the club for years to come."

Mick Byrne, Chairman of the Solent Area Basketball Association, added: "Beverley was a truly remarkable woman.

"She was fiercely competitive but was loved and respected by everyone in the basketball community in the Solent area.

"She was fully immersed in providing opportunities in basketball for all young players. She had an ability to motivate all in the game no matter your age or ability or position.

Many players over very many years owe their positions in the sport, and in life, to her gift of leadership and example.

"People like Beverley do not come along often. We were privileged to have known her.

"We will all miss her bubbly personality, her ready smile and drive to achieve her basketball goals."

James Matthews, director of Solent Kestrels, said: "Bev was an amazing lady and her loss is enormous both to the club and to the Basketball community as a whole.

"She was the heart of the club and it’s engine too - a mother figure to many of the boys in the youth programme and a friendly face and presence at all our games and events.

"Her boundless energy and enthusiasm never waned and she was still travelling many miles to attend away games right up until the last few weeks of her life.

"Bev was loved by everyone and was without a doubt the nicest person I have ever known."

Bev is survived by husband Jimmie, son Matthew and daughter Kirstie. She also leaves a brother, Gary Smith, and a sister, Cheryl Colmer.