Dover Pirates Basketball club is appealing for more businesses to work with them to boost their profile.

They have been visited by Labour’s parliamentary candidate Clair Hawkins who went to see the Pirates Youth Team play the Senior All Stars.

She said: “I really enjoyed watching and it was great to have the opportunity to find out a bit more about this really friendly and ambitious club.

“I hope our Pirates can get the support they need to develop as a club and make a return to the league very soon.”

The Senior All Stars won the game, 75-34.

Tim Farrow from the club said: “The Pirates Youth team took an early lead in the first quarter, using speed to their advantage.

“They looked strong and focused after training with head coach Andy Nicholas for a month.

“Realising the game was going to be closer than they had thought, the All Stars changed their tactics.

“Moving into the third quarter the seniors’ experience of playing as a squad allowed them to start taking control over the game and play for the win.”

The club plays and trains every Monday from 8pm to 9.30pm at Dover Leisure Centre in Townwall Street.

Club membership is free – you just pay when you play.

It costs £4 for under-18s and £5 for over-18s.

The club is run by volunteers and players who enjoy social side of the sport.

Mr Farrow said: “We welcome players of all abilities and have an age range of between 11 and 50.

“As the club grows we would like to be able to run a dedicated session for the younger Pirates.

"We are looking at a new mentoring programme.

“We also hope to get the girls team back up and running.”

For more information email Mr Farrow on tim.farrow@btinternet.com