AN up-and-coming basketball club has been given a bounce with funding from SportScotland.

West End-based Glasgow Fever is to get £27,000 over four years to pay for a community coach who will help the club run sessions in local schools.

The group started out in 2010 as a senior women's club and will now reach out to schools and nurseries across the West End and in Milngavie and Bearsden to attract young players.

Founder Adrienne Hunter said: "It's important to have someone who is a paid professional who can go out and target as many schools as possible. It's really exciting for the club.

"We had a vision to create these centres but the funding makes it happen quicker. We have volunteers who go out, but it will be good to have a real presence in the community."

Based at Hillhead High School, Glasgow Fever seniors play in the Strathclyde League for senior women and Cup, as well as the Chairman's Cup, winning all three this year.

Under 10s play in the regional development leagues and under 12s are starting to play in the Glasgow league.

Next year the club plans to enter twice the number of competitions and start a men's team.

Adrienne said: "We now have about 50 junior members, which is brilliant.

"It teaches them so much, not just about the sport and the obvious health issues but the life lessons they take away. Keeping active is really important."

More than 50 clubs across the country have now received a cash boost, totalling more than £1million, from the Sport Scotland Direct Club Investment programme.

Using National Lottery funding, DCI is designed to support large-scale club development over two to four years. About £4m will be invested by SportScotland into the DCI funding stream over four years.

angela.mcmanus@eveningtimes.co.uk