BBF mourns passing of Pauline Prior

The British Basketball Federation is saddened to hear of the passing of Nottingham Wildcats’ Pauline Prior.

Prior was a founding member of the Wildcats, playing for a total of 16 seasons, primarily in the topflight of British Women’s Basketball and was a well-known and much-loved figure across the sport.

Following her playing career, Prior held a number of team management roles for both England and GB, including working with head coach Mark Clark and the senior women in 2006 and 2007.

“So sad to hear of Pauline’s passing. Pauline, Chris and Siobhan have always been great friends, so loyal and supportive to everyone,” said Clark.

“Pauline was England and GB Team Manager and enjoyed two firsts in those roles; with England she was there when we won our only International Championship – Commonwealth Gold in 1991 and then as part of the group of people who laid the foundations for GB basketball in 2006.

“She was one of the most committed individuals I ever came across in basketball, founding one the most successful clubs in the country, working tirelessly on and off court for her club members of all ages. She was respected and loved by all.

“Most importantly she cared! Not about herself but about everyone from her family, her friends and all those mini basketballers she introduced to our game.

“She is already missed, and she is a great loss. My thoughts are with Chris, Siobhan and all her many, many friends.”

A former England U17 and U19 player during her youth, Prior was an influential figure throughout her lengthy playing career. Following her retirement Pauline moved into a team management role, represented England’s U17 Women during the European Championships. She continued her team manager duties for the Senior Women for a number of years, including her work with Clark and GB. Her last international team manager appointment was in 2011.

In recent years, Prior has continued to dedicate herself to the Wildcats. Working extensively to elevate the club to their current heights in the WBBL, Pauline still retained a drive and enthusiasm to help inspire and develop the young players throughout the Wildcats’ programme.

In April 2019, Prior became the first ever inductee to the Nottingham Wildcats Hall of Fame and later that month the Pauline Prior International Challenge was created with England’s U15 girls, Great Britain’s U16 women and Ireland’s U16 women all participating.

Our thoughts are with the Prior family at this difficult time.