The passing of a legend
It is with enormous sadness, that we must let you all know that Norfolk basketball legend Jim West passed away over the jubilee weekend at the age of 83.
Words inevitably fail to do justice to a man whom many consider the modern father of basketball in Great Yarmouth. Jim of course would be the first to point out that league basketball existed in the town long before his arrival. However, it was Jim - basketball coach at the University of East Anglia, and lifelong Boston Celtics fan - who championed the sport to countless youth players through his community basketball sessions at the Drill Hall on York Road.
In the mid-1980’s Jim was employed by Great Yarmouth Borough Council as a Sports Development Officer to encourage participation in sport by target groups such as women, over 60s, and people with disabilities. During this time Jim started the long-running Sports Club 88 for the over 50s, who met in the Drill Hall for short tennis, archery, and short mat bowls for over 20 years before relocating to the Marina Centre in 2012. Jim organised the basketball sessions in addition to his paid work. Jim’s wife Cathy recalls, “He did them to give the kids somewhere to go and keep them out of trouble. They were charged a minimal amount, no questions asked if someone couldn't afford it, he made up the shortfall himself.”
Under Jim’s leadership, the teaching of life lessons was just as important as the fundamentals of the sport, and a failure to adhere to the rules; sharing the ball, no answering back, and absolutely ‘No Dunking’, could result in a swift week-long ban. As a result, Jim was not only responsible for an explosion of interest in the sport amongst young people in the town but was held in increasingly high regard and affection by those who knew and were coached by him.
Cathy recalls an example of Jim’s desire to help young people in positive ways, “In the early 90s we had just got a brand-new car which was vandalised in our garden the day after we got it. Rather than report the boy we knew had done it to the police, Jim applied for, and received, a grant to organise outings for the troublesome kids in our area. Jim took them paintballing, laser shooting and other activities - which was controversial, to say the least. At the time It was seen to be rewarding bad behaviour, but Jim saw it more as showing the chaps the nice things they could have if they toed the line, stayed in school and eventually got a job.”
In his later years, Jim was frequently stopped whilst walking around town by former players he had coached as young men and women, offering their thanks for his time and support. Even as Jim’s health deteriorated he would regularly receive visits to his home from people keen to say thank you and have their picture taken with him.
Our love, thoughts and support are with Cathy, her friends, and all those whose lives have been touched by Jim at this terribly sad time. Together Cathy and Jim have been staunch and enormously generous supporters of Great Yarmouth Basketball Club for many years, and it is important to Cathy and ourselves that Jim’s legacy is continued through all of the young people we introduce to the sport and coach with the same passion and energy shown by Jim himself.
It is rare that one person can elicit so much love, affection, and respect from so many people within a community, and it is a true measure of the greatness of the man that his loss will be mourned by so many.
In 2017 Jim was named an Honorary Life Member of the club and the first inductee into the club Hall of Fame.
The club’s most prestigious award - the Jim West Trophy - is given out annually to the Club Member of the Year, named in Jim’s honour.
If you would like to share your memories of Jim please use the form below. We will review these and add them to a permanent remembrance page on our website. If you would like to submit photos of Jim please email us by clicking the link at the top of this page.
Your Memories
Jim ran a lot of basketball clubs when I lived in Southtown, he got so many kids and myself into basketball. He was someone I looked forward to seeing after school and the clubs he organised meant so much to so many different people. His passing has deeply saddened me and his family are in my thoughts x
Christopher Leo - June 2022
I first met Jim at Great Yarmouth high school where he ran after school sessions, I started going to the session and then carried on and joined a team where Jim was my basketball coach for many years at the drill hall on York Road. He was firm but fair and it was always his way or no way. A true true gentleman who will be greatly missed by so many. Sleep tight Jim West x x
Hayley Farman - June 2022
What a legend Jim West was, his rules for ensuring the flow of basketball games during open run sessions will always be remembered. RIP Mr West and until we meet again…. It’s my turn “THATS A WEEK!”
Anthony Shellard | Caister-on-Sea - June 2022
Jim came into my life the same year Michael Jordan won his first championship against the Lakers in ‘91 and both were so influential to me growing up enjoying the game of basketball, learning life lessons and having great times with friends. Both of them were from North Carolina coincidentally, both of them hold GOAT status in their own right, but I have only been clotheslined and elbowed in the head by one of them! Jim helped us as boys grow in to men with some of those tough lessons, but prepared us to move into the Gunners men’s team, which in our first year was truly like going up against giants. We all built confidence from this and gradually took over that team paving the way for many young players to come through into the men’s league. I still speak to many of that group and we all say how much we appreciated Jim’s guidance at that key time in our lives and how we owe part of where we are today to him. And even though it was 30 years ago, I still love regularly shooting hoops and watching hoops and every time I do, I have flashbacks to those awesome times at the Drill Hall. Thanks for everything Jim! Let’s hope the Celtics can win the NBA finals for you!
Chris Webster | North Carolina - June 2022
My first coach, mentor and friend. A lovely man who will be sorely missed. I think my path as a coach and club organiser is completely down to this man. He coached me in the UEA ladies team, though I wasn't a student there. He encouraged me to be involved in basketball and refereed many games for me over the years, even travelling to a tournament in Barton under Needwood with my school team for the weekend as our referee. He gave his time freely and loved the game. I know there are many people whose lives he has touched and who will remember Jim as fondly as I do. Rest in Peace Jim xx
Doreen McCormick | Norwich - June 2022
Jim was a massive influence on myself and some life friends at a very important time in our lives. As young adolescents he coached us and instilled great lessons which still live with me to this day. Whilst it is sad that he has now passed, I like to think his legacy will live on and his dedication to helping young people discover a great sport and help them to be the best they can be is something that he and his family can be truly proud of. Thanks for everything Jim and we will all remember you.
Ryan Duffer | Blundeston - June 2022
I first met Jim when I was at GY High school as a student. A skinny, 4ft wisp of a girl. He made me feel as if I was 6ft tall and he encouraged me to be the best I could be. I then joined the team where the kids were nearly 5-6 ft tall. I had a place in the team and felt as important as any of those kids. I saw him from time to time out and about with his wife and he always stopped to chat. He was an inspiration and I will never forget him. ❤️
Samantha Richardson | Great Yarmouth - June 2022
I remember Jim from when I was a young lad being a rogue about town and I also had the pleasure to meet him as a adult on many occasions as I worked with Cathy for a number of years, another West who took me "under her wing". I was one of those kids who couldn't really afford to play but every time I turned up I was involved and from my background it was odd that an adult had time for us and would expect not much in return. It was easy to follow the rules as Jim’s time was the reward. And about 10 years later the rogue applied for a job and this time it was Cathy who had a punt on me but could see as a couple their values aligned and once again I was grateful and through this it was where I come across Jim and he never lost his enthusiasm for basketball or even sport as it was a go to subject which suited me as my love for sport had grown and he even had time for me as an adult. I found him a fascinating as he had so much to talk about and his knowledge was endless. He really did do a lot for young people in the town and I know I wont be the only one who would feel like this. RIP Jim Love and support to Cathy. X
Nathan Thimpson | Great Yarmouth - June 2022
I am truly saddened by the news of Jim's passing. He was such an inspiration to me when I was younger! He brought so much passion to the game! I couldn't wait till Saturdays to play at the drill hall, it was by far the best part of my week. Great Yarmouth was blessed having such a generous leader of the community. You will be missed Jim! Thank you for giving so much to so many.
Matt Clayton | Great Yarmouth - June 2022
Jim was a massive part of my life when I was growing up. He introduced me to basketball when I was in high school and helped me progress in a sport which I loved. He was always so kind and gentle and an absolute legend to everyone who got to know him. Such an amazing gentleman. My thoughts are with Jim’s wife and family ❤️
Gemma Farman | Great Yarmouth - June 2022
Jim was an honest, fair man who respected and was respected by all those that were in his presence on those nights at the Drill Hall or the Marina. I was given my fair share of “That’s a week”’s myself and still came back. Rest In Peace Mr West
Sam Morgan | Texas - June 2022
Jim West was an amazing man and a role model for a lot of us growing up, he wouldn’t take no attitude off nobody and gave us a safe place to go meet up, the NO DUNKING rule will always stick in my mind lol ( not that I could anyway ). I would like to give my condolences to Jim’s family, I’m glad I was lucky enough to know him he will be deeply missed.
Wayne Godfrey - June 2022
I was the epitome of what Jim West was about, taking troubled and/or underprivileged youths off the streets and giving them purpose. As a youth I lived in the most deprived area of Great Yarmouth and was on a very slippery slope of crime and violence that no doubt would have dominated my adult life. However, I caught a break when I was relocated to Caister in 1993 where I met some good kids who introduced me to the sport of basketball and obviously Jim West. I cut ties with older friends who were up to no good and concentrated on basketball and staying out of trouble. For 14 years of drill hall sessions and league games, me and Jim would go back and forth, he constantly boxed me out with physical force, berate me when I done something wrong and barge me off the ball. For such an older and smaller man, he certainly never backed down. However, when he wasn't teaching me a man's game on the court, he was coaching me from side lines on technique and giving me the occasional "well done Leon" when I made a good play. I can literally hear his voice now! The be-all and end-all is that Jim was strict but fair and I needed that discipline and compassion growing up. Without Jim, basketball and the friends I had around me during my playing time, I'm certain I'd be a different person today. RIP Jim, I'll never forget you. Enjoy doing them mad stutter steps in heaven my friend.
Leon Sherwood | Ipswich - June 2022
Rip Jim. I first met you in the 80s when you started up a badminton group in the Marina Centre. I was so nervous turning up to play . You were so friendly and kind you made me feel so relax and I still play to this day 🏸 . You will be sadly missed . my heart goes out to Cathy xx
Lorrain Dawson - June 2022
Jim West inspired a generation of Norfolk Basketball players and taught them the fundamentals of this great game. I can remember appreciating the effort put into Sunday night drills focused on unselfish play and ball movement to find the open shot. I had many telling offs and got on his nerves intentionally during our time together and we had some great battles, but we always brought the best out of one and other and finished every session with a hand slap and a desire to do it all over again a few days later. Jim was a student of the game and wasn’t into the show boating of that generation; he was always Bird over Magic, hard work over showtime, his respect for UCLA coach John Wooden was quite something and we said to me one of Woodens quotes which has stayed with me to this day “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” …. Jim West was the MVP of the drill hall and I will cherish the times we played together, with my brother and my best friends. Rest In Peace coach
Phil Bird | Tenerife - June 2022
What a top top man. Known Jim since about 91 and loved playing with and against him, he made me and others around him play hard and learn the hard way but always within the bounds of the game ( mostly). He had such a positive influence on so many young lives although we would never have realised it at the time. The guy was a true a pioneer and without him basketball would be nowhere near as prevalent or popular as it is in this area to this day. He was like marmite, love him or hate him at times but he never changed for anybody and ruled everything straight down the line!! Thank you for everything you did, rest in peace Jim and give me one more week to add the tally from up there!!
Richard Plant | Great Yarmouth - June 2022
Wow…where do I start? So much to thank Jim for and I feel there would be no way for me to ever show or tell him how much I appreciated him. At school I loved football but basketball I loved playing more and none of my friends got it. Although you could play ball on your own, it sucked you couldn’t play with others. Because nobody liked it, I used to wait up Greenacre field hoping someone would come to play a 1-1 or a game of 21. Then this lady said who saw me playing by myself said, you know there’s a place for kids like you at the drill hall right? Where you can play with kids who play basketball? I was in shock and didn’t believe her. She came back a few days later and wrote down the drill hall address and I was shocked it was a 10-minute walk down the road from my house. I was 12 and I remember being so nervous I got my dad to drop me off! Jim welcomed me and said have fun, be respectful, do not swear and you should be alright. Then just winked at me, from there my love for it got bigger. All of sudden every Saturday (50p!) a session I went from playing on my own to having so many friends. We would go every week. Finish at 2ish and head to McDonald’s or town and just potter about. When he said to me and my mates. We are old enough and good enough for the adult sessions (Monday - Friday nights) for a scandalous £1-£2 haha. That was a mad one! Saw so many nuts ballers that I didn’t even know existed and thought we were so cool and just wanted to impress as a 16/17 year old. The stuff these guys would do and the way Jim would even mess them up was crazy! Those guys then kind of big brothered me in and we’re like small role models to me. That was all thanks to Jim too. I lived just around the corner from York road and that area was rough as hell! I remember in the winter Jim used to offer or get the older guys on adult sessions to take me home. I used to say no and most of the time I wouldn’t have a say and I’d be in someone’s car. Whether it was his, Katie’s, Gedges, Plant’s, Phil, Lee, Matt, Leon, Sarah, Stu, Pie or Gary (always wondered what he was doing now because he really took me under his wing when I went through some stuff at 16) but all those guys. They were awesome and showed me that people didn’t need to be patronising because there older than you. They can be your mate too and not (too cool) to speak to the younger kids. Getting a high five from them when you made a good play and then Jim nodding was another level of happiness. What a feeling. Jim took it the next step and used to take us to Kings Lynn Games, Harlem globetrotters games and London bball games. All he would ask for was a fiver and that was to cover the minibus which sometimes he’d even drive. He taught you how to be respectful in the game and that translated to outside the drill hall. There was no better feeling than making a nice play, pass or shot and you glance over to Jim. Sat on the bench just off the centre of the court, arms folded and he would just nod once or sometimes twice. That! That was the best feeling ever, the Jim nod solidified you smashed it. Then he would get his can of Diet Coke out, his green apple and cut it up into little pieces with his Swiss knife whilst we played and sometimes he’d get involved. “No blood, no foul!” “That’s a week!” I could never do it, but if the older guys did it. He says “no dunking” “that’s a week” sometimes I wanted to be able to dunk just so he could give the “ban” catchphrase haha! He was one hell of a bloke, tough as they come but yet so deep and patient. He was the reason I got into basketball for longer. He’s the reason I met the friends I did and still speak to this day. Jim was the glue of ball round GY for me. I just wish I knew that my last session was going to be my last with him and really thank him. His reunion was a few years back at the marina and it was awesome and mega turnout. But he was mobbed (in the best way possible) by people and just felt I’d bother him. I don’t know why I felt that way. Kind of watching all the grown-up guys show him love and hug him stuff was just as nice, now I wish I said more. But I guess now is a better time than any. Thank you Jim. West really was the best! We lost a pioneer to our local game. Thanks for being part of our lives and making ball known more than it should have in some ways round here. What I would do to play one “Drill hall” session again…sheshh. Thanks again Jim, RIP West was the Best!
Sam Anderton | Great Yarmouth - June 2022
We have known Jim and Cathy for about 10-12 years now and I have to say what a lovely couple they are. We were so sad to hear of him passing as the last time we saw him about 6 weeks ago he was pretty good bless him. Gonna miss you Jim loved your American accent and the stories of your life. You were amazing. Love ya. xxxx❤️🌅🙏
Tracey Woods | Cawston - June 2022
I cannot express how sad I am and indeed we are as a family on hearing of Jim’s passing. I had known him since 1987. We had many great times with the basketball at Great Yarmouth High Monday sessions, Marine Centre, the Drill Hall and City College over the years. I played for the PCC Gunners at the age of 14 in 1988; with the likes of John Steel and Phil Juneau. They also were a great help in teaching and allowing me to play in their team at such a young age. Jim was always there at practice sessions and of course the referee for many of their games. When Jim went to coach and run sessions at City College in 1988 he ask me to go with him. Jim was my coach at Norwich City College when a team was started between 1991 to 1996. I am indebted, as many should also be to Jim for bringing basketball to so many of us in the area over the years. His time, patience and support in teaching, coaching and arranging this great sport for us all. He was a friend to so many people and one could say the most important person, I believe in bringing the game and making it more accessible, not only in the Great Yarmouth and Norwich area but the county as a whole. He was a great example of teaching sportsmanship and respect through his beloved game. He was also a great example of playing fair and hard, playing man to man-defence, getting back on defence never putting your head down on missing a shot or losing the ball. Just chase the ball and get it back! And if I may say anyone who says that you have to be tall to play basketball. I say well you never met Jim West. He always wanted to help make us be better players by actually doing it. Showing and teaching by example. He had the fastest hands and passing! His eyes never gave away where the next pass was going to. And he taught a key factor. Always keep moving! I am still playing at the age of 48 because of him and of his grounding in the game in my early years. Things he taught do not leave you. I think I can speak for many too that had the privilege of knowing and being coached by him. To this great man I say a warm heartfelt thank you from myself and my family. And to all those that knew him `Lets keep playing for Jim‘.
Gary Whittaker | Linz, Austria - June 2022
I was thinking of Jim just last week when I passed on some rebounding tips to a student, the same tips he had given to me. He was full of little nuggets and gems, he knew when to say and how to make it stick. That was probably 30 years ago. So as with all, I was gutted to hear of his passing. I was playing with PCC gunners and general drill hall sessions 3 times a week in the glory days of the mid 90’s, he was always there to open up and close, to encourage us and to tell us behave. I appreciate every single time he did that, the hours he spent there and all the words of wisdom we heard. “Rest on offence if your tired” along with no dunking! Thanks for being a positive influence in mine and many of my friends lives, basketball was our lives as teenagers and you helped that happen. Rest peacefully.
John Hodds | Norwich - June 2022
Basketball was a huge part of my life for a long time including while I was at UEA 79-82 when Jim was the coach of the ladies team. He went out of his way to help all the players, many of whom had not played the game before, teaching us skills and plays, running sessions, booking slots for pick-up games, even lending me his car so we could get to games if he was working. He had a job in the sports centre for some of the time I was there and I would often pop in for a chat on the way to and from lectures. We did keep in touch after uni on and off, and I'm so glad I caught up with him in 2019 the last time I was in the UK. I maybe hadn't realised what an enormous influence he's been in the Great Yarmouth area through his love of basketball and genuine care of those around him until reading the comments here. He most certainly touched many lives and will be very much missed. Love to Cathy & family. RIP Jim xxx
Oz Aldridge | Nelson, New Zealand - June 2022
Jim was a great coach, huge influence and an all round great man, I remember fondly many training sessions and matches during the 1980’s and 90’s, he was hugely competitive, generous, strict but fair and kind to all he met.
John Young | Great Yarmouth - June 2022
So sad to hear this news whilst looking through the site . I met Jim at the Drill hall when I attended a session for the first time in the late 90s . I went to the club for a few years and got to know him well . We would often bike part of the way home together after practice. Jim was a gentleman and super fit . His passion for the game and for teaching others was inspirational. His club gave a home to many ballers who would overwise be stuck indoors out of the wind and rain with no where to play . Thank you Jim for all you have done for basketball in our community. You will be sadly missed. Rest in peace my friend .
Andrew Old | Gorleston-on-Sea - June 2022
The legend Jim West kept me off the streets from a young age and taught me how to play the game right, not just hogging the ball ‘pass the ball Gary’ he would shout at me from the sideline. I’ll never forget when he put the sticker on the backboard “No Dunking” laughing my head off I said Jim I going to do it you know it and when I finally did I got my ban ‘that’s a week’ I can still hear his voice in my head saying it was so funny at the time. Will never forget Jim I worked on his house and he got me work at the college much respect to Jim West I owe him a lot RIP my man.
Gary Martin | Caister-on-Sea - Dec 2022
Jim circa 1984, around the time he met his wife Cathy.
