FASTISIGNS designed a plaque celebrating the achievements of gold-medal winning basketball player, Myles Hesson, a local sports star from Hamstead in Birmingham
A Birmingham signage company has helped Basketball England unveil a plaque for a local sports star in Hamstead.
The plaque, which was unveiled at the newly refurbished basketball court at Hamstead Playing Fields, was created by FASTSIGNS Birmingham to celebrate the achievements of basketballer, Myles Hesson.
Hesson, a native of Hamstead who played on the court during his youth, starred in one of the most-watched moments of the Commonwealth Games in 2022. He scored the winning basket in overtime for England to win gold in the 3 x 3 competition, beating Australia.
The project first came about when Orlan Jackman, 2022 Commonwealth gold medallist and teammate of Myles, approached FASTSIGNS Birmingham to design and install a plaque for the basketball court.
Jackman had recognised the effect that Hesson’s success has had on the local community since the conclusion of the games and hoped that the plaque could act as further inspiration.
The 1m x 1m plaque created by FASTSIGNS features a commemorative message, designed to memorialise Hesson’s impact on the community. In order for it to withstand outdoor conditions and general wear and tear, the plaque was created using flat cut aluminium, overlaid with cut vinyl letters, and mounted to the fence using a stainless-steel channel.
The installation of the plaque was part of wider renovations of the courts. The plaque was unveiled by Jackman in front of an audience that included Myles and his family, alongside representatives from Basketball England, Sport England, National Lottery, and Birmingham City Council.
Speaking of his reaction to the renovations, Myles Hesson, gold medallist with Basketball England, says: “I spent countless hours playing basketball at this court as a child, either by myself or with friends.
“Seeing it restored and revamped in this way means the world to me. The renovation is not just a recognition of what my teammates and I were able to achieve, but it’s a commitment to the next generation and the community in which I come from.”
Hesson goes on to thank all those who took part including FASTSIGNS, adding: “I want to say a huge thank you to Basketball England, Sport England, and the National Lottery, as well as Birmingham City Council for making it happen, and to FASTSIGNS Birmingham for the commemorative plaque.”
Tom Gilpin, owner of FASTSIGNS Birmingham, comments: “This plaque is not just about honouring Myles’ remarkable achievements, but also about ensuring that future generations have a space to enjoy and be inspired.
“The durability and design of the plaque reflect our ongoing commitment to providing long-lasting, impactful solutions for communities like Handsworth.”
