THE Kendal Warriors basketball are on the warpath to promote the sport in the Lake District.

The Warriors are concerned that few people know of their existence.

So much so they have begun a publicity drive aimed at drumming up awareness while at the same time promoting the sport's growth to the local community.

Warriors coach Matt Purbrick, who studied for a sports studies degree at Wolverhampton University before moving north 20 months ago, explained: "I picked my first basketball up at the age of five and have been hooked ever since.

"While I was in Telford I played in Birmingham-based leagues, where you can imagine the sport is huge.

"When I moved to the Lake District I obviously wished to carry on the sport and sought out any local team, but to no avail."

By chance he met Mike Smith, who ran a basketball training session on Monday nights at Kendal Leisure Centre, consisting of 20 or so enthusiasts playing streetball version of the sport for two hours.

From there, the team began competing in a basketball mini-league based at Hoops Basketball Centre at Thorncliffe School in Barrow on Thursday evenings.

Matt was asked to lead organised coaching on Mondays at the Leisure Centre and the team went 18 weeks unbeaten.

The initiative to act and look the part has seen the team name themselves "The Kendal Warriors" and each team member has paid towards its first-ever team kit.

However, Matt, who was recently voted in as chairman of the Barrow league, says: "People still don't really know who were are and that there is an opportunity to play basketball in the Lakes.

"Numbers have been dwindling recently with people going to Uni etc and we are constantly running the team at a loss," he added.

The Warriors are looking for sponsors to help with costs and plan to hold a fund-raising 24-hour basketball marathon in Barrow this spring.

"All these things can have a positive effect, but basketball needs support from the local community."

He invited approaches from any individuals or teams, including those at high schools, wanting to play organised basketball (you can contact Matt on 07944 422320 or Mike Smith on 07789 816392).