Hoops + Health - Beyond Sport

Healthier Lives For Youth in Asia Through Basketball

Young children and adolescents are facing serious health issues across Asia due to low levels of activity and sedentary behavior. Many marginalized youth in the region face a simple barrier: having a safe space to move and play.

Basketball, one of the world’s most popular sports, offers numerous benefits for healthy development. The fast-paced game incorporates strength, speed and coordination, is widely accessible and has low barriers to entry. That makes it an ideal platform to support long-term wellness behaviors and teach life skills such as teamwork and focus.

Inspiring young people to play

In 2023, leading financial services company, Sun Life, partnered with Beyond Sport to launch the “Hoops + Health” program to help Asian youth live more active lives.

With a goal to positively impact thousands of young people, the regional community program operates in Laguna (Philippines), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Depok (Indonesia) and Singapore.

In five of the regions, Hoops + Health revitalized basketball courts in underprivileged areas resulting in state-of-the-art spaces that are free-to-access for the community.

The program also offers targeted coaches training that is leading to improved physical activity levels and mental wellness. Workshops and youth clinics led by local partners are supporting learning through play and fostering a sense of connection.

THE PROBLEM

Across Asia, high levels of physical inactivity and sedentary behavior among children and adolescents has led to serious health issues, according to the 2022 Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance report sponsored by Sun Life:

Low activity levels are contributing to high rates of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, mental health challenges and other damaging outcomes.
Hong Kong and Malaysia were given a grade D- in overall physical activity.
Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam received a grade of F, indicating fewer than 20% of children ages 6 to 17 are getting an average of 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity during a week.

HOW IT WORKS

Hoops + Health uses a collaborative community-based approach that provides safe and accessible spaces that are vibrant and inviting for physical activity. The initiative also engages a regional partner, ASA Foundation, to educate coaches on using basketball to address specific health issues.

In-person training workshops are helping coaches use sport to teach young people vital health and wellness topics such as nutrition, the benefits of exercise and mental wellbeing. Free youth basketball sessions are also inspiring kids to live more active lives and nurturing a sense of community.

Sun Life invested $1 million CAD to launch Hoops + Health. Beyond Sport and Sun Life are committed to growing the program to reach even more young people across Asia.

Success Story in the Philippines

In February 2024, a refurbished basketball court opened in the Legacy of Light Village in Calauan, Laguna province.

The space in the Philippines was transformed with fresh coats of paint, upgraded facilities and a durable tiled surface. Families, young adults and youth came out to shoot hoops on the new court which has become a hub for sports and cultural activities.

Young people enjoyed three months of free basketball sessions and local coaches are now equipped to use basketball as a catalyst for overall health and wellbeing.

Success Story in Vietnam

In April 2024, Sun Life and Beyond Sport joined with the professional Saigon Heat Basketball Club to open a transformed community court in the Heat’s sport facility in Ho Chi Minh City.

The launch followed the “High Hoop Basketball” program for 8 to 13-year olds delivered by Saigon Heat and Sun Life. This initiative attracted more than 1,500 participants across Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Vinh and Hanoi. Children had the chance to improve their basketball skills under the guidance of Saigon Heat coaches and players.

The revitalized space now offers regular community activities to encourage youth to embrace sport, including a special series for girls.

Success Story in Indonesia

In the bustling community of Tanah Baru in the densely populated city of Depok – 25 km south of Jakarta – our refurbished multi-sports space has become a great source of pride.

In May 2024, local community members and Sun Life Indonesia employees came together to lay tiles for a new playing area, paint the facility and plant trees for shade, creating a stunning new space.

This open-access court serves as the only free-to-use recreational space in the area, catering to around 1,500 households. The refurbishment also included painting futsal and volleyball lines to support multi-sport use, making the facility more versatile and enjoyable.

In addition to the physical refurbishment, regional education partner ASA Foundation held a coach education workshop in June to enhance skills and knowledge in using basketball to promote fitness and youth wellbeing. A series of free, weekly youth basketball sessions began shortly after, enabling the coaches to apply their learnings.

Success Story in Hong Kong

In collaboration with community shopping brand, “People’s Place,” the Wah Sum Shopping Center rooftop now features a vibrant new multi-color basketball court freely accessible to residents.

Situated in the heart of Fanling, it is a center for recreation and community gatherings, serving nearby schools, NGO groups and the local public estate basketball team, the Wah Sum Snipers.

We also partnered with local nonprofit InspiringHK Sports Foundation to offer complimentary youth basketball sessions. Over eight weeks, its coaches held bi-weekly activities to hone basketball skills and teach valuable lessons on healthy living. Ongoing sessions will be organized on the court, catering to diverse groups, including low-income families, girls and young people with disabilities.

Success Story in Singapore

In collaboration with Heart of Basketball (HOB), which runs indoor and outdoor youth basketball programs, we are seeing great strides to increase girls’ access to sport and their confidence.

Equipped with insights from the Hoops + Health Coach Education Workshop held in March 2024, HOB coaches are engaging young athletes in new ways that emphasize the importance of physical and mental health.

In May 2024, a 3×3 Girls Basketball Tournament was held at the Kampong Ubi Community Centre, Singapore to celebrate the progress and achievements of Hoops + Health youth participants. Sun Life employees joined in support, enjoying the opportunity to witness the talented girls in action.

Success story in Malaysia

In May 2024, the Kuala Ampang Basketball Court in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, was unveiled with a fresh new look, lighting to allow for evening play and seating for the community to watch games.

Sun Life Malaysia executives and employees, Kuala Ampang residents and local basketball coaches and players attended the court opening where it was clear to see the joy among local youth.

In collaboration with the local Residents’ Association, the court has transformed into a safe and dynamic new place for activities for all ages while also generating income to support its upkeep. Community sport clubs can book out the court on a weekly basis, and a dedicated staff is keeping it well maintained.