Sun Life & Beyond Sport Get Kids Across Asia Active with Hoops + Health
September 6, 2024
The "Hoops + Health" program – an initiative of leading Canadian financial services company Sun Life in partnership with Beyond Sport – is supporting coach development and youth physical and mental wellness across Asia. Today, we’re pleased to share the 2024 Impact Report and program video that details collective work to inspire healthy living among youth and foster healthier communities through basketball and education across six Asian locations.
Over the last six months, Hoops + Health touched down in Hong Kong, Depok (Indonesia), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Laguna (Philippines), Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), refurbishing basketball courts, offering free-to-access basketball sessions and hosting skill-based training for local coaches.
A 2022 Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance report sponsored by Sun Life, shared the alarming fact that fewer than 20% of children aged 6-17 were achieving at least an average of 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity across the week. And, across Asia, there are high levels of youth inactivity, contributing to diseases such as diabetes and obesity. In response, Hoops+ Health launched in September 2023 to encourage young people to be more physically active and lead healthier lives through basketball – with a special focus on engaging marginalized youth.
"Sport is not only a fantastic way to stay active and healthy, but it also imparts valuable life skills that extend beyond the court. However, the ability to access these benefits hinges on the availability of proper coaching infrastructure and facilities. The collaborative Hoops + Health program is dedicated to empowering local communities through sport, providing children and adults with safe and functional spaces for learning and development," said Fred Turner, Executive Director for Beyond Sport.
In 2024, the program has positively impacted six communities providing access to renovated basketball courts, coach education workshops led by regional Hoops + Health Coach Education Partner, ASA Foundation, and grants to deliver health-focused basketball activities. So far, five courts have been refurbished and 85 coaches have been trained through health-focused basketball workshops, impacting over 14,000 lives. Sun Life raised $1 million CAD to support the initiative.
"At Sun Life, we recognize the vital role that sport plays in keeping young people active, healthy and engaged. Our Hoops + Health program is all about creating spaces where everyone, from complete beginners to aspiring athletes, can access coaching and training," said David Broom, Chief Client and Distribution Officer at Sun Life Asia. "The results from the program have been truly inspiring. We hope these revitalized basketball courts will continue to be the beating heart of these local neighborhoods as we make positive strides towards nurturing a healthier, more active generation in Asia.”
In Fanling, Hong Kong, the Wah Sum Shopping Center’s rooftop basketball court was revitalized, now serving as a safe space for locals to play. The Center is a beacon for the local community and families on housing support. To amplify the program’s reach, we partnered with local non-profit, InspiringHK Sports Foundation to offer free youth basketball sessions tailored to the needs of various groups, including low-income and underprivileged families. Over eight weeks, coaches from the Foundation have conducted bi-weekly sessions, focusing on improving basketball skills and educating on the importance of physical health and wellbeing. Thanks to Hoops + Health, over 300 community members have access to a safer space to be active, supporting over 766 young people in Hong Kong.
In Depok, Indonesia, a refurbished multi-sport space is now a source of communal pride. It offers a free space for youth and families to engage in sports activities, including basketball, volleyball, fitness and football. Coach education workshops took place in June to enhance basketball skills and tools for promoting good health and wellbeing. Because of the program, over 600 people from the local community now access a safe space to be active. The local residents’ committee has also been supported to implement a range of new processes to improve the management of the court, including a court booking system to raise funds for annual maintenance that will ensure the court is sustained long into the future.
“Connection and community are at the heart of the Hoops + Health program,” said Adam Burgess, Beyond Sport's Director of Programs. “Refurbishing a court is one thing, but creating a space for collaboration will build relationships, increase local pride in the court and ensure community ownership of the renovated space on the journey to promoting healthy living.”
In Singapore, the program has made strides with the local Heart of Basketball youth group that champions greater access to basketball for girls. Over three months, we provided free basketball sessions specifically aimed at empowering girls and young women. 11 coaches at the club also took part in education workshops emphasizing the importance of physical and mental wellbeing, which resulted in 91% of attendees feeling confident in their ability to immediately put the activities they learned into practice. Additionally, a group of coaches received a specialized Hoops + Health toolkit offering practical knowledge and activity ideas to supplement their work. To highlight the participants’ achievements, a 3x3 girls' basketball tournament was held on May 31 to showcase the talents of the young girls and the unifying power of basketball in promoting healthier lifestyles.
In the Philippines' Calauan, Laguna province, Sun Life and Beyond Sport helped transform a basketball court that is supporting more than 400 community members to lead healthier lives. Additionally, 12 weeks of free basketball sessions took place to help break down barriers to movement and local coaches were upskilled through workshops focused on how to better support young people through basketball. After learning about nutrition, physical activity and protecting mental wellbeing, the coaches will develop a basketball program to engage the local youth.
Managed by the local Residents’ Association, Beyond Sport also guided the community in revenue-generating strategies to sustain the court. This includes charging booking fees and renting out the space so that funds raised can help broaden impact.
In Kuala Ampang, Malaysia, the revitalized court is supporting close to 1,300 young people with a safer, more accessible space to be active in collaboration with the local Residents' Association. The court’s reopening on May 23 featured Sun Life Malaysia employees and local youth celebrating with a friendly basketball match and traditional Lion Dance festivities. We also supported the local community in how to maintain the court and generate funds for its upkeep. Community sports clubs have the ability to book out the court on a weekly basis.
Jason Chan, President of the Residents' Association of Kuala Ampang, shared, “With the refurbishment, the court now looks bright, vibrant, and more importantly, it serves as a safe space to attract more young talent in the Kuala Ampang neighborhood and surrounding areas to engage in sports. We would like to thank Sun Life for their contribution towards this community project.”
In Vietnam, Sun Life and Beyond Sport joined forces with professional basketball club, Saigon Heat, to open a transformed community court at the Heat's sports facility in Ho Chi Minh City. Supporting over 3000 local youth, the facility offers regular community activities encouraging youth to embrace sports. Local girls also participated in basketball sessions focused on improving skills and overall wellbeing.
The refurbishment culminated in a celebratory inauguration with Sun Life Vietnam employees and the Saigon Heat community in attendance. The event opened with a display from youth basketball players and a unique court-opening moment showcasing the power of basketball in fostering healthier communities across Vietnam.
As one of the largest public companies in Canada, Sun Life serves millions in Canada, the US, Asia, the UK and other parts of the world with a goal to help its clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives.
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