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Three years ago, Sun Life and Beyond Sport came together around a shared belief: that basketball can be a catalyst for healthier lives and stronger communities. That belief became Hoops + Health, a partnership designed to address rising levels of physical inactivity among young people across Asia through sport, health education and local community engagement.
Launched in 2023, Hoops + Health encompassed programming in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam. The program impacted approximately 88,000 people through community basketball sessions, coach education, festivals, school-based programming and community partnerships. Over three years, Sun Life and Beyond Sport supported 17 community organizations and invested more than $3,173,700 in initiatives that helped more young people access opportunities to be active.
“Hoops + Health has shown how sport can help create healthier lives and stronger communities. I’m proud of the young people who discovered a love of sport, the coaches who gained skills to support the next generation and the communities that now have safer, more accessible places to be active. We are proud of the lasting impact this partnership has made possible and grateful to everyone who helped bring it to life across the region.”
– David Broom, Chief Client and Distribution Officer, Asia, Sun Life
“One of the most rewarding parts of Hoops + Health has been seeing how the communities we worked in made the program their own. Across six markets, local organizations, coaches and young people brought different perspectives, ideas and strengths to the work. That’s what allowed the program to grow in ways that felt meaningful and relevant in each community.”
– Fred Fikouhi-Turner, Executive Director, Beyond Sport
Hoops + Health was centered around three pillars: improving access to physical activity, inspiring young people to be more active and engaging local communities, coaches and Sun Life employees.
Building Access
The steps we took to build access looked different across the markets.
In Hong Kong, Hoops + Health helped refurbish two basketball courts, creating a safer and more welcoming place for local residents to be active. One of the courts reopened during a community basketball festival in April 2026 and continues to serve as a hub for local activity.
In the Philippines, the BP Thai Court in Taguig City was renovated and relaunched through a large-scale community activation designed to create a long-term resource for young people and their families.
Across the region, court improvements were paired with basketball equipment donations, community programming and free-to-access sessions delivered by local partners. Over three years, Hoops + Health has renovated or maintained 12 courts across six markets, benefiting more than 10,000 community members.
Those organizations found that the investment helped them reach new participants as well. 80% reported being able to provide access to young people they would not otherwise have been able to engage without Hoops + Health’s support.
From Participation to Healthy Habits
Through weekly basketball sessions, health-focused programming and community events, Hoops + Health created regular opportunities for young people to build movement into their daily lives.
Across the program, 98% of participating young people reported having more opportunities to be physically active than before joining the sessions. 97% reported learning new strategies to improve their health through participation.
In Indonesia, every surveyed participant reported learning about healthy eating and the importance of hydration through the basketball sessions they attended. More than 100 youth sessions were delivered by ASA Foundation, Omnia Basketball Club and Flamingos Basketball, creating structured opportunities to be active both in schools and community settings.
One participant, 15-year-old Husna, described the changes she experienced through the program:
“I used to rarely exercise, but now that I train regularly and receive support from my friends, I have become more disciplined, brave and confident. I’ve also improved my basketball skills and learned the importance of warming up and maintaining a healthy diet.”
In Vietnam, 10-year-old Vu Thu Hien first joined Hoops + Health in 2025 and returned the following year. Through school-based programming delivered through partner Saigon Heat, she developed a passion for the sport while building friendships and staying active alongside her studies.
As local program leaders reflected:
“Her parents are proud to see her embracing a healthier, more balanced lifestyle. For Hien, Hoops + Health is more than a sports program. It’s a place where she finds joy, friendship, and a lasting love for the game.”
Engaging Local Communities, Coaches and Sun Life Employees
From the start, Hoops + Health invested in local organizations and community coaches, recognizing their role in creating environments where young people could thrive.
Coach education became an increasingly important part of the model over the program’s three years. In 2026, that work expanded with the launch of a new online coaching series available in four languages. Over 280 coaches engaged with the platform across the region, while 96% reported finding the content valuable and more than eight in ten awarded the training five-star ratings.
At the local level, organizations continued to adapt the program to their communities.
In Malaysia, delivery centered around long-term community basketball hubs supported by Jungle Cats Basketball, Nicol David Organisation and USJ20 Basketball Club. Weekly sessions gave young people consistent opportunities to play while large-scale festivals expanded participation beyond regular attendees. More than 300 young people participated in weekly programming, and 97% reported learning about healthy eating and hydration through their involvement.
In Singapore, basketball sessions were embedded within existing youth services delivered through organizations such as Heart of Basketball, Life Community Services Society and Youth Guidance Outreach Services. Rather than creating a standalone program, basketball became part of broader support structures already serving young people.
Community events also played a growing role. In 2026, seven community basketball festivals brought together more than 8,300 youth and community participants from 15 partner organizations and 17 schools, alongside more than 130 Sun Life employees.
What Lasting Impact Looks Like
Over time, the three pillars became increasingly interconnected.
Court improvements created places to gather. Equipment donations helped organizations expand their reach. Weekly sessions introduced young people to healthier routines. Coaches and community leaders helped sustain those experiences week after week. Community events brought everyone together.
Project implementation varied by country, but one element that remained universal was that local communities shaped target approaches in each based on their specific needs.
Hong Kong focused on community infrastructure and grassroots participation. Indonesia combined school-based delivery with a strong emphasis on girls’ participation. Malaysia built long-term community hubs. The Philippines paired local programming with high-visibility court activations. Singapore worked through existing youth support networks. Vietnam partnered with schools and Saigon Heat to reach young people at scale.
Throughout that work, local organizations remained at the center.
As Indonesia’s ASA Foundation reflected:
“The Hoops + Health program has demonstrated the power of basketball to inspire confidence, strengthen life skills, and create safe spaces where girls can thrive. We are proud to see participants growing not only as athletes, but as confident young leaders who are empowered to make positive choices for themselves and their communities.”
Explore the Full Impact Report
The 2026 Hoops + Health Impact Report takes a deeper look at the people, organizations and communities behind the program, as well as the results achieved across the region across three years of partnership.
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