Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles Through Hoops: Sun Life’s Second Year of Hoops + Health Program
HONG KONG, Sept. 17, 2025 — In an impressive continuation of its community engagement efforts, Sun Life, collaborating with the global foundation Beyond Sport, has concluded its second year of the Hoops + Health program. This initiative, dedicated to fostering healthier lifestyles among the youth, has successfully made a profound impact, engaging 42,000 lives across Asia this year alone. This brings the total number of beneficiaries to over 48,000.
The Vision Behind Hoops + Health
Launched in September 2023, the Hoops + Health program focuses on combating rising physical inactivity levels among young people in various Asian regions. By promoting basketball, the program has effectively provided avenues for physical activity among the youth in six markets: Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Singapore. Each market enjoys tailored local initiatives designed to foster community engagement and maximize impact.
Unprecedented Surge in Participation
The second year of the Hoops + Health program witnessed a staggering 250% increase in youth participation compared to 2024. The program not only attracted young athletes to the sport but also inspired them. A remarkable 87% of participants reported that they had greater opportunities to engage in physical activities due to the free basketball sessions provided. This overwhelming response underscores the program’s effectiveness in encouraging active lifestyles among young people.
Empowering Coaches and Quality Resources
A backbone of the program’s success lies in empowering the coaches who guide these young athletes. The initiative saw a substantial 103% increase in the number of upskilled coaches during its second year. An impressive 94% of these coaches acknowledged that the skills acquired in workshops would positively influence the youth they train. Furthermore, the program has enhanced the quality of resources available to young players, providing access to higher-quality basketball equipment for nearly 17,700 participants.
Participant Spotlight: Shanelle Lim’s Journey
Shanelle Lim, a standout participant from Singapore, exemplifies the personal growth that the Hoops + Health program fosters. Initially seeking a space to play basketball, Shanelle found the program to be transformative. “It turned out to be so much more than just basketball,” she shared. “It helped me improve my skills on the court and taught me about health, teamwork, and self-confidence.” Now interning as a coach, she relishes the opportunity to give back to her community by sharing the invaluable lessons learned through the program.
Increasing Investment for Greater Impact
Reflecting a commitment to combat rising physical inactivity, Sun Life has increased investment in the program from 1 million CAD to 1.5 million CAD in its second year. These funds drive impact in three key areas: enhancing access to physical activity in underprivileged regions, engaging local communities through events and workshops, and inspiring youth to embrace active lifestyles via regular basketball sessions.
Voices from the Leadership
David Broom, Chief Client and Distribution Officer at Sun Life Asia, expressed pride in the program’s development. “Hearing stories from those involved who are now giving back to their communities illustrates the true impact of what we’re doing,” he noted. “At Sun Life, we are dedicated to investing in communities and empowering the next generation to get active.”
Echoing this sentiment, Fred Fikouhi-Turner, Executive Director at Beyond Sport, highlighted the growing number of active youth engaging with the program. “Through expanded youth programming and educational training, Hoops + Health is reaching more communities across Asia,” he remarked, emphasizing the program’s role in equipping young people with essential health and wellness skills.
Further Insights Available
For those intrigued by the specifics and outcomes of the Hoops + Health initiative, the full impact report can be accessed here.
About Sun Life and Beyond Sport
Sun Life is a prominent international financial services organization committed to providing a range of health and wealth solutions. It serves clients across multiple markets, managing over 1.54 trillion CAD in assets. Collaborating with organizations like Beyond Sport, which champions the transformative power of sports, reinforces Sun Life’s efforts toward social change and community empowerment.
This partnership has proven crucial in creating positive, lasting changes within communities, demonstrating how sports can act as a catalyst for healthy living and social equity. For more information about the Hoops + Health program, visit beyondsport.org/hoops-health.