Sun Life HK and Beyond Sport revive basketball court in Fanling

Sun Life Hong Kong has partnered with the global sport for social change foundation Beyond Sport to unveil the newly refurbished Wah Sum Shopping Centre rooftop basketball court in Fanling to promote healthy communities.

This comes as part of a broader HK$5.7 million “Hoops + Health” programme between the two partners to promote physical activity and healthier lifestyles among underprivileged youth across Asia.

In a conversation with MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, Irene Ho, chief marketing officer of Sun Life Hong Kong, said the objective of the partnership is to use basketball as a tool for social change to promote physical activity and healthier lifestyles among youth across Asia, targeting underprivileged and underrepresented youth in the regions. 

The refurbishment in Hong Kong is part of the philanthropy partnership in Asia. The programme runs across six locations in Asia, including Hong Kong, Depok (Indonesia), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Laguna (Philippines), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Singapore, and aims to impact 10,000 lives.

This time, the Hong Kong investment continues Sun Life’s dedication to community engagement and elevating basketball as a platform for youth development.

This month, the court re-opens for the local community and residents to use free of charge. Sun Life’s local partner, People’s Place, a community shopping centre brand under the management of Gaw Capital, will manage and maintain the site for the residents.

As one of the People’s Place’s “Home Courts” series, the Wah Sum Basketball Court underwent a comprehensive renovation to enhance its accessibility and functionality and now features a vibrant multi-colour design.

The refurbishment included surface repair and painting, as well as the installation of new backboards, hoops and nets. Situated in the heart of Fanling, it is poised to become a hub for recreational activity and community gatherings in the mixed-income residential neighbourhood.

The court will serve as a vital free-to-use resource for nearby schools and NGO groups, including the local public estate basketball team and the Wah Sum Snipers, enabling the broader community to engage in sports activities and events.

In addition to the physical refurbishment, Beyond Sport’s regional Hoops + Health Coach Education Partner, ASA Foundation, will conduct a coach education workshop in June, training more basketball coaches to support their youth development work.

The workshop will enhance skills and knowledge in using basketball as a tool to promote health and well-being, enhancing the skills and knowledge of the coaches.

Looking ahead, a series of basketball sessions for youth under 18 will be organised at the court starting from early July. These sessions will be tailored to cater to the needs of different groups of people, including low-income or underprivileged families, girls and young people with disabilities.

To expand the reach of the campaign, it is amplified via official opening events with members from the local communities in some markets. Meanwhile,  the campaign have organised "build days" with employees, partners, and members of the community. Social and traditional media are also leveraged. 

Ho said, “We are delighted to revitalise Fanling’s old basketball court into a lively and vibrant space that inspires individuals of all ages to embrace an active lifestyle.

“We are devoted to nurturing the next generations, providing local communities and youth with more space for activities. This can encourage them to have an active, healthy and positive lifestyle,” added Ho. “Basketball is one of the world’s most popular sports, and it is beneficial to the public’s physical and mental health development.”

Alvin Lo, managing director of asset management (mainland China & Hong Kong) of Gaw Capital, said, “People’s Place under the management of Gaw Capital is honoured to work with Sun Life and Beyond Sport to build a healthy community, using creativity to renovate Wah Sum Basketball Court and inject vitality into Wah Sum Shopping Centre.”

“We are very much looking forward to the upcoming coach education workshop and a series of youth basketball activities, which will demonstrate our pioneering efforts in promoting a healthy lifestyle through different means, using sports to unite the community,” added Lo.

Adam Burgess, director of programmes at Beyond Sport, said, “We are thrilled to unveil the refurbished Hoops + Health basketball court at Wah Sum Shopping Centre in Fanling in partnership with Sun Life, marking another significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to use sport to create positive social change.”

“This dynamic court is now ready to stand as a community hub for people of all ages and abilities. We are so excited to see the long-term use of this safer and more accessible place to play," he added.

Don’t miss: Sun Life HK promotes healthy lifestyles with Dragon Boat championships sponsorship

Sun Life’s investment in the programme aligns with its broader initiatives in Hong Kong, including sponsorship of large-scale community events. Back in May 2024, Sun Life Hong Kong continued its sponsorship of this year’s “Sun Life Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships” to promote healthy lifestyles.

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