Modern Australian

Sun Life & Beyond Sport promote healthy communities with the opening of basketball court in Wah Sum, Fanling, Hong Kong – part of "Hoops + Health" program

The revitalized court and upcoming coach education workshop is the latest in a six-country series to promote physical activity and mental health for Asian youth

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 3 June 2024 - Sun Life in partnership with global sport for social change foundation Beyond Sport, is excited to announce the opening of the newly refurbished Wah Sum Shopping Center rooftop basketball court in Fanling, the Northern district of Hong Kong.

The refurbishment is part of a broader HK$5.7 million "Hoops + Health" program between the two partners to promote physical activity and healthier lifestyles among underprivileged youth across Asia. After successful court openings in Laguna, the Philippines (February 2024), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (April 2024), and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (May 2024) the Hong Kong investment continues Sun Life's dedication to community engagement and elevating basketball as a platform for youth development.

Sun Life in partnership with Beyond Sport announce the opening of the newly refurbished Wah Sum Basketball Court in Fanling, the Northern district of Hong Kong.
Sun Life in partnership with Beyond Sport announce the opening of the newly refurbished Wah Sum Basketball Court in Fanling, the Northern district of Hong Kong.

In June, the court re-opens for the local community and residents to use free of charge. Our local partner, People's Place, a community shopping centre brand under the management of Gaw Capital, who actively promote the integration of sports, art and community through user-driven design, will manage and maintain the site for the residents.

The Wah Sum Basketball Court, one of the People's Place's "Home Courts" Series, underwent a comprehensive renovation to enhance its accessibility and functionality and now features a vibrant multi-color 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 neighborhood. It will serve as a vital free-to-use resource for nearby schools and NGO groups, including the local public estate basketball team, the Wah Sum Snipers, enabling the broader community to engage in sports activities and events.

Irene Ho, Chief Marketing Officer of Sun Life Hong Kong Limited, said, "We are delighted to revitalize 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. 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, expressed that "Peoples' Place under the management of Gaw Capital is honored 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."

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 organized at the court 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. Sun Life will continue to promote active and healthy lifestyles and build a healthy and inclusive community.

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."

Sun Life's investment in the program aligns with its broader initiatives in Hong Kong, including sponsorship of large-scale community events such as Sun Life Stanley International Dragon Boat Champions and themed fun runs. As the base for Sun Life's Asian regional team, Hong Kong serves as a strategic hub for driving positive change and fostering meaningful connections within the community.

Hashtag: #SunLife永明 #Hoops+Health #SunLife #華心商場 #粉嶺 #FanLing #WahSumShoppingCenter #BeyondSport

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Sun Life

Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, Mainland China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of March 31, 2024, Sun Life had total assets under management of $1.47 trillion. For more information, please visit .

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

About Beyond Sport

invests in organizations, programs and networks using sport to positively impact communities globally. Since 2008, the global foundation has provided over $9.5 million in grants to 384 initiatives across 75 countries in addition to in-depth capacity building support. Learn more about their partnership with Sun Life on the "" program across Asia.

About Gaw Capital People’s Place

"People's Place", under the management of Gaw Capital Partners, has begun to operate 29 community shopping centers in Hong Kong since March 2018. People's Place has creatively revitalized multiple community shopping centres and facilities, offering a diverse mix of retail options and restaurants, installing crucial public facilities, developing distinctive wet markets, and elevating traditional basketball courts to stylish sports hubs.

Our revitalized projects have added values to people's day-to-day lives. With the creative refurbishments that both embrace the local vibe and foster community bonding, we have successfully created unique and vibrant community hubs that engage the youth, adults, and elderly.

Your Baby's First Year: A Local Guide to Feeding, Sleep, and When to Get Extra Support

Ask ten parents in a Brisbane mothers' group how their baby is feeding or sleeping, and expect ten different answers.  Someone's baby sleeps throug...

Kitchen and Laundry Makeover Ideas That Don't Require a Full Renovation

Full kitchen renos are expensive — and most people don't actually need one.  They need the kitchen to stop looking like it's stuck in 2009, or they...

How Technology Is Reshaping the Modern Australian Commercial Kitchen

The commercial kitchen has always been shaped by technology. Refrigeration changed how ingredients could be stored, modern ventilation transformed k...

The Number on a Roller Blind Fabric That Nobody Explains

Somewhere in the fabric book, next to the colour name, there is a percentage. Three per cent. Five per cent. Ten per cent. Nobody explains it, most c...

What’s Trending in Men’s Jewellery This Father’s Day!

Finding a Father’s Day gift that feels personal, stylish and genuinely wearable is not always easy. While socks and novelty mugs have traditionally ...

Road Signs: Understanding Their Role in Clear and Effective Signage

Effective signage and display hardware can help businesses communicate information, promote products and organise customer or visitor movement. Road...

Bottle Label Printing: Key Factors to Consider Before Your Next Packaging Run

Effective packaging begins with understanding the product, bottle material, artwork and production requirements when planning bottle label printing. H...

Planning a Long-Distance Move With Interstate Movers Melbourne

Moving between states involves more planning than a typical local relocation. Along with packing and transporting household belongings, you need to...

Understanding the Role of an I/O Controller in Industrial Automation

Modern industrial systems depend on accurate communication between sensors, machines and control systems. An I/O controller can help manage this commu...

How the Right Mining Hose Supports Demanding Operations

Mining environments place considerable demands on equipment used for material transfer, water management and processing. Hoses operating in these co...

Simple Ideas for Making Social Gatherings More Memorable

We have all been to those parties where everyone just stands around the kitchen island, staring at their phones, waiting for someone else to make a mo...

Outdoor Wall Lights: Improving Exterior Lighting Around Your Home

Lighting can influence how a room looks, feels and functions, so the right fitting should be selected according to both appearance and practical req...

Commercial Office Cleaning: Combining Routine Office Cleaning With Melbourne Service

Keeping a workplace clean requires a service that can accommodate everyday tasks as well as the particular needs of the business. Professional comme...

Caravan Sales in Queensland: How to Find the Right Caravan for Sale QLD

Caravan ownership is about more than having somewhere to sleep while travelling. For many Queenslanders, it is one of the best ways to explore regio...

What Sir Walter Buffalo Turf Actually Costs in 2026 (And Why Quotes Vary So Much)

Two quotes landed on a Hills District homeowner's kitchen table last spring for the exact same 80-square-metre backyard. One said $12 a metre. The o...

Nearly 1,300 NSW Hospital Beds Are Occupied By People Who Are Ready To Go Home

1,276 people in NSW hospitals have been medically cleared for discharge but remain in hospital because they're still waiting for NDIS or aged care sup...

National Survey Launched to Measure Operational Impacts of Federal NDIS Policy Reforms

The effects of recent NDIS reforms are beginning to move beyond policy papers and into day to day service delivery. A new national survey is asking ...

Beyond the Nappy Cake: Baby Shower Gifts That Get Used

What new Australian parents unwrap, keep, and quietly thank you for months later. Six weeks after my daughter was born, I did an audit of the baby sh...