Hoops 4 Health – more than just basketball

More than 250 people across Badhu, Warraber and Waiben communities finessed their basketball skills, whilst learning valuable health and wellbeing strategies through the internationally acclaimed Hoops 4 Health Program last week. Participants enjoyed workshops, basketball clinics and scrimmage games which offered opportunities for Indigenous Basketball All Stars and Hoops 4 Health Coaches Nathan Jawai and Deba George to teach and share health and wellbeing information.

Supported by Hoops 4 Health Director Timmy Duggan, Nathan and Deba facilitated sessions that embedded the Hoops 4 Health’s patterned, repetitive rhythmic activity model to teach self-regulation and engagement strategies that improve brain development.

Hosting organisation, Meriba Ged Ngalpun Mab’s Executive Officer, Marcella Ketchell commended the partnership with Hoops 4 Health and said the program was successful amongst jobseekers in the region.

“The program is a positive engagement tool for jobseekers to feel empowered in themselves to undertake new opportunities in training, employment and other projects within their communities,” she said.

“But it wasn’t just about basketball.

“The program was about leadership, health and mentoring with the backing of neuroscience.”

Hoops 4 Health Director Timmy Duggan said bringing the program to the Torres Strait was made possible through the strong cultural connections that Nathan and Deba have with their communities.

“These types of connections forge the relationships that allow the Hoops 4 Health program to flourish in remote communities across the country,” he said.

“Through the program, we practice a thing called trauma informed coaching to encourage young people to make better lifestyle and health decisions that can unlock their longterm potential.”

The Hoops 4 Health team visited Badhu and Warraber schools with special guest ‘Hooper’, the Hoops 4 Health Male Mascot, who was a massive hit.

Coach Nathan said seeing happy and healthy children was very rewarding.

“Through the program, we engage with disadvantaged kids in juvenile detention centres to help change their mindsets and outlooks on life,” he said.

“Bringing the program home, meant we could engage with Torres Strait Islander children and share information not only about basketball, but life as well.

“The program also instils leadership behaviours and inspires our young people, as we’re wanting to develop our future leaders.”

Ms Ketchell said the Hoops 4 Health program had created and strengthened Meriba Ged Ngalpun Mab’s partnerships with new and existing stakeholders.

“Much of the Hoops 4 Health success in the Torres Strait is a result of key relationships that MGNM have established within our communities,” she said.

“We thank the

Wongai Basketball Association for partnering with us to deliver a Hoops 4 Health session for the youth on Waiben, and we acknowledge Badhulgaw Ngurpay Lag, Warraber Ngurpay Lag, Torres Strait Islanders Regional Council and Torres Shire Council for their support.

“MGNM also thanks our teams on Badhu, Warraber and Waiben for organising and coordinating these community events.” kg, excess charges otherwise apply)

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