Press Release

DEPOK, 29^th May 2024 - Sun Life Indonesia, in partnership with Beyond Sport, have come together with local community members to refurbish the community basketball court in Depok. Today, forty volunteer community members and Sun Life employees joined forces to help transform the site, laying the court’s final modular tiles, painting walls and planting trees to provide shade and protection for years to come. The newly refurbished court is expected to open shortly building on Sun Life Indonesia’s 29-year investment in community health and wellbeing.

The basketball court will become part of a broader IDR10 billion “Hoops + Health” collaborative initiative between Sun Life and global sport for social change foundation Beyond Sport, to promote physical activity and healthier lifestyles among marginalized youth across Asia. After successful 2024 court refurbishments in Laguna, (Philippines), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Hong Kong, and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), this project continues Sun Life’s dedication to using the basketball’s popularity to advance youth and community development. 

Located 25km south of Jakarta, Depok is a densely populated neighborhood. The open access basketball court, which is hosted on an active community member’s property, is also managed and maintained by her family. Widely enjoyed by community members of all ages, it is the only free-to-use recreational space in the local area but had fallen into disrepair. Additional futsal and volleyball lines are being painted to support a multi-sport use of the court, making the refurbished court a more versatile and enjoyable facility for the 1,500 households it will serve.

“At Sun Life, our commitment to fostering holistic health and wellness within communities is integral to our Purpose. We recognize that maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle is essential for overall wellbeing. Through our partnership with Beyond Sport, we are leveraging the unique influence of basketball to promote physical activity, enhance community spirit, and contribute to a healthier future for Indonesian youth,” said Kah Jing Lee, Chief Client Officer of Sun Life Indonesia.

In addition to the physical refurbishment, regional coach education partner ASA Foundation will conduct a coach education workshop in June. The workshop aims to enhance skills and knowledge in using basketball as a tool for promoting physical health and well-being among young people. Following this, a series of free, weekly youth basketball sessions will begin, enabling the coaches to put their learnings into practice and providing Tanah Baru youth with tools to live healthier lives. Additional coach trainings are also being planned. ASA Foundation is based in Jakarta and are partners across all six sites of the Hoops + Health program.

“Connection and community are at the heart of the Hoops + Health programme,” said Beyond Sport Director of Programmes Adam Burgess. “That is why we were delighted to have Sun Life employees volunteering alongside local residents. Refurbishing a court is one thing, but creating space for collaboration will build relationships, increase local pride in the court, and ensure community ownership of the renovated space on the journey to promoting healthy living.”

Sun Life's support for the refurbishment of the Tanah Baru basketball court aligns with its broader health and youth-focused initiatives in Indonesia. These include the Global Philanthropy Program Build Our Kids’ Success (BOKS) which has succeeded in reaching over 26,000 students across 102 elementary schools in Indonesia through its physical activity programs and the 2023 Brighter School volunteering drive, an extension of BOKS, where Sun Life’s revitalization of Cipinang Muara 18 elementary school’s medical, sports and garden facilities improved the learning environment for students. And building on the buzz of Indonesia co-hosting of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Sun Life also held a celebrity basketball weekend in Jakarta as part of a broader #MovementMatters campaign to promote active lifestyles. Leveraging one of Indonesia’s favorite national sports it was followed by children’s coaching clinics hosted by professional coaches.

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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, 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 www.sunlife.com.

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:

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 Hoops + Health program across Asia.