Hoops4Health is the BBL's national community programme, combining basketball coaching with practical healthy living advice for young people. Hoops4Health is operated by BBL clubs and delivered into primary schools within their locality, with the eventual aim of producing health conscious, talented, basketball players.

Hoops4Health is a five-stage healthy living programme using basketball as an activity to convey a range of positive health messages to young people in primary schools, whilst also providing them with the skills and relevant outlets to continue playing basketball.

The five stages of Hoops4Health are as follows:

1. Roadshows - players spend an afternoon in a primary school providing basketball coaching and lessons on healthy eating, fitness, and no smoking.

2. Basketball coaching - to develop the skills of the young people and promote a continued interest in the sport, whilst preparing for the competition stages of the scheme.

3. Hoops4Health Regional Tournaments - schools are invited to enter teams into local tournaments run by the BBL club in their region.

4. Hoops4Health Regional Finals - the semi-finals and final of each regional tournament take place during half-time of a BBL Championship regular season game.

5. Hoops4Health National Finals - the teams that prevail from each of the regions competes in the national finals tournament at the BBL Playoff Final.

The 2009/10 Hoops4Health National Finals are to be contested amongst the grandeur of the BBL Playoff Final at the National Indoor Arena on 8th May 2010 in front of over 5,000 BBL fans - the winners will be crowned national Hoops4Health champions.

The BBL’s extensive commitment to community programmes is the bedrock to many of the clubs, with integration in the local community contributing to the popularity of basketball at grass roots, the attendances in the arenas, and the increasing membership levels enjoyed by the governing body: England Basketball.

The BBL are committed to working with England Basketball and assisting in the development of future players for the Great Britain team. The Hoops4Health initiative is an integral part of this development programme.

A further aim of these programmes is to begin the identification process for talented young players and to funnel them through to the elite level of competition enjoyed by the academies at various clubs. Testament to the success of these academies is the recent emergence of such players as Aaron Nielsen (Newcastle Eagles), who has progressed from their club's youth academy to feature in the BBL this season.

If you or your child would like further information on the Hoops4Health programme, then you can contact your nearest club.