SUVA - The Fiji Basketball Federation is placing mothers at the heart of its exciting Hoops For Health initiative.

Every week, the federation is making a difference in local communities right across the Pacific nation via its inclusive 'Mum's a Hero' project which arms mothers with the tools they need to be happy and healthy.

Introduced late last year, the scheme is targeting mums from 35-years-old and above by sharing a wealth of essential and supportive information.

This includes healthy eating and physical exercise tips and all delivered within a basketball context - focusing on ensuring fun is always high on the agenda for the participants.

Funded by the Australian Aid program in partnership with FIBA, Basketball Fiji is aiming to run the clinics every week at different basketball centres in Suva, before eventually taking the work further afield.

A superb total of 55 mothers queued up to grab a slice of the action in the Raiwasa District recently and that was followed a week later by no fewer than 40 mothers enjoying the activities in the Raiwaqa area.

While aimed at serving the needs of a specific dynamic within the community and promoting mum’s to be heroes, the local population came out to support the event.

It resulted in younger women and even some courageous men stepping into the project to enjoy a packed schedule of aerobics, basketball skills training, along with numerous basketball drills and enjoyable games.

"The 'Mum's a Hero' programme is brilliant," said Leah Seru, a 'Hoops for Health' coach.

"Its purpose is to get mothers and grandmothers to be active.

"The energy and excitement that these women have throughout the clinic is one of the best parts about the programme."

Meanwhile there were also serious messages delivered, including a talk from Fiji’s Diabetes Facilitator, Viliame Qio who emphasised the concept of healthy eating for the participants and their families.

This was something put into practice with the provision of a healthy breakfast, including fresh fruit, cereals and sandwiches.

The entire day proved to be so much of a hit, that all those who took part wanted to do it all again the following week and there was even talk of forming a 'Mum's a Hero' team in the future.

FIBA