The Hoops for Health program delivered by Basketball Fiji is funded by the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under the Pacific Sports Partnerships program. Fiji is one of the four Pacific nations delivering Hoops for Health to a growing numer of people interested in basketball and healthy living.

The “Mum’s a Hero” Program is established to increase middle-aged women’s awareness of NCD through learning the sport of basketball. This awareness will boost their knowledge of healthy living and help them see the need to actively live by these standards.

Mr Qio addressed the mothers on the importance that they hold in caring for their families. “It’s you mothers that decide what your children and husbands eat. It is you who decide whether to feed them vegetables or take them to Mc Donalds, so you are the ones that need to be aware that you may be setting a trend for your children in exposing them to NCD risks” Mr Qio said as he spoke to the mothers on healthy living. Following Mr Qio’s educational session, the mothers sweated it out in the aerobics session with gym instructor from Pacific Gym, Divini Qaranivalu. After aerobics, the mothers were introduced to the game of basketball through some activities and games conducted by the Hoops for Health Coaches from Suva and that wrapped up the program for the Nadi mothers who were interested in finding out more about the “mum’s a hero” program.

“The Mum’s a Hero program is an awesome program for mums and all females for that matter. It was truly an amazing experience trying to exercise while making new friends. The list topper, is knowing that mums can change the way of life in homes i.e. preparing healthy and fresh food for the family instead of going out to fast food places like Mc Donalds”, said Viti Lilo, a mother of 5 who participated in the event.

"Despite the heat and some unexpected last minute problems, the program I think ran as well as it could have. There are a few areas we can improve on so that the next one will have a better turn out and will run smoothly" one of the H4H Coaches said about the event.