Basketball courses for kids

Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world and one of the most widely viewed. It is a competitive team sport that involves two teams of five players each trying to score points against one another by throwing a ball through a high hoop (the 'basket') under organised rules.

Basketball culture is similarly rampant across Asia, and kids’ basketball classes becoming a major hit. It is the most popular sport by far in the Philippines and is one of the most popular sports in Hong Kong given the national basketball team regularly qualifies for the FIBA Asia Cup. It seems like there is never an empty basketball court in the streets of Hong Kong as kid’s basketball has always been popular. In China, basketball ranks fourth, behind badminton, table tennis and swimming, while in Singapore, it has similar popularity to that of table tennis placing it within the top 5 popular sports.

Kids’ basketball in Hong Kong & Singapore

In their search for kids’ basketball training, children and parents are often inspired by national athletes and have developed a passion for basketball after seeing the efforts and triumphs of the Hong Kong and Singapore national teams.

Some of the most famous basketball stars in Hong Kong include

Wong Chun Wai: Wong Chun Wai is a retired basketball player who is considered one of the best players in Hong Kong history. He played for the Hong Kong national team and was a key player in several major competitions, including the Asian Games and the FIBA Asia Championship.
Yung Kam Wah: Yung Kam Wah is another retired basketball player who is widely regarded as one of the best players in Hong Kong history. He played for the Hong Kong national team and was a dominant force in the local basketball scene during the 1980s and 1990s. In the past, he has also been heavily involved in kids’ basketball classes.
Duncan Reid: Duncan Reid is a former professional basketball player who played for the Hong Kong national team. He also played professionally in various countries, including Australia and New Zealand, and is known for his versatile playing style and strong defensive skills.
Fong Shing Yee: Fong Shing Yee is a current basketball player who has played for the Hong Kong national team. He is a skilled point guard known for his speed, agility, and scoring ability.
Lau Tsz Lai: Lau Tsz Lai is another current basketball player who has represented Hong Kong in international competitions. He is a versatile forward known for his rebounding and scoring ability.

And in Singapore, the most renowned basketball players include

Wong Wei Long: Wong Wei Long is a professional basketball player who has played for the Singapore national team. He is regarded as one of the best basketball players in Singapore history and has won multiple awards for his performance, including the ASEAN Basketball League Local MVP award.
Delvin Goh: Delvin Goh is another professional basketball player who has represented Singapore in international competitions. He is a skilled power forward known for his rebounding and scoring ability.
Lim Shengyu: Lim Shengyu is a former professional basketball player who played for the Singapore national team. He is regarded as one of the best basketball players in Singapore history and was a dominant force in the local basketball scene during the 1990s and early 2000s.
Desmond Oh: Desmond Oh is a former professional basketball player who played for the Singapore national team. He is known for his strong defensive skills and was a key player in several major competitions, including the Southeast Asian Games.
Larry Liew: Larry Liew is another former professional basketball player who played for the Singapore national team. He is known for his versatile playing style and strong scoring ability, and was a key player in several major competitions, including the Southeast Asian Games.

Kids’ basketball training in Hong Kong & Singapore

Kids’ basketball training is so popular across Asia because it is so accessible – there are kids’ basketball courts in Hong Kong and Singapore close to everyone! - and the equipment doesn’t require a huge amount of investment. You just need a ball and a pump. The price of kids’ basketball courses are also at the affordable end of the range of after school activities. Kids’ basketball training is fast-paced and a great way for them to break a sweat.

Kids’ basketball classes in Hong Kong and Singapore are also useful for them to prepare to succeed in a competitive sport. There are lots of inter-school basketball competitions and kids’ basketball classes which promote healthy sportsmanship and resiliency. And kids’ basketball training is great fun, especially if you’re on the court with your friends.

In Hong Kong, there are several well established leagues for children to play basketball competitively. For example

Hong Kong Youth Basketball League (HKYBL): The HKYBL is one of the most popular youth basketball leagues in Hong Kong. It is open to children between the ages of 6 and 18, and features teams from schools, clubs, and other organizations. The kids’ basketball Hong Kong league is divided into different age groups and skill levels, and emphasizes fair play, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
Hong Kong Schools Sports Federation (HKSSF): The HKSSF organizes various sports competitions for schools in Hong Kong, including basketball. The kids’ basketball Hong Kong competitions are open to students between the ages of 12 and 19, and are divided into different divisions based on age and skill level.
Junior NBA: The Junior NBA is a global youth basketball program that aims to promote the sport and inspire young players. In Hong Kong, the program is organized by the Hong Kong Basketball Association (HKBA) and includes kids’ basketball training camps, clinics, and tournaments for children between the ages of 5 and 14.
YMCA Youth Basketball League: The YMCA Youth Basketball League is another popular league for children in Hong Kong. It is open to children between the ages of 6 and 18, and features teams from schools, clubs, and other organizations. The league emphasizes skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship in kids’ basketball in Hong Kong.

There are also other kids’ basketball training, smaller leagues and competitions organized by community centers, sports clubs, and other organizations throughout Hong Kong. Children can participate in them by joining a team or forming their own team with friends.

Given the popularity of kids’ basketball in Hong Kong, many schools also have successful kids’ basketball training and programs. Some of the schools that have historically performed well in basketball competitions include La Salle College, Diocesan Boys' School, St. Joseph's College, and Wah Yan College.

Similarly in Singapore, there are many venues for kids’ basketball training and for them to play competition level basketball, in order to enhance resiliency and develop sportsmanship etiquette. For example:

Singapore Basketball Association (SBA) Youth Basketball League: The SBA Youth Basketball League is one of the most popular youth basketball leagues in Singapore. It is open to children between the ages of 7 and 18, and features teams from schools, clubs, and other organizations. The league is divided into different age groups and skill levels, and emphasizes fair play, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
ActiveSG-BAS Basketball Academy: The ActiveSG-BAS Basketball Academy is a joint initiative by the Singapore Sports Council and Basketball Association of Singapore (BAS). It offers kids’ basketball training programs for children of all skill levels, and also organizes leagues and tournaments for children to participate in.
Junior NBA: The Junior NBA is a global youth basketball program that aims to promote the sport and inspire young players. In Singapore, the program is organized by the NBA and includes kids’ basketball training camps, clinics, and tournaments for children between the ages of 5 and 14.
Singapore American School (SAS) Basketball League: The SAS Basketball League is a popular league for children attending the Singapore American School. It is open to students in grades 4 to 12, and features teams from the school as well as other schools and organizations in the area.

Many Singapore schools also offer their students kids’ basketball classes and training. Some of the schools that have historically performed well in basketball competitions include Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), Catholic High School, Hwa Chong Institution, National Junior College, and Raffles Institution.

In terms of ranking, the Ministry of Education (MOE) in Singapore recognizes schools that excel in sports through its School Sports Excellence Award (SSEA) program. Schools that receive the SSEA are recognized as Centers of Excellence for their respective sports, including basketball. As of 2021, the following schools have received the SSEA for basketball:

Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
Catholic High School
Hwa Chong Institution
Raffles Institution

The benefits of kids’ basketball classes

The benefits of basketball courses for children include

learning how to deal with success and rebound from failure, and build character given it is so competitive
encouraging an active lifestyle which establishes healthy routines for adulthood
enhancing cognitive development
improving social skills and team work
increasing engagement levels and confidence
physical benefits such as strengthening bones and improving hand eye coordination
protecting against future cardiovascular disease, cancer and metabolic diseases
better quality sleep which improves a child’s resiliency and concentration

So why choose kids’ basketball training rather than other sports?

Every child is different, and what works for one child may not work for another so it’s always important to consider a child's individual interests, abilities, and preferences when choosing a sport or activity for them to participate in. However, the main reasons for choosing kids’ basketball classes rather than other sports include

Physical fitness: Basketball is a physically demanding sport that requires a lot of running, jumping, and quick movements. This means that kids’ basketball classes can help children improve their cardiovascular health, develop strong muscles and bones, and improve their overall fitness level.
Teamwork and social skills: Basketball is a team sport that requires players to work together and communicate effectively to achieve a common goal. Kids’ basketball classes can help children develop important social skills, such as cooperation, leadership, and communication.
Coordination and motor skills: Basketball requires a high degree of hand-eye coordination, balance, and agility. Kids’ basketball training can help them improve these skills, which can benefit their performance in other sports and everyday activities.
Confidence and self-esteem: Learning new skills and improving in kids’ basketball training can help them build confidence and self-esteem, which can benefit them in all areas of life.
Fun and enjoyment: Finally, basketball can be a fun and enjoyable sport for children to participate in. Kids’ basketball in Hong Kong and Singapore can provide an outlet for their energy, give them a sense of accomplishment, and allow them to make new friends and form social connections.

How old should a child be to start attending kids’ basketball classes?

Generally speaking, children as young as 4 or 5 years old can begin learning basic basketball skills through age-appropriate kids’ basketball classes or training.

Many kids’ basketball training programs offer classes specifically designed for young children, which focus on developing fundamental basketball skills such as dribbling, passing, shooting, and basic footwork. These kids’ basketball classes often incorporate fun games and activities to keep children engaged and interested in the sport.

It's important to note that at a young age, the focus for kids’ basketball classes should be on having fun and developing a love for the sport, rather than intense competition or a focus on winning. As children grow and develop their skills, they can progress to more advanced kids’ basketball classes or competitive leagues if they are interested and ready.