Neighbor News
Men's 55+ Competitive Basketball League Launches in Detroit
Hoops 4 Health promotes healthy aging in the spirit of a little friendly competition; Individual and team registration open through March 6.
Detroit Area Agency on Aging (DAAA) in partnership with Neighborhood Service Organization (NSO) today announced the launch of a new men’s basketball league designed to get players’ blood racing and hearts pumping in the name of good health.
“This isn’t your dad’s recreational league. If your perception of an individual 55 and older is someone slow and frail, you’ll be floored by our players’ level of athleticism,” DaJuan Smith, COO, NSO. “On the flip side, we anticipate that this league will become a critical resource for older adults to learn about health concerns that can impact men of their age and find support within their teams as they age.”
Hoops 4 Health is a competitive 3-on-3 men’s basketball league for gentlemen 55 years and better. The league comes as a direct result of individuals living longer and remaining active well into their retirement years and seeking ways to stay active and challenging themselves, while engaging with friends.
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Ronald Taylor, DAAA’s president and CEO, believes in the power of teams – in sports, the workplace and families. “When it comes to men’s health,” he explains, “DAAA and NSO want Hoops 4 Health participants to experience positive lifestyle changes along with others in their age group. On a team, these men will be more accountable to one another. After all, showing up for the workouts is critical to the final competitions and wins – on the court and in life.”
The National Institute on Aging Life expectancy nearly doubled during the 20th century with a ten-fold increase in the number of Americans age 65 or older, while many studies point to the benefits of sports for seniors, which include improved concentration, heart health and weight control and an overall decrease in depression and dementia.
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Added Smith, “We anticipate conducting informal pre-league and post league health screening assessments with players to identify positive changes that participants experience. Our vision for this league as participants get older is that it will serve as a natural gateway to behavioral and primary care services as they are needed.”
The DAAA and NSO sponsored league offers participants the opportunity to remain physically active and increase their health literacy through the sport of basketball.
Games will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday mornings at Church Christ Elmwood Park, 2001 Antietam Ave. in Detroit. The first season kicks off Saturday, March 21 and continues through May 23, 2020. The last two weeks’ games will be tournament style to determine a champion.
Teams are comprised of a maximum of six players per team, primarily for individuals with some high school or college ball experience. Each team member must register separately and sign a waiver. Team registration is available.
Players can register online at www.nso-mi.org. The cost is $25 per player. For more information, email hoops4health@gmail.com.
About Neighborhood Service Organization
Neighborhood Service Organization (NSO) is a Detroit-based health and human service agency strengthening communities through bold outreach services and holistic programs for vulnerable populations...changing lives one person at a time. Learn more by visiting www.nso-mi.org.
About Detroit Area Agency on Aging
Established in 1980, the Detroit Area Agency on Aging (DAAA) is a nonprofit agency that serves older persons, adults with disabilities and caregivers residing in Detroit, the five Grosse Pointes, Hamtramck, Harper Woods and Highland Park. We are one of 16 Area Agencies on Aging in the state of Michigan and 622 in the nation. Learn more by visiting www.detroitseniorsolution.org.
