Filipino-American Miami Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra to Lead Expanded Program
MANILA, July 20, 2011 – NBA FIT returns to the Philippines from July 25-Aug. 7, across Metro Manila, the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today. The 2011 Philippines program will see an expanded schedule following the success of last year’s inaugural event.
NBA FIT is the league’s global comprehensive health and wellness program that encourages physical activity and healthy living for children and families through programs and events.
NBA FIT Philippines 2011 is fully endorsed by the Philippines Department of Health (DOH) and will feature Filipino-American Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, who led his team to the NBA Finals this season. Spoelstra, an NBA FIT team member and NBA Ambassador of the Philippines, will be assisted by some of his Heat coaching staff, as well as local health and wellness experts and celebrities.
NBA FIT programming will include the following elements during the two week event:
NBA FIT Clinics – Held at grade schools, high schools, universities, and shopping malls, these interactive health seminars will focus on three keys to a healthier lifestyle — regular physical activity, better daily nutrition, and smart personal health choices. Fans can take part in various health tests, enjoy healthy cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs and take part in the NBA FIT Challenge, a timed fitness obstacle course with chances to win great NBA prizes. Participants with
the best times from the tour will be eligible to participate in the grand finale of the NBA FIT Clinics at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall on August 6th, 2011. The NBA has set a goal for 10,000 fans to make their own commitment to healthy living by signing an NBA FIT Pledge.
NBA FIT Development Camp – Spoelstra and Heat assistant coaches David Fizdale and Chad Kammerer, will lead a basketball camp for the Energen Philippine Under-16 National Team, which is currently preparing for the FIBA-Asia Under-16 Championships in October. The camp will be hosted by the Araneta Center at the world-famous Araneta Coliseum on August 5, 2011. Gatorade will conduct advanced hydration “sweat tests” that can help educate and prepare the participants for future competitions. Spoelstra will also lead a coaching clinic for coaches from the Basketball Federation of the Philippines and from National Capital Region high schools and colleges, who will also be invited to observe the camp.
Celebrity NBA FIT Challenge – Following the NBA FIT Development Camp, 16 celebrities from the entertainment and sports world will be divided into four teams to see who can complete the NBA FIT Challenge in the quickest possible time. The winning team will win autographed prizes for their favorite charity.
NBA FIT Fun Run presented by Air21 – The second annual NBA FIT fun run, co-organized by the NBA and RunRio, the premier race organizer in the Philippines, will be held on August 7, 2011 at the Fort Bonifacio Global City. Approximately 6,000 runners are expected to participate in the run. Distances include 3K, 5K, 10K and the newly added 21K. For registration details, log on to RunRio.com.
Spoelstra and the NBA FIT team will also partner with the Philippine Department of Health and Health Secretary Enrique Ona to promote healthy living among local Filipino youth and to educate them on the dangers of smoking, drugs and excessive alcohol consumption.
“I had a really fulfilling trip last year working with Filipino families and youth and I am thrilled to come back to the Philippines under the NBA FIT program,” said Erik Spoelstra, Head Coach of the Miami Heat. “Healthy living and physical activity are so important and NBA FIT is a chance for me to give back to the local community where basketball is such a passion amongst the people.”
“We had such a great response to our first NBA FIT program last year, and we are excited to bring this back to the Philippines in a much bigger way this year, said Ed Winkle, Senior Director, Business Development & Marketing Partnerships, NBA Asia. “We thank our passionate Filipino NBA fans for making this possible and our partners for their continuous support in promoting health and fitness to the Filipino community.”
Official partners of the NBA FIT Philippines 2011 include Gatorade, Energen, Air21, Head & Shoulders, Alaska, Sanofi-Aventis and Philippine Airlines. Media partners supporting the camp are Basketball TV, Studio 23 and NBA Premium TV. Partners in sport include Run Rio and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP). Venue partners are SM Malls and Araneta Center. Community partners endorsing the program include the Department of Health, and the Food and Nutrition Research Institute.
For more information about NBA FIT Philippines 2011, please log on to www.nba.com/philippines or follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/NBA_Philippines
NBA Fit challenges, mass exercise activities, nutrition seminars and skills demonstrations will fill the two hour-long sessions, with the entire student body expected to join the activity. Winners of the NBA Fit Challenges per school will compete in a final showdown at the SM Mall of Asia on August 6. NBA Asia Head of Basketball Operations Jama Mahlalela leads the fitness and game challenges, assisted by school coaches.