The Filipino Basketball Academy (FBA) has partnered with Energen, Toby’s Sports and Sun Cellular to run The Energen Hoops for Hope program starting in April 2013 through March 2014.

Energen Hoops for Hope is a grassroots basketball/lifeskills outreach program designed to provide deserving school youth ages 7 to 18 from Metro Manila, with the opportunity to develop their educational, social and athletic skills in a highly structured basketball training program.

The FBA has designed and will implement the Energen Hoops for Hope program on an annual basis in 100 different barangays with the assistance of 500 basketball coaches serving 20,000 students/athletes annually. All programs will be free of charge to qualifying youth.

The Energen Hoops for Hope mission is to improve the state of public education in the country through the implementation of basketball programs designed to shape a young person’s values and ability to move forward in life.

The program will serve as a tool for character formation and leadership training by developing in young individuals not just basketball skills but life skills that will make them models/leaders in their home communities. The FBA directed by Phil Henderson, former NBA Dallas Maverick and Duke Bluedevil All American will oversee the entire program operations.

On December 26 to 28, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, daily, the FBA will conduct a free Energen Hoops for Hope Holiday Camp at Toby’s Sports Corporate Headquarters in Pasig for 50 youth, ages 7 to 18 as a Christmas gift to the community.

All participants will receive a free basketball jersey sponsored by Energen and a free basketball sponsored by Toby’s Sports. Four participants will receive a free Cherry Mobile cellphone sponsored by Sun Cellular for their good sportsmanship and character displayed throughout the camp activities.

Special US guest Coach John Spezia will join the FBA coaching staff to work with campers. Coach Spezia is the current president of the US National Junior College Basketball Coaches Association.

Spezia will work closely with the FBA to identify and develop talented Filipino prospects.