Gentle Strength in the Mountains: The Girls' Basketball Team of Nanao Elementary School

Nestled in the lush mountains of Yilan County in eastern Taiwan is a powerhouse of a team, one that continues to grow stronger with every game. Meet the girls’ basketball team of Nanao Elementary School, who this year achieved their fourth consecutive championship in the MINI division of the National Youth Basketball Tournament. Despite limited resources, they persist with determination, driven by their love for the game and an unwavering refusal to give up.

Note: The “MINI” division refers to schools with fewer than 12 classes.

Surrounded by majestic peaks, the village of Nanao exudes a quiet serenity. The crisp air carries the scent of wild grass, , and the school’s modest campus is adorned with the Atayal language, a nod to its Indigenous heritage. Between the basketball courts and the playground stands a large, timeworn tree, an ever-present guardian over the children and their dreams. .Nanao Elementary is small, with only about 66 students in total. Remarkably, over 2/3 of them are members of the school’s basketball team, a testament to how deeply basketball is woven into school life here.

At the heart of this team’s ethos is a simple yet powerful principle: Never give up. No matter the scoreboard or how exhausted they feel during training, the players push forward. Last August, 8 at the TARO Cup in Hualien, one of the most vivid displays of this spirit came. With no substitutes available, the girls had to play entire matches without rest. Even when some players collapsed from fatigue, they picked themselves up—sometimes in tears—and kept going. Their coach had taught them to never give up, and they lived that lesson to the fullest.

Resourcefulness in the Face of Scarcity

Kumu Given the school’s remote location and modest funding, the team has learned to make the most of what’s available. “We use whatever we have,” says Coach Kumu, with a smile.

Instead of fancy modern equipment, their training takes place on mountain trails and stone stairways near the school’s covered court.

And with most players belonging to the Atayal Indigenous group—renowned for their natural rhythm and coordination—Kumu incorporates music into training, having them dribble in sync with beats. These fun, creative drills keep the girls engaged and motivated.

Discipline is a crucial part of team life. Beyond punctuality and manners, players are expected to excel in class and maintain a strong moral character. If a student falls short, she’s assigned to help clean the campus, instilling a sense of responsibility and community pride. It’s no wonder the team’s players are often praised by teachers across the school.

“I’m more like a mother than a coach,” Kumu says.

Though Nanao’s boys’ team has also earned accolades, coaching the girls presents a unique challenge. Girls are more sensitive and prone to forming cliques, dynamics that can undermine team cohesion. When this happens, Kumu steps in immediately, sometimes by giving leadership roles to those forming cliques.

For example, she once tasked a group of girls with planning a team outing, providing an opportunity for them to develop practical skills and rediscover the value of teamwork. Her players notice and appreciate her dedication. Though she can be stern, they know she’s guiding them toward growth. Too shy to express their feelings directly, they often write heartfelt notes. After one particularly tough punishment session, the girls secretly left stacks of apology and thank-you cards on her desk that deeply moved Kumu and reaffirmed her commitment to the team.

A Game That Moved Everyone

One of the most emotional moments in the team's recent history came during a match on their journey to a fourth championship title. Nanao trailed the entire game and was still down by 8 points with 90 seconds left. Instead of giving orders, Kumu sat quietly on the bench, allowing her players to find their rhythm. They mounted a fierce comeback and tied the game at the buzzer. In that game, timid players dared to shoot, others made bold defensive plays, and the whole team showed how pressure could forge progress. That’s what makes Nanao Elementary’s girls’ team so formidable: they grow right in the heat of competition.

“These kids haven’t given up—and neither will I,” says Coach Kumu.

As for goals, she doesn’t focus on rankings or medals Kumu asks only one thing: that the players keep trying. She hopes basketball will help them build discipline and self-awareness, and encourages them to set their own goals, starting from daily practice. Because only through sweat and effort, she says, can they truly earn something beautiful. And if you ever find yourself in the mountains of Yilan, don’t be surprised if you hear the echo of bouncing balls, laughter, and music. That’s the sound of the Nanao girls training—not just to win, but to grow.

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Nan’ao Elementary School Exclusive Indigenous Style Basketball Jersey (White) offered: Unistar Taiwan