Team sport is a popular way for people to meet new friends and participate in exercise. Many types of sports fall under the umbrella of team sport, including football, basketball, soccer, softball and baseball.
Often, team sports involve teams of players competing against each other to earn points for their team. However, there are other kinds of team sports that don’t require teammates to facilitate the movement of a ball or similar object in accordance with a set of rules, like swimming, rowing, sailing, dragon boat racing, and track and field.
The benefits of team sports are a wide-range, and for children especially, the impact can last a lifetime!
Self-Esteem: It’s easy for a child to lose their sense of self when they aren’t playing a team sport. By engaging in competitive play, kids can develop pride in their skills, practice hard work and learn how to accept setbacks.
Communication: Being able to communicate with your teammates effectively is an important life skill that will serve your child well in their adulthood. They will also be able to use their interpersonal skills to solve problems on and off the field or court.
Motivation: Being part of a team motivates people to stick with their workouts and practice because they know that they have teammates who care about them. They’ll also have a good time, which will help keep them motivated to stay active!
School pride: Students who participate in team sports are often more rooted in their school than others who don’t. They see their friends playing, they cheer them on and they see trophies and medals awarded in the name of their school.