The Benefits of Team Sport

Millions of people around the world play team sports. It is not just a fun pastime; it teaches kids and adults some very important lessons about life. Here are some of the major benefits of team sport:

1. Builds Self-Esteem

Playing a team sport requires cooperation with teammates and coworkers, as well as learning how to work in the face of adversity. Being part of a team sport also teaches children to respect other adults such as coaches and referees, and that it is not okay to argue or disobey rules. Those skills can benefit them in the workplace and their personal lives.

2. Teaches Critical Thinking

Working on a team sport develops an individual’s ability to think critically and creatively. Athletes have to consider their teammates’ strengths and weaknesses, as well as the opposing team’s strategy in order to formulate effective tactics during a match. This is a skill that can be applied to any situation in life, from school to the office.

3. Teach the Value of Commitment

The commitment needed to play a team sport teaches children about the importance of perseverance and effort. If a child is unable to commit to something that requires long-term focus, they will struggle in school and in other aspects of their life. Similarly, if a child cannot follow through on a promise to their coach or to a fellow teammate, they will not succeed. Having this lesson at an early age helps them to grow into adults who can take charge of their own actions.

4. Improves Communication Skills

Being a member of a team sport team requires great communication skills. Athletes communicate through verbal and non-verbal cues during training sessions, discuss game strategies during matches and seek comments from their coaches and fellow players. This type of interpersonal communication is crucial to a person’s success in school, in their work and even in their relationships.

5. Improves Social Interaction

When children and adults join a team sport, they create friendships that last a lifetime. Those friendships can form in the locker room, in the classroom and even in the boardroom. Friendships forged through team sports can help individuals find support and companionship in times of stress, as well as serve as a natural mood booster.

6. Increases Physical Activity

Studies have shown that children who participate in team sports are less likely to drop out of school and become involved with drugs or alcohol as adults. It is also known that regular physical activity boosts the immune system and reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

7. Teamwork

Being part of a team sport teaches young people how to work together, collaborate and make decisions in a supportive environment. It also teaches them how to be a good leader, set goals and work toward a common goal. This is a very valuable life lesson that can be applied to any situation, including work or school. In addition, playing team sports is a lot of fun and can be a great way to relax and forget about daily worries for a while.