The Benefits of Sports

Have you ever experienced the wonders sport can do? New skills, new friends, new experiences, why not give it a go?

40% of teens in the UK ages 13-17 are active in sport and evidence shows these teens are more successful in life’s challenges.

Why not create a positive life for yourself and enrol in a sport? You could even take a friend along for moral support and enjoy the new adventure together?

TEAM

Taking part in a sport encourages teamwork, communication and motivational skills.  These skills are needed in everyday life to succeed in any career.

Working as a team allows you to experiment in different roles such as a leader, an organiser and a team builder. Trying different roles within a team can develop confidence and can support essential skills for later life.

Working as a team can be a great bonding experience, sharing a common interest, sharing goals and of course building friends for life!

SCHOOL

Physical education is compulsory until the age of 16 in schools but research shows not all children are engaged in this activity each week. Some teenagers are given the choice to complete academic work rather than participate in physical education. This indicates Physical Education is not as high a priority in the education setting as other subjects which is a concern given there is an increase in obesity rates across the UK.

HEALTHIER/FITTER

Being engaged in sport and being fit can reduce the change of ill health and having chronic health conditions. Sport should be encouraged in children’s lives, but especially with teenagers, due to their developing bodies such as hormones and growth. Being fit and participating in sport supports, positive growth, stable emotional well being and promotes positive sleep patterns.

SMARTER

When the heart rate is increased regularly the body increases the blood flow to the brain, which stimulates brain growth, therefore, allowing you to think on your feet better.  Participating in a sport is linked to having a greater attention span and achieving higher academically.

TIME MANAGEMENT

To participate in a sport you must be committed and have good time management. This consists of good planning ahead, organising your daily structure and focusing on what is required to achieve your goals. 35 million children play youth sport each year. Why not control your time management and join in too?

IDENTITY

Everyone has their own identity and sport can often help figure out what your identity is. This means outside of a teenagers school and family life what do they do? If a child came home from school and just played games in their room all night and someone asked what their identity was, they would probably describe their appearance and that they liked to play games. However, if a child plays sports they can list their appearance but also expand to describe their talents, for example, an athlete/sprinter, a footballer/centre back.

MENTAL HEALTH

Taking part in a sport with help with all aspects of your mental health. It will give you a positive self-image and keep you fit and healthy. Research shows a clear link that participating in a sport creates happiness and positive emotional well being. Your confidence will increase and your self -esteem will be boosted. The brain is engaged which allows concentration levels to increase, therefore reducing anxiety and stress.

KEEPING SAFE

Research has shown sport can keep us safe as well! Teenagers are less likely to drop out of education or work, not smoke, are involved in less violenT and anti-social behaviour, and aRe less likely to participate in risk-taking behaviours such as drugs and alcohol.

There are so many positives and benefits to participating in a sport so why not join in and make positives life choices!

For further information on joining a team, why not take a look at these websites.

https://www.livingsport.co.uk/active-lives-children-young-people-survey/

https://www.sportengland.org/campaigns-and-our-work/children-and-young-people