Millions of people participate in team sport across the world every year. These sports are a great way to get exercise, meet new friends and build social networks outside of school or work. They are also known to help increase motivation, improve cardiovascular health, promote sleep quality and duration, decrease stress hormone levels, strengthen bones and muscles and boost overall mood and wellbeing.
Team sport refers to any sports that involve teammates facilitating the movement of a ball or similar object in accordance with a set of rules, in order to score points. The term is typically used to refer to competitions involving more than one opposing team, but can also apply to certain individual sports that are considered by some to be “team” sports, such as mountaineering or dragon boat racing.
The most obvious benefit of participating in team sports is physical fitness and a healthier lifestyle. However, there are many other less apparent benefits of team sport that can be just as important to a child’s development. Team sports encourage children to develop skills that will benefit them in their life-long journey, such as social interaction, discipline and commitment.
A key reason why team sport is so important for children is that it teaches them the value of time. For example, a tennis player may be instructed that they can only play their game when they are free from other commitments such as homework or work. This can teach them to manage their time effectively and be organised in the future, a skill they can transfer into other aspects of their lives.
Another aspect of team sport that is often overlooked is the sense of belonging it creates. It is not uncommon for sports teams to become a close-knit group, and this can be a good thing for children who are sometimes unsure of where their place is within a classroom setting. Team members can support each other, offer a shoulder to cry on and even be a friend away from the field.
Communication is a vital part of a team, and this is seen in all team sports from locker room discussions to non-verbal cues between teammates. It is essential for the success of a team and it can be learned from watching professional teams, as well as learning from a coach at a local sporting facility.
Being on a team teaches students to appreciate each other’s abilities and understand that everyone has a role to play in the success of the whole. It also helps students to put winning and losing into perspective, so they can be more understanding and empathetic of others. This will also benefit them in the workplace, as they will be able to relate better with colleagues who have different views and opinions than their own. As a result, they can make more effective decisions on behalf of the company. This is something that all companies should endeavour to promote in their staff.