The Benefits of Participating in School Sports
The benefits of participating in school sports like football, basketball, soccer and baseball cannot be understated. Becoming a part of a school sports team has many benefits for students and their families, ranging from improved academic performance to preparation for their future.
School sports foster skill development and lifelong relationships that will last well into a student's life. Learning to work with and lead a team are vital skills you won't regret teaching your child about through school sports.
Joining a sports team might mean more hectic schedules, but benefits like improved health, academic performance, social skills and life skills make it all worthwhile. Check out these benefits of sports for kids:
1. Improved Academic Performance
One significant benefit of high school sports or youth athletics is improved academic performance. Skills like memorization and repetition are essential for school success and can be learned on the field or court, and many student-athletes perform better academically and have higher grades or test scores. Plus, sports teams often have academic requirements athletes must meet to remain on the team, which is an excellent motivator for children and teens.
2. Development of Life Skills
Student-athletes learn how to communicate, work as a team, manage their time and solve problems. These skills give them a competitive edge as they enter college or the workforce. They're equipped with the skills to become leaders and team players in adulthood.
3. Physical and Mental Health Improvements
Physical activity is vital for everyone, and joining a sports team is a fantastic way for kids to get active. Other physical health benefits of school sports include reducing the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
The mental benefits of sports cannot be understated either — releasing endorphins and lowering the risk of depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions are just a few of the mental benefits of exercise. Children who play sports may also display better decision-making abilities. They don't want to put themselves in a position to be removed from the team, so they may be less likely to display risky behaviors.
4. Boosted Self-Esteem
Accomplishing a goal or winning a game can help build your children's confidence and encourage them to keep working hard. Since children and teens struggle with their self-esteem as they age and spend time with their peers, school sports are an excellent way to build their confidence and help them realize their potential. Their confidence can help them fearlessly navigate challenges in adulthood.
5. Reduced Stress
School and changing relationships can cause stress, making it harder to accomplish goals. School sports can help relieve stress by releasing endorphins. Sports can also help children and teens focus on their goals and take their minds off their stressors.
6. Sense of Community
Participating in school sports allows children to engage with their community and gives them a sense of belonging. Many children feel isolated from their peers, but sports give them a community of their own. They'll learn to communicate while representing their school and creating healthy rivalries. The sense of pride children and teens feel representing their school can help them feel like they belong.
7. Preparation for the Future
If you want your children to be ready for the future, first, you must prepare them. School sports can help children and teens prepare for their future by teaching them necessary skills, whether they decide to go to college or enter the workforce after they graduate. Many colleges are looking for extracurricular involvement from their applicants, and school sports can give your children an edge against other applicants.
Take School Sports to the Next Level With VCRNOW
VCRNOW is passionate about school athletic programs and the students who participate in them, so we want to help make each moment as memorable as possible. An old scoreboard just won't do it. Would you rather have an old, boring scoreboard or something truly special to commemorate your team's achievement? Your school's scoreboard should be just as memorable as the game itself, and we can help.
VCRNOW has more than just the standard, boring scoreboard. Our LED scoreboards can help you foster pride, school spirit and success in your school's athletes. Make the most of your athletic games with one of our LED scoreboards. You can contact a team member with questions or for help finding the best scoreboard.
