Why should our St Martin’s children play sport?
Sports, whether team-based or individual, are a great activity for our children that provide a
variety of benefits other than physical activity. Participation in sports can help build selfesteem and confidence, can motivate children to excel academically and can help build social
skills. Participation also can teach children the benefits of goal-setting and practice.
You’ve no doubt heard about the developing obesity problem in South Africa. Childhood
rates have skyrocketed in the last few decades. It’s no wonder, really. Children just don’t get
out and play like they used to. If we don’t figure this problem out and find a solution, these
overweight children are going to grow up to be overweight adults. And that means heart
disease, diabetes, and a host of other health issues which could merely be passed down from
generation to generation – most of which could have been avoided through a healthy, active
lifestyle.
An old Danish proverb states that, “fresh air impoverishes the doctor.” The problem is that
there are so many indoor entertainments competing for our children’s attention. Video games
and television are just the tip of the iceberg. As they get a little older, they quickly add social
networking and texting to the mix. While eliminating these diversions completely isprobably
just a pipedream, there are good reasons to limit their use and counter their influence. But
how?
Getting your child involved in team sports can help.
I have been doing extensive reading on this subject, and below is a summary of the main
benefits that all well - known and respected Sport Science researchers agree on:
Physical activity:
Physical activity is the most obvious benefit of sports participation. Children often spend too
much time watching television or playing video games. Sports practices and games provide
an opportunity for exercise that can help keep our children in shape and healthy.
Social skills and socializing:
Sports participation can help children develop social skills that will benefit them throughout
their entire lives. They learn to interact not only with other children their age, but also with
older individuals in their coaches and staff from other schools. Children learn leadership
skills, team-building skills and communication skills that will help them in school, their
future career and personal relationships.
Self esteem and self confidence:
Participation in sports can have a huge positive impact on a child’s self-esteem and
confidence. Children who participate in sports get praise and encouragement from coaches
and parents, which helps to build self-confidence. They also learn to trust in their own
abilities and push themselves. Constructive criticism is also a major part of sports
participation, and young athletes learn to accept such criticism and use it to their benefit. The
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry suggests that parents be actively
involved, but only on a positive note, to ensure that children get the most out of sports
participation.
As difficult as it may be at times, it is vitally important that we, as parents must always back
up and reinforce what the coach says. Disagreements between Parents and coaches must
never happen in front of the child.
Self-confidence: This is our view on our own abilities to do something. The level of selfconfidence is usually a result of overcoming certain obstacles or working to improve a skill.
Triumph in establishing these traits and skills builds on our confidence.
Self-esteem: This is our perception of ourselves. The level of self-esteem is a result of social
norms and what we believe ourselves to be. People who have high levels of self-esteem are
comfortable in their own skin and are happy with what they see in the mirror.
Team sports are significantly important to young girls entering adolescence. A very selfconscious time for girls, they are often bombarded with unattainable physical images in
magazines, on television and on the internet. Sports can help young girls realize self-worth
outside their appearance and direct their focus toward goals that are more rewarding on the
inside.
Academic achievement:
It is no surprise that children who participate in sport, show a definite improvement in their
academic achievement. They can apply the same principles of dedication and hard work
learned through sports participation to their studies. I read an article published on the website
America, which conducted a 5 year long study, and came to the conclusion that “playing on a
high school sports team increases a young person’s chances of graduating from college by 41
percent” – definitely a worthwhile exercise!
Children who are physically fit are able to concentrate for longer periods, their memory
improves, as well as their sleep patterns – all of which contribute to a better experience
during the academic part of their day.
Working with Others:
Team sports teach children how to work well with others. While on a team, children must
think of a group as a whole instead of just as themselves as individuals. They learn to be
happy for their teammates’ successes in addition to their own, because every person’s
success benefits the team. They learn to interact with peers and respect their fellow
teammates and coaches. They are able to learn empathy for others.
Playing sports is a way for kids to learn from positive mentors other than parents. On a team,
a child learns to respect the coach and honour his final decisions. That sense of organization,
teamwork and following a skilled leader will help him in the classroom and the workplace as
he or she grows.
Life Skills:
A child or adolescent playing a team sport has the ability to learn essential life skills that he
will carry throughout adulthood. Sports often provide valuable learning experiences and
teach hard work, patience, persistence, focus and discipline. Children are taught how to
respond appropriately to setbacks and failure. They realize that having a strong work ethic
toward the sport will bring about good results. They have to learn how to balance school and
athletics and, as they get older, part-time jobs as well. In fact, it has been shown that children
who participate in team sports are more likely to be hard-working students and better future
workers as adults.
Tips for Parents:
It is important for you as a parent to be involved from the beginning to ensure that your child
is having a positive experience playing sport. While the benefits are numerous, there is still
the possibility that an over- zealous coach, or bully, can sour the experience for the child.
Also, it may take many attempts to find the right sport, but knowing why a child wants to
play helps guide the child toward the activity that makes the most of his talents. The
American Academy of Paediatricsrecommends age six as the earliest to enter a child into
sports, as free play is most important before then. After age six, the child will likely want to
have fun and make new friends in a sporting environment.
In conclusion, team sports can develop a large range of skills and give a child confidence,
self-esteem and independence. With the right focus of both parents and coaches, the CoCurricular programme can give our children a way to discover their talents in a healthy
environment. With the social, physical and mental health benefits, as well as life experience,
team sports can lay the foundation outside of school to ensure a child is on their way to
becoming a well-rounded, self-assured adult.
Regards
Gary May