Team Sports Research Paper

"Sports do not build character. They reveal it" (John Wooden, member of the Basketball Hall of Fame). This simple seven word quote explains exactly what many coaches and athletes all over the world at any level already know. But sports have more than just the benefit of discovering one-self. Many children enroll in various team sports each year and continue to do so, and for good reasons. Not only is being physically active beneficial for children in the present and in the future, but playing team sports instills lifelong friendships and communication skills as well as a better sense of self-worth and independence. First of all, physical activity in general is very beneficial to kids of all ages. From a young age, kids learn to make
By playing on a team, kids have to opportunity to meet other kids with the same interests as they do making it a lot easier to have conversations. According to Dr. Micheli, director of Sports Medicine at Children's Hospital Boston, "these kids can get all the enjoyment that comes from having that kind of camaraderie, and they'll make some of the best friends in their lives through their sports teams." As well as building lifelong friendships, children who play on sports teams learn about the fundamentals of communication and interaction with others. Ariel Botta, LICSW, clinical social worker and coordinator of the Group Therapy Team in Children's Department of Psychiatry agrees that "team sports can be beneficial in fostering physical, social and emotional growth in all children." By achieving this through sports, young adolescents have an advantage other others. These are very important assets if one wants to do well and succeed in the
Many pre-teen girls are already faced with all the negative and unhealthy role models and lack self-assurance which they can gain by playing on a team. Studies have shown that "girls who participate in physical activity such as sports are more likely to have more positive self-worth, then girls who are not very physically active" (Boone). By being placed in a positive environment, young adolescents can relate to each other and help each other out. Furthermore, physical activities helps children stay focused and set priorities. Various studies have shown that students who participate in "regular physical activity" have "greater academic performances" compared to those who do not (Bilich). Student athletes understand the need to organize their lives and be responsible. By being more pro-active athletes have a better chance at succeeding in