Importance of Involving Kids in Sport

Sport is an activity that is offered at almost every school these days and is widely accessible across the country. After school sport, weekend sport or even social sport is great for kids for a number of different reasons. 

Involving Kids in Sport

Here is why you should consider enrolling your child into sport next year:

1. Fundamental Movements

Challenging children from a young age to perform different types of movements -jumping, changing direction etc will give them a greater platform as they grow. As a coach, you will see the improvements daily which can then lead to gaining more confidence as an individual but also confidence in a group setting. Learning the basic movements and especially starting at a young age can help in the long run as your child grows and continues to play different sports.

2. Building Friendships/Relationships with New People

We find incorporating young people in sport at a young age can only help build their confidence before they then head into the start of there schooling years. Being able to interact and be social with new peers is something that will be with them for life. Albeit, it’s extremely daunting for a young person to meet new people, but with time and with the familiarity they will relish being in an environment which they could then make a new friend or two. 

3. Winning and Losing

As a coach, seeing how a child reacts after they’ve won or lost a game can tell us many things. It happens through life all the time, eg. (passing a math test but then failing). Being able to teach kids about winning and being a good winner but also understand that sometimes losses do happen and then having the resilient mindset to bounce back and continue to take on challenges. 

4. Learning Competition

Being able to compete in competitions is also great for their development in sport. Not only does it get them into the winning mentality mindset, but it can also have a different effect which is losing. If a loss happens, can you work harder back in training to get better so you can then perform at a higher level next time? Again it comes to life skills where you won’t always win. Being a gracious winner is even more important, being able to say “yes we were awesome today but what can I improve on” is also something you can then instil in a child. Not to get complacent because of one victory but to then work on the mistakes you were making to see if you can be better the next time you attempt it. 

5. Role Model

As a coach, being a role model to the kids is again the best way which can help a child’s development. Being passionate about what your teaching will rub off on the kids you are teaching. Engaging them at all times and making any sporting game fun will keep them loving any game and keeping them in sports for as long as possible. Having your child around inspiring and encouraging coaches will help them build confidence in the game and in themselves. 

6. Healthy Wellbeing

Probably the most important fact about sport is that exercise is guaranteed. Whatever sport they choose to play, as long as the child is running around, having fun with his or her friends, they are getting the right amount of exercise to remain fit and healthy. 

Great points, right? Of course, these are just some of the important reasons why you should encourage your kids to get involved in sports. Most kids are naturally attracted to anything sporty, especially if they have their parents’ full support.

 

Guest post by Dean Evans – Founder and Head Coach at The Football Centre