College athletes don’t just arrive on campus as freshmen and decide “Hey, I think I’ll join my school’s (insert sport) team.” To reach their elite level, college athletes most likely have played their sport for the majority of their lives: rising early for swim practice or spending hours in the driveway honing their jump shot past dark. So what effect does a lifetime of team sports have on a child? Let’s look at some of the benefits.
—Positive mentors. A great coach can influence an athlete’s life in countless ways. “When kids have early, positive experiences with coaches, they continue to seek out and learn from mentors who can help them with school, jobs, and other interests,” writes education.com contributor Lucy Rector Filppu. Being taught by a smart, supportive coach helps kids learn that if they’ll listen to an expert (and not just insist they already know everything) they’ll likely get better. A great lesson for being “coachable” in sports AND life!
—The 3 “P’s”. They’re kinda like the 3 R’s, which give children the basics they’ll need to begin their academic lives. Likewise, the 3 P’s — practice, patience and persistence — equip kids with the skills they’ll need to become composed, ambitious adults. “Whether it’s showing up to practice when you’d rather be home playing Legos, waiting your turn on the sidelines, or doing the same drill over and over again, the three ‘P’s’ of team sports translate into important life lessons,” writes Rector Filppu.
Check out this great article to learn lots more benefits of team sports. It’s truly remarkable how sports can impact a person’s life long-term!