Around the world, people of all ages and backgrounds come together to play team sport. This group physical activity supports social interaction and allows individuals to think with a team perspective. It can also teach us accountability — for example, if we miss a practice or are late for a game, our group mates will be expecting us. This can help prevent snoozing when it comes to hitting the gym, and can act as a natural motivator for staying active throughout our lives.
The most important thing that team sports can teach us is how to work well with other people. It is a great way to learn cooperation, respect, commitment, confidence, patience and more. These skills are very useful in both the playing arena and the workplace.
Working with teammates can also be a good way to learn to deal with disappointments. It is normal for all athletes to experience loss in their games or careers, and learning how to cope with this without dwelling on it or letting it derail them can be an invaluable life lesson.
Aside from the skills learned on the field, team sports teach children how to prepare for competitions and what it means to be a part of a real-life team. They can also teach them how to make decisions in a high-pressure situation, and how to problem solve on the fly. This is an important life skill, which can be applied in all areas of our lives, including the workplace and even our homes.
