Written by Madison Sieperda, Spirit Lake, IA
Numb fingertips, a spinning head, and a body that feels like noodles; pushing further seems impossible, but yet the finish line is in view. Turning back is out of the question.
Courtesy: therapeuticassociates.com
Sports are essential for learning basic life skills. “I can honestly say that playing sports has helped me with my confidence, with learning how to play and interact with others along with allowing me to experience things I don’t know if I would’ve had been able to experience,” says Tamika Catchings of the WNBA’s Indiana Fever.
But sports participation isn’t as broadly based as one might imagine. Student participation drops by almost 20% from middle school to high school. That means nearly a quarter of today’s youth will not experience athletic competition in high school.
What are they missing? Perseverance, for one thing, which is an important life-attribute. It takes perseverance to compete. Take swimming. Competitive swimming requires the right mind set—the biggest part of any race is mental preparation.
Courtesy: tobefree.wordpress.com
Sports also build character. Consider what John Wooden, the legendary UCLA basketball coach, had to say: “Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.”
For some, sports are just a game. But sports are much more than that. Sports teach essential life skills, things like determination, preparation, and time management.
Essence Carson, a professional basketball player, once that her involvement with sports allowed her “to not only develop teamwork skills needed in business, but to grow as a leader.”
What’s the take-away message?
Courtesy: www.womenssportsfoundation.org
Look around and take note: sports really make a difference.
