High school is not always easy. Not only are classes harder, you also have to deal with new teachers, a bigger school building, and the difficult task of expanding your circle of friends. But high school can be a fun, exciting time if you surround yourself with the right people. Luckily, joining a sports team can help you build strong friendships, enhance your self-esteem, and contribute to your overall high school experience. Here are the top three ways playing sports can help young women make the best of your high school experience.
1. Meet lifelong friends
Sometimes high school friendships are based on superficial things. You may have already encountered some fair-weather friends who are only there for you when it’s convenient for them, or friends who gossip about you behind your back. You don’t need these toxic relationships in your life; high school is stressful enough as it is! When you work together on a sports team, however, you learn to rely on your fellow teammates. You don’t want to let each other down, and this builds a solid network of trust. Your teammates will be there for you when the going gets tough, and they expect you to be there for them too.
2. Sports teaches you respect
Sports can be humbling. If you aren’t used to taking orders, high school sports can teach you to respect your coach or team captains. It’s important to realize that they want the best for you, and they often know what’s best for the team. Even if you don’t want to run those extra laps, you will learn to respect the wishes of the team, and in the end, you’ll start to respect yourself. You may also see changes in your relationships outside the team; sports can help you get along with your teachers, parents, or siblings, because you learn how to become a more considerate, respectful young woman.
3. Have fun
High school is all about learning to strike a balance. If you spend all your time studying, you might have stellar grades, but you probably won’t be happy. Participating in a high school sports team can help you take the time you need to have fun and stop worrying about schoolwork. Whether you are running up and down the basketball court or trying to beat your best time in a swim competition, you will learn to relax and focus on the game. Making time for fun activities can also help you manage your study schedule. When you learn to balance your fun activities with schoolwork, you’ll be better able to plan ahead, and you’ll feel less stressed as a result.
High school sports help many girls survive high school. Joining sports teams not only allows young women to make solid friendships, learn respect, and have fun, but sports programs also help high school girls learn how to integrate an active, healthy lifestyle into their busy study schedule. Participating in high school sports can ultimately help girls develop into respectful, healthy young women.1