Importance of sport

Understanding the Value of Exercise

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Millions of American children and teenagers are overweight. This obesity epidemic has make the early onset of health problems such as diabetes more common. Participating in competitive youth sports burns calories and helps to prevent obesity. Additionally, many children who are active in sports are motivated to eat healthier foods, such as fruits and vegetables.
Improving Self-Esteem

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Improved self-esteem is another benefit of competitive youth sports. When a child wins a game with his team, he feels accomplished and recognized. Even when he doesn't win, he can learn a valuable lesson: that you can't win every time. Losing with his team can also increase self-esteem, as he learns to hold his head high and feel proud for trying his best.
Decreasing Risky Behavior
According to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, youth sports can help deter negative behavior, such as joining a gang, because competitive sports provide an outlet for expression, friendship and controlled aggression. Teens who have positive influences and friends feel less of a need to participate in risky behaviors.

From local parks in Kansas to the sandy beaches of Brazil, soccer is played by millions of children across the globe. Participating in a soccer league offers a constructive way for kids to have fun and provides an opportunity for families to spend quality time together. Soccer also helps children develop in myriad ways that benefit their physical and emotional wellbeing.

Becoming Fit
Learning the importance of daily exercise can help your child lead a healthier life. Soccer combines aerobic and anaerobic elements that require a high level of fitness in players. The required level of fitness helps children to maintain healthy body weight. Playing soccer also gives children the recommended amount of cardiovascular exercise necessary to maintain a healthy heart and lungs. Regular exercise builds muscle strength and increases energy levels.
Making Friends
This inclusive sport offers league play for both boys and girls. Soccer leagues are open to various age groups and allow children as young under-5s to compete. Thus children can be members of a team during critical development stages. The child learns important character building traits such as working hard to develop skills and good sportsmanship. Children also experience healthy peer-group interactions and learn how to build friendships during practices, games and team activities.