Over the past two weeks, I was fortunate enough to attend the Division 1 School Swim Meet.
The competition and racing were fierce. We had all the best schools in Hong Kong fight for swimming dominance. But what blew me away was the atmosphere. Each school has its cheer squad.
War cries were sung passionately, school flags waving from the top tier of the Kowloon Park swimming pool, and the pride each supporter and swimmer had for the school was on show.
It reminds me a lot of home and schoolboy rugby. You would see hundreds of students wearing school blazers and hats, singing the school song and war cries, and standing together as a united front. Parents and alums would come and show their support together.
It got me thinking: why is school sports so important?
Sports are a great way to unite and develop team building among students. It allows students to socialize and create networks outside of the classroom. It teaches the importance of teamwork and can connect students from different backgrounds and social groups by enabling them to work toward a common goal.
By taking part in sports at school, students will have the opportunity to express themselves outside of the classroom. The dynamics of sports will allow students to understand winning and losing and how to deal with setbacks and obstacles. It helps reduce students' stress levels and lets them focus on having fun and staying in the moment with their teammates.
Discipline can be defined as the ability to behave and work in a controlled way that involves particular standards. Sports in school give students physical outlet. It teaches them self-discipline, the importance of working towards a goal and dedicating their time to training and playing.
Research has found that children who participated in school sports were better at following instructions and staying focused in the classroom.
Sports are an excellent way of boosting a student's self-esteem and confidence. A handshake from a coach, a high five from your teammates or opponent, and words of praise from parents, teachers, and friends can go a long way in boosting self-esteem.
Students will also learn to welcome constructive criticism and be encouraged to work on their weaknesses until they see improvement and success.
Through school sports, students will receive a lot of positive mentoring from coaches and support staff. They will taught how to manage their emotions and perform better, which will help them develop a positive mindset. Through mentoring, they will learn the importance of respect and that achieving your goals requires discipline and hard work.
In most places around the world, sports in schools are non-existent. This could be down to a lack of facilities and resources or the size of the school, or some may prioritize learning over sports.
As a sports coach, I have seen the positive effects school sports can have on students. It has the power to unite the school and its surrounding communities and can positively affect students' learning inside the classroom.
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