A team sport is a form of competitive sports that involves multiple players working as a group (or a team) to achieve a common goal. These goals may be defined as winning a game, or improving in certain technical aspects of the sport. In practice, teams are usually comprised of a fixed number of members, but in competition matches, members can be substituted from the roster to meet a variety of exigencies. Examples of team sports include football, basketball, rugby, cricket, lacrosse, water polo, handball and baseball.
One of the most important skills children learn from playing team sports is how to work with others. Athletes are constantly paired with a diverse slate of teammates, many of whom become positive role models in their lives. These mentors teach kids about the importance of respect for self and others, how to make good decisions in a group, and how to take and give constructive feedback.
Team athletes are also exposed to the value of time management. They learn how to balance homework, practice, family time, and rest, all while striving for excellence in their sports. This helps kids develop organization and time management skills that will serve them well in the classroom and their adult careers.
In addition, many team athletes learn the value of hard work and perseverance. They know that if they put in the work, they can reach their goals and be proud of what they have accomplished. These skills will serve them well in the workplace, where they will often be called upon to pull an all-nighter to get a project done on deadline.
Research has found that team sports can have a variety of benefits for youth, including physical health, social connections, emotional regulation, life satisfaction, higher grades at school and lower risk-taking behaviours such as substance abuse. However, it is difficult to pinpoint whether the benefits are due to the team aspect of the sport or because participants are generally healthier to begin with.
Despite the benefits of team sport, only 21% of girls in England meet recommended levels of physical activity. Interventions that promote participation in team sports can be effective, but they must take into account gender-based factors that influence girls’ attitudes and behaviors toward physical activity. In particular, girls may be less inclined to participate in team sports because of the perception that it is “boys’ sport.” This article aims to identify the characteristics of interventions that are most likely to increase participation in team sport by girls and discuss potential strategies for increasing the effectiveness of these interventions. Specifically, this article will look at interventions that have been implemented in educational contexts and those that are designed for girls aged 11-18 years.