The Importance of Playing Sports as a Teenager:

            Every year, millions of children around the world grow up never learning how to play sports. Over the last few decades, the United States and other parts of the world have seen a dramatic decrease in the number of children playing sports, whether that be competitively or recreationally. Our screens play a big role in that statistic. Over the past few years, more and more teenagers have opted out of recreational or even competitive sports in order to play video games or focus on schoolwork.

            Sports provide teenagers with skillsets that they cannot achieve anywhere else. Teenagers playing sports are able to work better with a team, able to work and communicate well with others, and are simply better equipped for the challenges they inevitably face every day.

            A common misconception of youth sports is that the purpose of such activities is physical exercise. This is commonly replaced as children grow into teenagers for phones, televisions, and schoolwork. Sports are not simply a means to get exercise and lose fat. They are a great way as a teenager to connect with other kids the same age (something that is also on the decline because of social media) and build relationships. Some of the strongest relationships that we come to build in our lives are the ones that began on the court, field, or rink.

            Teenagers who play sports are also generally in much better mental health. Just the act of getting outside with friends and family is enough to clear the mind for hours. In a world where so much of our time and energy is spent worrying about exams and homework, the benefits to an hour playing sports every day is invaluable.

            Finally, sports help teenagers develop character and strength that will be with them for the rest of their lives. Sports aren’t just about exercise, they are about developing skills through hard work and discipline. They are about working through problems with one’s peers in order to achieve a desired result.

            The time to play sports is now. Although we may have less homework in ten years time, the worries and stresses of being an adult in a big world often prevent people of this age to begin playing sports again. The time is now, when our worlds are small enough to enjoy the little things, and our brains are big enough to understand that the little games we play will have an impact for a lifetime.

• James S., 11th Grade