What is Team Sport?

Team sport is a type of athletic competition in which a group of people (either one or more teams) is organized to compete against each other. This includes sports like basketball, rugby, water polo, baseball, cricket, handball, soccer, and hockey. Team sports differ from individual-based sports in that the number of participants in a match is fixed for the entire team and players are often substituted during a competition to make tactical changes, such as when someone is injured or exhausted.

Working with teammates teaches athletes to respect each other and understand that their unique talents contribute to the success of the whole team. This builds a positive self-image that will carry over into their lives outside of the playing field and help them to become well-rounded adults.

Taking part in team sport can inspire kids to push themselves physically and mentally. It is also an excellent way to meet new friends, many of whom they can continue to train and compete with into adulthood. This can lead to positive life outcomes including improved mental health, resilience to stress and depression, higher grades at school, and reduced risk-taking behaviours.

Team sports can also improve problem-solving skills as they force children to think creatively about how to overcome the challenges that they face in practice and during a game. They must be able to adapt their approach on the fly to suit the opposing team and find solutions that are both effective and safe.