During the spring and fall I’m always outside watching my kids play soccer, and in the summer I’m out in the heat watching my daughter play softball. I grew up playing softball, volleyball and dancing and I loved every minute of it. I’m so glad that my children choose to play sports for many different reasons. I knew that my boys would probably like sports, just because ever since they were little they have been very active and sports was something they needed in their life to channel all that energy into. I wasn’t sure about my girls. I wasn’t sure if they would choose to dance or play sports but I hoped they would choose one activity that kept them physically active.
I think it’s so important for boys and girls to get up and get outside and play. I’m all for equality and empowerment! Girls are just as tough, fast, confident, athletic, and good as the boys. A goal is a goal, no matter who makes it. Recently though, I learned 6 times more girls than boys drop out of playing sports at around the age of 14. This is a sad statistic. I think girls should continue sports on through college and throughout their lives. And here’s why . . .
1. Sports teach valuable life skills to our daughters.One of the hardest lessons my girls have had to learn is that some girls are downright mean. Some girls are jealous and some girls like all the attention. When you are part of a team, you learn how to work as a team. You learn that pettiness and jealousy have no place on the team. Everyone works together and helps each other out. Everyone has their job to do and if they don’t do it, then the team doesn’t win. Learning to work with coaches, team moms, and teammates to achieve goals teaches our girls how to be successful in a group setting. My girls have learned to be cooperative and loyal in this group setting and they are learning important life skills for future jobs and careers they will have later on in life.
2. Sports keep them healthy. This is a no brainer. But let’s not just focus on physical health, let’s focus on mental health too. Getting outside in the fresh air and putting down devices is the first step to mental health. Sports do that for our kids. In addition to being physically fit, girls who play sports are less likely to smoke and drink. They are too busy to get into trouble and they value their physical bodies more than those who don’t play competitive sports. Playing sports also helps girls eat healthier by helping them focus on food as a fuel rather than entertainment. My daughters drink way more water than soda when they are playing sports and they focus on eating food that will give them the right kind of energy they need to get through a game.
I’ve teamed up with Niagara Water to bring awareness to how amazing girls sports programs are! I love to have a case full of Niagara Water in my trunk at all times for my kids. We usually forget to grab the refillable water bottle from home, so keeping them in my trunk was the best idea ever!
Right now, Niagara Water is having the #GirlUpSweeps. Show us your girl power! You can enter to win a soccer scholarship of your choice! All you need to do is take an awesome pic of your girl playing soccer, upload the picture on Twitter or Instagram and tag it #GirlUpSweeps, and that’s it! You are entered to win. Or you can upload a picture and learn more about the sweeps rules HERE sponsored by Niagara Water. And be sure to watch the video on what it means to GIRLUP.
3. Sports boost their self-esteemand help them learn to deal with disappointment. On the whole, girls tend to have lower self-esteem than boys. Girls are also particularly likely to be critical of themselves, with one-quarter of older girls reporting that they did not like or hated themselves. Sports help girls think about their personal best. Girls who play sports also tend to be more optimistic. Girls who participate in sports have higher self-esteem and pride in themselves. Why? It builds confidence when you know you can practice, improve, and achieve your goals.
4. Sports help our girls academically. Girls who play sports have, on average, higher grade point averages, better SAT scores, lower high-school dropout rates and a better chance of staying in college—which will lead to more girls attending college in the future. Exercise improves learning, memory, and concentration, which can give active girls an advantage in the classroom.
5. Sports are fun. It’s fun to get out there on the field or court with your best friends. It’s fun to work on improving and it’s fun to hear the cheers from the sidelines for your team. It’s fun for the family to get outside and watch their siblings play. The grins on their faces when they accomplish a goal or do something they never have before is so rewarding even if they weren’t the first to cross that finish line or win the game. It’s all such a rewarding experience.
6. Sports help girls learn leadership skills. All of us have the potential to lead and excel in at least one area of our life. Leadership skills are critical to career success. Team sports can help girls identify their strengths as leaders.
7. Playing sports can lessen stress and the pressures of being a young adult.They also help you feel a little happier. How? The brain chemicals released during exercise improve a person’s mood. Have you ever noticed how much better you feel about yourself after you’ve exercised?
8. Playing sports helps girls make friends.Friends are a mood-lifter. Being on a team creates tight bonds between friends. It’s good to know your teammates will support you both on and off the field! Knowing that they belong to a team helps our girls feel important.
Do you have a daughter that plays soccer? Head over to Niagara Water and submit her picture to win a scholarship at the soccer camp of your choice!
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