BENEFITS OF YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAMS

There are many benefits from youth participation in organized sports, particularly the physical, social and personal benefits.

Physically, the benefits are quite obvious.  They include overall health improvement, coordination and fitness.  Exercise has long been recognized as a way to strengthen one's defenses against disease such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer and high blood pressure.  It has also been recognized as one of the best ways to lose weight and maintain bone and muscle health.

Socially, sports provide excellent educational opportunities because many of the social and moral requirements for participation in sports are parallel to how individuals must function in a law-abiding society.  If the discretionary time of youth is not devoted to positive skill-building activities (for example the ability to participate in games and sports), then the potential for involvement in socially unacceptable behavior is increased.

Personally, participation in sports provides self-satisfaction from belonging to a team. It has been proven that anxiety and stress can be reduced with sports participation.  In addition, participation in sports builds self-esteem and helps to prepare young people for everyday life by teaching responsibility, independence and leadership.

The Citizens Development Corps (CDC) is a non-profit organization that supports private sector development and economic growth in emerging and transitioning economies throughout the world by delivering practical strategies and solutions, high impact programs, and the expertise of experienced business professionals. 

CDC guidelines encourage active roles in promotion of physical activities by the entire community.  Parents, local governments, school administrators, teachers, coaches, and the general public must all play a role.  Prominent in their report is the role of physical education in the promotion of active lifestyles among children and adolescents.  

Among the recommendations of the CDC are:

1. Public policy makers must become educated about the significance of youth sports in the lives of youth outside of school.  Dedicated revenues for sports programs are a necessary means to avoid the fluctuations in funding by private and public funders.
2. Programs must be designed so that they revitalize communities as partners in the delivery of sports programs.
3. Communities must improve the condition and maintenance of facilities and sites so that they are attractive and safe for children and families.
4. A broad-based organization that unites the public/private sector of a city should be established to plan, develop, coordinate, maintain, and evaluate the municipality’s comprehensive youth sports program.

Site created and maintained by WSI e-Market Solutions, LLC | www.wsiemarketpro.com