One of my friends asked “Why do you pay so much money for your kids to do all their sports”? Well I have a confession to make; I don’t pay for my kids to to do sports. Personally, I couldn’t care less about what sport they do.
So, if I am not paying for sports what am I paying for?
– I pay for those moments when my kids become so tired they want to quit but don’t.
– I pay for those days when my kids come home from school and are “too tired” to go to their training but they go anyway.
– I pay for my kids to learn to be disciplined, focused and dedicated.
– I pay for my kids to learn to take care of their body and equipment.
– I pay for my kids to learn to work with others and to be good team mates, gracious in defeat and humble in success.
– I pay for my kids to learn to deal with disappointment, when they don’t get that placing or title they’d hoped for, but still they go back week after week giving it their best shot.
– I pay for my kids to learn to make and accomplish goals.
– I pay for my kids to respect, not only themselves, but other athletes, officials and coaches.
– I pay for my kids to learn that it takes hours and hours, years and years of hard work and practice to create a champion and that success does not happen overnight.
– I pay for my kids to be proud of small achievements, and to work towards long term goals.
– I pay for the opportunity my kids have and will have to make life-long friendships, create lifelong memories, to be as proud of their achievements as I am.
– I pay so that my kids can be out on the field or in the gym instead of in front of a screen…
…I could go on but, to be short, I don’t pay for sports; I pay for the opportunities that sports provides my kids with to develop attributes that will serve them well throughout their lives and give them the opportunity to bless the lives of others. From what I have seen so far I think it is a great investment!
~Unknown
Joining a high school team is like stepping onto a path filled with rewards that go beyond the game itself. It’s about building skills and qualities that can lead to success in life after high school. Here’s why being part of a sports team is a great thing: 
Being Disciplined and Hardworking:
Playing sports means practicing regularly and giving it your all. This teaches how important it is to be on time, work hard, and stick to your goals – qualities that work well in any job or situation.
Managing Time Well:
Handling schoolwork, practice, and games helps kids learn how to manage their time. Any parent with a young, growing family knows exactly how important time management is.
Teamwork and Working Together:
Team sports are about working together, talking to each other, and getting along. These skills are important no matter what you do, because most jobs involve working with others.
Being a Leader:
Teams have leaders who inspire others and show the way. Learning to be a leader on the field can help you be a leader in other parts of your life too.
Bouncing Back from Challenges:
Football teaches you how to handle tough situations and keep going. This is helpful when things don’t go your way in life – you’ll know how to bounce back.
Solving Problems and Making Quick Decisions:
In football, quick decisions can change the game. Learning to think fast and solve problems is helpful in many careers.
Staying Fit and Healthy:
Football is all about being active and healthy. Staying in shape is good for your body and can help you stay healthy for a long time.
Setting Goals and Achieving Them:
Football players set goals and work hard to reach them. This skill helps you aim high and achieve things in school and beyond.
Making Friends and Building Connections:
Being on a team means meeting lots of different people. These connections can help you later in life, no matter what job you have.
Building a Strong Character:
Football teaches you to be honest, fair, and respectful. These qualities guide you in making good choices in everything you do.
Performing Under Pressure:
Football can get intense, just like real life. Learning to stay cool under pressure helps you deal with tough situations anywhere.
Helping Others and Giving Back:
Many football teams do things to help the community. Being part of this helps you learn how important it is to care for others.
Even if they don’t become professional athletes, and it’s safe to say most won’t, the skills and values they learn from being on a high school team can make a big difference in whatever they choose to do. These lessons they learn and the qualities and traits they develop will help them become someone who’s skilled, well-rounded, and ready to succeed in any path they take.
