Sports can offer many health benefits, including physical, mental, social, and even educational benefits. 

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Mental:

• A correlation has been found between regular exercise and mental health

• A 2019 study found that children who reported no exercise were twice as likely to have mental health problems, particularly related to anxiety and depression, compared with those who met the recommendation of an hour a day, and a 2020 study suggested that the more physical activity teenagers participated in, the less likely they were to report depression as 18-year-old. 

• The loss of sports during COVID-19 hurt the mental health of many children. One in four youth sports parents said their child’s mental health suffered.

• Physical activity, and sports in particular, can positively affect aspects of personal development among young people, such as self-esteem, goal-setting, and leadership.

Social:

• Participation in K-12 sports can have a significant — and often life-long — positive impact on students. For many children, one of the key distinctions between a positive youth sports experience and a negative one is the support and mentorship of a qualified coach. Coaches not only teach kids the basics and foster a love of sport, but serve as role models, demonstrating leadership, creating inclusive environments, and teaching valuable life lessons.