Why Are Intramural Sports Important for Middle School Students?

Sports can be an important part of your child's development during her formative years. The lessons learned while participating can last long after the games are over and can be applied to many other areas of life. If your child doesn't want athletics to be the primary focus of her life and just wants to play for fun, intramural sports can provide that opportunity.

Participating in any sport provides the opportunity to build your self-esteem. As a part of the team, the other members rely on you to play a certain role. Having this responsibility, and even just getting the opportunity to play can build confidence and self-esteem. Sports allow you to challenge yourself and attempt things outside your comfort zone. This confidence can carry into other areas of your life and make you a happier, healthier person.

Athletics can be pressure packed if you are expected to perform at a high level each and every day. Middle school sanctioned sports teams often practice every day and travel to play away games. Intramural sports let you play without having to worry about fully committing to your chosen sport. Intramural sports teams generally don't require you to be at practices. so you would be free to play basketball on an intramural team and in the school band.

The most important aspect of intramural sports is that it offers the opportunity to stay physically active. Being physically fit gives you a better body image and lowers the risk of obesity and other health problems. Research done by the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports shows that kids who participate in athletics are less likely do drugs and suffer from depression. Participating in athletics also decreases the likelihood of disease later in life, research shows.

Many studies have shown that participation in athletics helps academic performance. Playing a sport teaches lessons about working hard and persevering, and most programs require a certain grade point average to participate. If you want to play a sport, you have to make the grade. The expectation to make good grades leads to good study habits that you can carry through the rest of your schooling. Kids who participate in sports while growing up are often more likely to graduate from college.