Good Sports for Girls: That are Play for fun and fitness

For a long time, it has been believed that boys have more interest in sports than girls. This is however just a myth without facts to prove it. In fact, during the younger years, girls show just as much interest in sports as boys do. A combination of factors such as lack of peer group support, lack of encouragement and lack of opportunity is what makes them abandon sports activities at a rate that is twice greater than that of boys. In most cases, if a girl is never exposed to any sports activity by the age of 10, it is also most likely that they will not participate later in life.

Participation in sports provides girls with a range of benefits that extend beyond staying in great shape and having fun. It gives them improved self-esteem, facilitates better social interactions and supports good mental health. And the good news is that almost any sport can be good for girls, even the male-dominated choices like wrestling and powerlifting. To get the right sport for girls, exploration is important. Let her try out as many sports as she can before zeroing in on the one that best matches her personality, skills, and interests. Below we discuss some good sports for girls; a wide range of solo and team sports.

Swimming

Swimming is a low impact aerobic sport that can help build long, lean muscles while maintaining a healthy weight. It also helps you deal with stress by giving you a sense of accomplishment and increasing feelings of self-worth. As you glide through the water, your mind eases off worries and this opens a channel for social interaction. Girls that participate in swimming are able to enjoy its therapeutic benefits that can help them navigate through everyday life hurdles. It can also be performed solo or as a team.

Soccer

Soccer is a popular sport all over the world, and this makes it easy for girls to participate in. You will find a soccer team in almost every community and school. This means that once a girl starts to play, there is a chance for them to playing it all through her schooling years. Soccer is also played by both sexes, and this provides girls with the opportunity to interact with both genders. It is also a relatively inexpensive sport and therefore parents do not need to worry about being able to support their daughters in the sport. Participation in soccer will improve self-esteem and confidence. Since it is a team sport, it helps creates strong social bonds that lead to lasting friendships and connections. The importance of team effort is also emphasized, teaching girls to work together for a common good.

Gymnastics

This is a sport requiring intense skills and dedication. It is best to start practicing the sport in childhood and slowly develop into the routine. The benefits of gymnastics extend beyond the physical, and molds a child both socially and academically. The sport does not have to be performed competitively which allows your child focus on its objectives rather than outshining others. Girls participating in gymnastics learn how to be self-dependent from a really young age. They get to develop a warm and pleasant personality due to the social interactions involved. Being that it is not an easy sport, girls get to understand the importance of endurance in order to achieve their goals. This skill, when carried over to the classroom yields impressive results too.

Volleyball

This is an involving sport for girls that train all their senses and challenge their skills. During play, one is expected to serve, pass, set, attack, block and dig the ball, all within a short time. To be good, a player is forced to develop balance, speed, flexibility, and stamina. Since it is a team sport, it teaches girls how to co-operate with others and work as a team. There is also the bond that grows between players to form a network for support for each other. These skills stay with the players even later in life, allowing them form healthy relationships with other people. Like any other physical activity, volleyball can be a fun exercise for girls to help them reduce stress and anxiety. It also helps manage mood swings by causing the brain to release endorphins, the chemical in the brain responsible for making us feel happy.

Tennis

Tennis is a social sport, and by encouraging girls to engage in it, you are helping them have an active social life. Players will always shake hands after a game, as a sign of sportsmanship. It is a simple act of acknowledging each player’s effort and this can create confidence among girls. The competitive edge of the sport makes one want to better themselves, this creates ambition and the determination to achieve different goals in life. It is also a fun game to play that allows the player to relax and improve their mood. Playing tennis will over time improve balance and flexibility, which does a lot of good, physically.

The scene at a tennis court presents a somewhat inappropriate behavior where players may yell, cry, throw their rackets or even curse, and this may lead you to question its impact on a girl’s emotional wellness. No need to worry, as this unseemly behavior is actually just a channel to let out frustrations and deal with the intensity of the fast-paced game.

Basketball

To be effective at basketball, you constantly have to figure out ways to support your teammates during the game. Girls playing the game are challenged to assume leadership roles and guide and motivate their team for the best performance. Playing basketball also allows girls expand their social networks. They get to meet other girls sharing the enthusiasm for the sport but with other different skills and personalities. And since the whole game is a team effort, girls develop an incredible work ethic, where they strive to give their best. These lessons are carried all through life to foster a productive, reliable and well-networked woman.

Cheerleading

For some people, cheerleading may not be a sport, but considering the athletic ability required, it well matches up to other sports activities. Besides the glam and cheer, cheerleading holds a number of benefits for girls that choose to engage in it. Of course, you have to be in good mood to be able to cheer a team to victory. But you also need to learn values such as dedication, teamwork, and preparation, if you are to excel as a cheerleader. Through the wins, the loss and long hours of practice, cheerleaders act as a social support system among themselves and the community too. They always radiate positive energy and know-how to get others to get involved and be part of their joyful activities. With this comes great confidence and improved self-esteem that opens doors for other opportunities in life.