SPECIAL SECTION: FOR YOUR HEALTH
From ball sports like AFL to lesser-known pursuits like dragon boat racing, there are dozens of team sports to choose from. The problem? According to a recent report, more Australians now choose to watch sport than play it – and when you consider the health benefits team sports can deliver, that’ s a shame. Here’ s what you’ ll gain by signing yourself – or your kids – up to play this year.
1. Physical benefits
Any exercise helps to improve health markers, but more than half of us aren’ t hitting recommended physical activity targets. Shayne Hanks is a sport and exercise psychologist and says this is where team sport really shines.“ One of the fundamental things a team sport brings is that it’ s fun and it’ s social,” he says.“ So it’ s almost exercise by stealth. This, as well as feeling like you’ d let the side down if you don’ t show up, adds to the likelihood of people sticking with it.”
Research backs that up. Studies show people involved in team sports enjoy it more and are more‘ intrinsically motivated’ to keep going thanks to the social nature of teams.
2. Social benefits
On top of the obvious social aspect of team sports, when colleagues play together, research shows workplace communication improves. Similarly, a recent University of Tasmania study found that by helping children develop attributes like altruism and empathy, playing team sport promotes the civic values that are key to a functional, caring society.
Fiona Gathercole is the director of Team Sports 4 All, an organisation that assists families experiencing financial hardship in getting their kids involved in team sport. She’ s seen firsthand the difference it can make.
“ A sports club can become a positive home away from home,” she says.“ One mum recently told me her daughter was struggling academically and getting down on herself, but she was excelling at gymnastics, which was helping her stay motivated at school. In the
36 | JAN / FEB 2023 COSTCO CONNECTION