- Healthy physical development that fosters a positive attitude toward lifetime fitness
after the athlete’s high school career has ended.
- Enhanced psychological development. Sports provide
environments in which young people learn to compete and accept the outcomes of
competition. The establishment of
healthy attitudes toward winning and losing provides an opportunity for
character development. Winning should be
considered a by-product of a positive sport experience, and losing should be
seen as an opportunity for change, learning, and growth. The problem-solving process following a
losing effort can be a valuable character-developing process.
- Positive social development. Sports present
opportunities to teach honesty, respect for others, gracious winning and
losing, and responsibilities for one’s actions.
- Balance in life. Sports provide balance for work and school
demands while offering a healthy way for challenging and improving oneself.
