Sports for Children: More Than Just a Game

This weekend, I found myself on the sidelines of yet another basketball game. Not unusual — my son eats, sleeps, and breathes basketball. If dribbling were an Olympic sport, he’d already have sponsorships.

But this time, things were different. I wasn’t just “mum in the stands.” I was promoted to the elite role of bench crew: professional towel folder, water bottle filler, and part-time pep talker.

From my prime bench-warming position, I noticed something new. It wasn’t about my son sinking shots or fumbling passes. It was about the two coaches — and the impact they were quietly making.

Now, in a representative team, there’s pressure. These aren’t just Saturday arvo games — they’re resume-worthy. Wins look good. Stats look better. But here’s the thing: you can teach 10- and 11-year-olds the best plays in the world, and you still might lose every game. Because at this age, it’s not really about the scoreboard.

It’s about the people.

Sure, there were the expected moments: suicides up the court, missed layups, confused faces, and parents yelling from the stands (mostly cheers, with the occasional WTF was that?!). But from the bench, I saw something bigger: a group of boys who were kind, respectful, and genuinely good humans. They even high-fived the opposition at the free throw line. (Take note, professional athletes 👀).

And then there were the coaches:

• The Head Coach pacing up and down like a man whose daily step goal depended on it, endlessly reminding the boys of their positions — patient, firm, and persistent.

• The Assistant Coach waiting on the bench to catch the boys emotionally, talking them through the pressure and supporting them through the mental load.

A system. A partnership. And it worked.

Why This Matters

Research backs it up:

• Team sports boost resilience. A 2022 study found kids in team sports were 10% more likely to report higher life satisfaction than those in individual activities.

• Confidence grows on the court. Children who play organised sports show better self-esteem and social skills compared to peers who don’t.

• Mental health wins. According to the Journal of Adolescent Health, kids in team sports report lower anxiety and depression levels.

• Coach relationships matter. A positive coach can be as influential on a child’s confidence as a teacher — sometimes more, because they’re guiding them through high-pressure, real-time challenges.

So yes, sports teach teamwork, collaboration, discipline, and grit. But the hidden gold lies in those everyday interactions: the pat on the back, the quiet encouragement, the patient reminder after the 12th missed layup. These coaches aren’t just shaping players; they’re shaping people.

And as I sat there — folding towels like it was my calling — I realised: team sports might just be one of the best investments we make in our kids. Not for the points on the scoreboard, but for the life skills being coached from the sidelines.