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Adolescence is a time of self-development and a time that can make or break self-confidence. Team sports are not only a great way for teenagers to remain physically fit it is also a way to gain self-confidence and build up their academic skills. From personal experience, team sports can change some ones life. When I started high school, I was an extremely shy, barely talking kind of girl. I had my few close friends and I would never go out of the box. One could say I was in a shell. When I joined water polo my view on everything changed. My grades remained A’s and I was finally breaking out of my shell. I was showing my personality to the world. I have made life long friends with water polo and swimming and it has also changed my whole high school experience. Without water polo and the friends I made, I probably would still be a shy girl who never showed her true personality. Besides the obvious physical benefits from involvement in team sports, teen-age athletes also benefit both in terms of academic and social development. Team sports have a major effect on academics. Students who participate in team sports overall do better academically. Sports are a way students can release their feeling and be able to concentrate more on academics. It gives students a reason to due well in school or else they would be kicked off the team. All the findings in the interviews states that “not only due team sports increase the self-confidence, but also [there is] an improvement in GPA and a desire to attend college” (Perry 25). Ann Rosewater believes that sports are a gateway to achievement in school. Student who participate in sports have better grades and improved chances of attending college. Team sports all around have a history of keeping grades up, “sports affect key brain functions critical to learning” (Rosewater 51). An example of how sports can affect students positively is when Ryan Townsley created a snowboard activity for troubled children. “These programs are doing something right. ‘The kids’ social workers and counselors report a dramatic improvement in their schoolwork and behavior. ‘It really makes a difference when people encourage you,’ explains Jasmina” (Ogintz para 15). Team sports have many benefits but the first one is academic achievement. “Kids who participate in organized sports do better in school, have better interpersonal skills, are more team oriented, and are generally healthier” (Metzel para 7). Team sports also help you make right choices, stay away from illegal substances and learn great life skills such as team work, leadership and friendships. People who play sports are most likely to come out of it with life long friendships. “Sports help children and youth feel better connected to school, attend regularly, and connect with a more positive peer network” (Rosewater 51). Team sports have opened up life chances and opportunities for young athletes. “Research by educators and experts has proven that [involvement in sports] has the power to combat drug abuse, teen pregnancy, and the high school dropout rate” (Poinsett para 1). Sports also create a place where students have and adult caring about them, and a team that they have at least one thing in common with. “Teens value involvement in sports because it can provide contact with caring adults, a safe haven from the streets and a reason to rise about peer pressure, a way to stay in shape, and can promote increased self-esteem” (Poinsett para 1). Life skills are a result of participation in team sports, “Sports build planning skills and provides the experience of failing and trying again (persistence)” this translates into greater achievement in school (Rosewater 51). Team sports help young athletes learn life skills that are important to later success in life. One of the most important aspects about participating in team sports is the network of friends one can gain. “Athletes develop relationships with their teammates. For boys, sports are primary, and unfortunately sometime the sole way of socializing with others” (Metzel 4). This gives the boys who do not have other ways of making friends a chance to find someone they have common interests with and they can call each other friends. Mike Nereny is a consultant in substance abuse prevention and education who believe “multiple peer groups are always a good idea for teen” (Metzel 4). It gives teens a chance to learn about friendship, cooperation and give and take (Metzel 4). Finally, high school can be a tough time for teens. Friendship can create a lot of drama but being on a team they have a refugee. (Having a refuge when relations go wrong with one group can alleviate a great deal of stress and offer an alternative for kids who feel uncomfortable or frightened by peers who engage in high-risk activities” (Metzel 4). Sports can create automatic friends, and that is a good thing to have when teens go into high school.   Though there are many positive benefits to participating in sports, one of the most beneficial in life is gaining self-confidence. Sports are a way for young athletes to develop. “Youth is a crucial time for the development of children’s social skills and self-esteem” (Gordon 1). People who play sports tend to display more self-confidence and have a higher moral development (Gordon 15). Girls are more optimistic about themselves and others which lead to confidence. People have found that “athletes take greater pride in their physical and social selves than their sedentary peers; they are more active physically as they age; and they suffer less depression” (Metzel para 11). Girls who were asked if being on a team has affected their self-confidence in a positive say, 90% answered yes (Gordon 20). Being apart of such a close knit team really helps confidence. Speaking from experience, team members are rarely judgmental and they just want to see everyone happy and being themselves. Sports give people a chance to break out of their shell and show their true personality. Sports seem to always have a positive role on teens. “43% of girls in sports and exercise daily feel confidence and capable about their bodies. Only 17% of the girls who don’t participate in sports can say that (Poinsett para 5). Add something here… “The president’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports reports many development benefits of participation in youth sports for girls, including increased self-esteem and self confidence, healthier body image, significant experiences and competency and success, as well as reduced risk of chronic disease” (Metzel Para 10).

Sports has many benefits, however, confidence is one benefit that will stick with an athlete for the rest of their life. Having confidence will make going through high school and college easier. An athlete with confidence will be able to play their sports better; they will not think that they are not good. Sports are 90% mental and with the right confidence, an athlete could be amazing. Self-confidence is a huge benefit that will stick with the athlete and help them through many life challenges. Team sports have many benefits ranging from academics to self-confidence. Sports have helped students academically by giving students a place to turn to and it keeps people out of trouble. Students who participate in sports also tend to do better in school because if they fail they will not be able to participate in that sport anymore. That is also teaching teen’s life lesson. They need to balance their lives out and learn what has to come first. Sports teach students leadership and other life lessons that they will need to know to succeed in life. Sports can keep athletes away from drugs and alcohol and will keep them healthy as life goes on. Team sports also allow athletes to have a group of friends to turn to and who they can be themselves with. People on the same team know that they at least have one common interest which will help with friendship. Team sports are a great way to gain friends. One of the most important benefits that are from sports is self-confidence. Being with an accepting team allows one to be themselves and one can show their true personality. Sports have many benefits including academic success, friendships, and teens gaining self-confidence. Participating in sports when young will help many athletes through life with knowledge, confidence and friendships.

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