As a society, we often engage in sports for the wellness benefits of physical activity. Whether it’s softball, rugby, football, or gymnastics, sports offer significant health benefits for players engaging in such physical activity. While this fact holds merit and is a valid advantage in playing sports, I argue that we, as a society, additionally play sports to discover our people and community.
And the best part of this? Anyone can join a spot! Not restricted by gender or age, anyone of any background is able to partake in many spotting activities! As I previously listed, there are many different sporting activities: Cheerleading, basketball, baseball, swimming, and tennis are just a few of the many different sports offered by many local centers for community teams.
When taking up any sport, a person joins a team of individuals who are similar to themselves. Whether in age, gender, or active lifestyle, it is likely that a person will discover many common interests and values within their fellow teammates. And playing sports while being on the same team allows such shared beliefs and interests to be nurtured and grow in a close environment.
No one wants to be alone. Humans by design are born with the desire to seek and pursue connection and comradery with other people. And playing sports offers just that! In playing sports, we join a team of people who share something similar to us. And with such common interests, this allows room for a true connection and relationship to grow and form among other people. And in those relationships that are formed, are we able to discover a place where we belong. A place we are able to call home, all because of the sport one plays.
