Team sport is any sport in which a group of individuals, organized as a team, compete against other teams for the purpose of accomplishing a common goal. Examples include hockey, association football, soccer, American football, basketball, tennis, water polo, and baseball. The members of the team work together in a supportive, trusting environment to achieve their objectives, which are usually related to outscoring the opposing team. They also learn how to set goals, make decisions, communicate, and manage conflict to be successful on the field of play.

One of the most important life skills that kids learn from participating in team sports is how to manage their time. With practices twice a week, games on the weekend, and school or other extracurricular activities, being on a sports team requires kids to learn how to balance all of their commitments effectively. They also learn how to communicate with teammates and coaches to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Kids also learn how to work with others on a team, which is something they will need in their future careers and other relationships. They learn the importance of listening to their teammates and coaches and how to contribute their own ideas to the group. They also learn how to problem solve on the fly, which is necessary in any fast-paced sport. For example, when a player is injured or a coach changes the game plan in the middle of a practice, the players need to quickly adjust their plans in order to be successful.

Lastly, they learn how to deal with the emotions associated with competing, both winning and losing. Being part of a close-knit team helps to boost motivation and morale, as they know that there is always someone there to cheer them on and give them the courage to push themselves to the next level. They also learn how to handle their emotions and stay in control, which is something that will help them in their everyday lives.

However, it is important to note that while these life skills are gained through participation in team sport, there is limited evidence of their effectiveness on children’s outcomes and behaviour in other environments. It is essential that more research is conducted into the effectiveness of interventions that promote team sport participation in girls, especially at a secondary school age, to understand whether they can lead to sustained participation and improved physical activity outcomes in later life. This is particularly critical as it is estimated that only 21% of girls meet recommended levels of physical activity.