5 Great Reasons To Get Your Kids Involved in Team Sports

Education is incredibly important for kids, everybody knows that. But physical education is also incredibly important and is arguably overlooked by many. Our friends at SPAR are all about promoting exercise in young people and encouraging them to get involved in team sports. Here are five of the benefits to taking part... Better educational performance It has been argued by experts that those who play team sports do better in the classroom. As well as having better energy levels, these kids are disciplined, determined and know how to manage their time effectively (all of which comes in handy for those exams).

9 February 2016; Former Republic of Ireland International Jason McAteer, current Republic of Ireland women's star Aine OGorman and SPAR National Sales Director, Colin Donnelly, were on hand to help launch the 2016 SPAR FAI Primary School 5s Programme. The fun five-a-side schools competition is open to boys and girls from 4th, 5th and 6th class. County blitzes will begin at the end of February and the winners will then progress to regional, provincial and the prestigious national finals which will be held in the Aviva Stadium on May 11th. For further information or to register your school please see www.spar.ie or www.faischools.ie. In attendance at the launch was children from schools, st bernadette's quarryvale, Clondalkin and St.Patrick's NBS, Ringsend. Lansdowne Astro Pitch, Lansdowne Rd, Dublin 4. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***

Keeps weight in check One in four children is overweight or obese and studies have shown that obese children are likely to become obese adults. The recommended amount of physical activity for schoolchildren is at least 60 minutes a day which means that joining a soccer or netball team, attending practices and matches, is a great and easy way of fulfilling this requirement. Physical abilities Coordination, balance and agility are just a few of the things that playing a team sport can help with. These can be applied to any physical activity and can also make your child feel more confident in all areas of life. It will also encourage them to push themselves and strive for their goals.

Development of social skills Being part of a team develops good social skills and builds relationships with other children and authority figures. Kids in teams have to learn to work together, whether they get on or not, which will also come in handy in later life when they have to go out into the big bad world. It also teaches them to communicate and interact in a way that they normally wouldn’t. Emotional benefits Participating in a team sport instills a healthy sense of competition in young people. This means they will be adept at dealing with both victory and defeat. When a person exercises, their body releases endorphins which triggers a positive feeling. This can help to reduce stress levels and boost their mood. 30 April 2015; Mark Troy, Durrow NS, Co. Offaly, reacts after his side conceeded a goal. SPAR FAI Primary School 5s Leinster Final, MDL Grounds, Trim Road, Navan, Co. Meath. Picture credit: Sam Barnes / SPORTSFILE

30 April 2015; Mark Troy, Durrow NS, Co. Offaly, reacts after his side conceeded a goal. SPAR FAI Primary School 5s Leinster Final, MDL Grounds, Trim Road, Navan, Co. Meath. Picture credit: Sam Barnes / SPORTSFILE

This article is brought to you by SPAR. They are the title sponsor of the SPAR FAI Primary School 5's Programme. It is the biggest schools' soccer programme in Ireland which encourages children to be active and take part in team sporting activities. Each year the programme starts in February and runs through to the Finals which take in the Aviva. This year's finals will take place on May 11th. Find out more about it HERE!