School sport set me up for a life loving sport, why kids should jump on board?

Photo by: St Luke's Grammar School Media

Growing up the best thing about Fridays were 2 things- firstly the freedom of the weekend was so close you could taste that afternoon paddlepop at the beach or park! Secondly, school sport was always on Friday afternoons, growing up playing In the PSSA system. Rocking sports uniform all day, You would pick up your lunch order from the canteen, a Friday treat, & head to the public buses out front to head to the local oval! All the local schools would Conjoin and you'd get straight into the afternoon's sport match! 

As kids you wouldn't just put your name down for the sports you were “good at,” your name was down for everything! School sport was the best fun & no one wanted to miss out! 
Youd be playing softball term 1, soccer in 2, netball in 3 and cricket by term 4.

You gave everything a go & it certainly didn't matter if you got bowled out or didn't make a home run, because you were with your friends on a Friday afternoon playing sport!

School sport set me up with the right attitude towards physical activity growing up, prioritising having fun and being active. I didn't just do the sports that I was good at, or coached in, I have everything a go! I made friendships in different teams, learnt a broad range of skills, didn't become bored or over trained as a child in one focused discipline. I learnt to pass, bat, bowl, & kick a ball, how to run, jump, manoeuvre, and side step, how to go over and under waves, swim the medley, dance to a 4 beat count, and correctly nail a round off & kartwheel! 

School sport sets kids up with a broad  skill acquisition they don't even realising they're working on. It creates an attitude and way of thinking - that physical activity is fun, it builds self confidence and Pride, demonstrates that persistence and hard work are necessary traits & that giving things a go is “cool” and those on the sidelines are the ones missing out on all the fun! 

Growing up playing School sport through primary and high school set me up with the positive attitudes, mindset, skills and every day behaviours that help shape not only a healthy & active lifestyle  but my career as a professional athlete today. 

One day when I'm in mother I know I'll be encouraging my children to get involved in all the school sport that takes there fancy, no natural talent require, just a tonne of fun, friendships  and positive behaviours to be made!