Private
School Athletic Programs Toronto
One of the most important considerations for parents who are
choosing an independent school for their children is athletics. Most
private school athletics programs in Toronto offer children the chance to play several different sports.
Participating in team and individual sports can promote fitness, mental health,
and skills that will last a lifetime.
The
Benefits of School Sports
Research shows that children who play organized sports are
healthier than their less athletic peers. It's also been proven that children
who participate in sports obtain many other benefits, including:
- Improved Self Esteem. Learning new
skills can give children a source of personal pride, and can help to solidify
confidence in their abilities. Teamwork helps children to learn social skills,
develop empathy, and to make life-long friends.
- Mental Benefits. Sports help to enhance
brain development and some studies show that they even raise IQ! Children who
have difficulty concentrating find that sports help to give them focus;
children who are timid often discover reserves of courage on the basketball
court or football field.
- Life Skills. Athletics teach many skills
necessary for success in life. Learning a sport takes patience and persistence,
two qualities cultivated by highly successful people. Playing a sport well
requires that players develop respect for teammates, coaches, and opponents.
Playing on a team instills a work ethic that will stand children in good stead
– and many captains of industry discovered an aptitude for leadership while
playing sports at school. Even learning how to respond to failure in a healthy
manner can be useful in many other areas.
Many of the health benefits of sports are obvious. Increased
strength and endurance, better lung capacity and breathing, and improved
hand-eye coordination are among these. But it's been discovered that athletic
children are also more conscious about food and more likely to make healthy
food choices than those children who don't play sports. And sports have proven
to be particularly important for girls in their teens, who are less likely to
make poor lifestyle choices (such as smoking) if they play team sports.
Elements Of
A Good Athletics Program
When looking at
Toronto private school
athletics programs, a few aspects are key. First, the school should offer a
variety of sports. Children are drawn to different sports, and if a school puts
too much of an emphasis on one program, their program may not meet the needs of
all students. Choose a school that offers traditional sports such as softball,
volleyball, track, badminton, basketball, football, and tennis, as well as
sports like soccer, swimming, snowboarding, and golf. Well-rounded programs
also include activities such as table tennis, Frisbee, or bowling, which appeal
to a wide range of children. Of course, many Canadian students are keen hockey
fans, so a hockey team may be a big draw for your child.
As well, the school must provide various opportunities for
teams and individuals to play, such as house league games, tournaments, and
regular scheduled matches against other schools. The school should belong to
credible organizations such as the SSAF (Small Schools Athletic Federation) or
the TDCAA (Toronto District College Athletic Association.)
Make sure that athletics are part of your child's life.
Investigate sports programs at Toronto private schools today!