Why We Love Soccer

1.
 It is truly a team sport. This means that: soccer is less pressured and more fun than individual sports like swimming, tennis and athletics in which the individual result of each player is continually on display and the motivating force is predominantly winning and not predominantly fun. Soccer is sheer fun and builds confidence like no other sport.
2.
 Soccer teaches social coping skills and builds character. Because it is so focused on group participation, playing soccer can teach good sportsmanship, sharing, the ability to see beyond themselves and be happy for a teammate’s success, dependability, winning and losing as a group, group decision making, group leadership and getting along with kids of varying temperaments and skills.
3.
 Soccer is easier for young kids than most other sports. Sports like tennis, golf and hockey require a certain age to be reached and skill level to be attained before proper games can be played. You will be amazed at how soon and how young your child will begin playing soccer games – these start virtually immediately.
4.
 Soccer is international. If you move to another country or city there is no better way for your child to meet new friends immediately than by joining a local soccer team. Also encouraging children to share in the excitement generated by soccer around the world can help them learn about other countries and experience South Africa as part of a larger, diverse community of nations.
 

5.
 Soccer is highly aerobic. During a game of soccer, children are constantly running from one end of the field to the other. Studies show that exercise has clear physical benefits. Children who play soccer regularly are getting into the habit of incorporating regular exercise into their lives.
6.
 Soccer is cooperative. Because passing the ball is essential to success, players must communicate well and be consistently mindful of their team members’ whereabouts on the field.
7.
 Soccer is great training for other sports. It is widely accepted nowadays that kids should be “physically literate” – soccer with its wide ambit of skills and movements, combining aerobic endurance, footwork, ball-eye coordination, spatial awareness and athleticism is a great introduction or complimentary activity for many other sports such as tennis, rugby and hockey.