Why is sport important?-Sport makes a significant contribution to our wellbeing, palying a role in the development of the economy, environment and soc

Why is sport important?

Sport makes a significant contribution to our wellbeing, playing a role in the development of the economy, environment and society:

Teaching Teamwork - just yesterday, my girls' team finished thrid in a sprint relay. Two of the girls hated each other off the track, but they recognise the need to worj together to achieve success, and after a rocky start, they now actually speak!

Promoting Health - the most obvious benefit. By keeping people fit and healthy, sport is a form of preventative medicine, physically and mentally. Children who are involved in sport are generally fitter and much more alert, this has health benefits as well as helping with the child's academic studies.

Tackling Social Exclusion - participating in sporting activities increases people's sense of integration into their local community in both urban and rural areas. on a football field or basketball court you make friends from a broad social spectrum.

Community Safety - sport reduces the chances of young people slipping into lives of crime. There is a reduced risk of a person re-offending if he can be encouraged to participate in sport.

Increasing Employment - sport fields provide green 'lungs' for towns and cities, while new facilities can regenerate previously derelict land. In the countryside, many sports such as canoeing, sailing and mountaineering, contribute to health and sustainability of the rural economy.

Lesson for Life - children need to learn lessons that will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives - a process in which sport can play a key role. It teaches people the benefits of self discipline, team work, mutual respect and fair play. It enables youngsters, in particular, to channel their energy, competitiveness and aggression in a personally and socially beneficial way.

Urban Regeneration - improving sports facilities and hosting sporting events can modernise an area's image and improve local self esteem. Such benefits are often intangible, but their knock on effects can be truly substantial.

The Value of Volunteers - voluntary activity is a key element in creating and sustaining an active and inclusive society, and that sport is one of the main ways in which people choose to put something back into their communities.

In short, sport is important to everyone. Millions benefit directly, through active participation. For millions more, the benefits are less direct but no less important