By Melissa Grant
There has never been a better time to sign-up your child to a local sports or recreation club.
Covid-19 lockdowns left Victorian children inside their homes for months last year.
They missed out on physical activity, not to mention social connections.
We spoke to VicHealth Physical Activity and Sport Manager, Chris Lacey, about the benefits of getting children involved in a sport or local club.
PHYSICAL BENEFITS
Signing your child up for local sport is a great way to ensure they get enough physical activity.
Australian guidelines recommend that children aged 5-17 get at least an hour a day of ‘moderate to vigorous intensity’ physical activity.
It’s advised that kids aged 2-4 have at least 180 minutes a day of physical activity, including energetic play.
“It’s important for kids to remain physically healthy and sport is a great way to do that,” Mr Lacey said.
SOCIAL BENEFITS
Sport and recreation gives children the chance to forge friendships and connections outside school.
Also, it often provides children with a new positive role model in their life.
Mr Lacey said while kids generally make a lot of mates at school, it is important for them to have other places where they can make friends.
“The social connection you get from being involved is important for kids’ mental and social development,” he said.
“Being part of a team makes us feel like we’re part of something bigger than ourselves, which is important.
“Having social connections can reduce the incidence of anxiety and depression.”
SKILLS FOR LIFE
Children involved in their local sporting club or recreation group learn various skills that they will use throughout their life.
This includes leadership skills. In junior sport, for example, captaincy is often rotated so that each child can learn what it’s like to lead a team.
They can also learn how to tackle challenges and that winning isn’t everything.
“They learn that you don’t always win and that’s okay,” Mr Lacey said.
BENEFITS FOR PARENTS
Children’s sport is good for parents too as it provides opportunities for social connection.
Mr Lacey said studies have shown that one in three Victorians are worried about their loss of social connection in the wake of Covid lockdowns.
More than half said they want to get involved in their community clubs, he said.
WHEN TO JOIN A CLUB
Your child is never too young to join a local club. These days, as Mr Lacey points out, there are sport-type programs for babies and toddlers.
He said it was important for a child’s physical activity to ramp-up once they reached primary school.
“Auskick, Cricket blasters, Hot Shots (tennis) all target that kind of age,” he said.
HOW TO FIND A CLUB
The best way is to ask a friend for a recommendation or simply get onto a search engine and type ‘sport near me’.
There are the obvious local sporting clubs like AFL, basketball, netball, cricket and soccer.
But there are also clubs for gymnastics, dancing, swimming, diving, skateboarding, skating, hockey, sailing and even paddle boarding. The list goes on.
But what if your child says they hate sport?
“It’s good to encourage kids to get involved in physical activity but not force them. If there’s something they don’t enjoy try to pivot them towards something else,” Mr Lacey said.
That could be something like dancing or swimming.
If sport is a no-go, then you can try music or arts clubs, or get them involved in the local Scouts or Girl Guides group.
“There’s no excuse really these days not to get involved because there’s something out there for everyone to enjoy,” Mr Lacey said.
