Physical activities and Sports, whether team-based or individual, provide students with a variety of benefits. Participation in any sport can help build self-esteem, confidence,
as well as motivate children to excel academically.
Furthermore, sports can help develop social skills
and teach children the benefits of goal-setting and practice.
At NBCDES, drop in Physical Activity afternoon has always been a favourite. This year, we decided to take it to the next level by offering some of the district sports events to our students. We surveyed our students to find out their interests and our student number count in order to select sports that we would successfully be able to participate in as a school team. This year, our district sports teams included badminton, along with track and field.
Badminton was a wonderful experience, as we were able to enter the individual and team events. It was a very small team, but we were able to work together and support each other throughout the day. Our students practiced regularly, as did the teachers ;) We look forward to a larger team next year, providing even more opportunities for our students.
Track and Field was our most recent experience, as it was this past Friday. We practiced every Wednesday afternoon for the past couple months to prepare for the event. Students were so excited to have the opportunity to be included in the district meet, as this was a first time for many. As a coach, I was eager to put in a team and give them the experience that I have had in the past as a participant, volunteer, and coach. Despite our students smiles and positive attitudes, I wished the venue would have allowed for a more TEAM centered environment. This also would have allowed for coaches to ensure that their students did not miss any events, as you can see/hear how each event is progressing. This year, with the variance of event locations (both inside and outside events), students were unable to stay together as a team and support one another. I missed the 'good ole days' where all the events were outside, the track was the outer perimeter, and all of the events took place inside the track. Teams had little tents/areas in which they stationed as a team base, and you could see and hear what was going on during the meet. In addition, I missed the running events, where 'little Johnny' was struggling to finish his race, so his teammates ran along the inside of the track with him, cheering him on and physically supporting him. This is team spirit! I was sad that my students did not get to see that in this year's meet. However, in saying that, students did participate, they enjoyed their experience, and hosting it inside ensured that the track meet continued rain or shine. So as a coach, I guess the 'good ole days' may have enhanced the team experience for my students and they would have benefited from it, but they did enjoy a day of physical activity.
We are so excited that we are now a part of the district sporting events.
Due to the benefits of participating in physical activities and sports,
we look forward to further opportunities for our students.
