Kids' special: why play football?
Football is undoubtedly the most popular sport in the world. But why so much love for a round ball? Read on to find some answers that might interest you and your budding footballers.
Football is undoubtedly the most popular sport in the world. But why so much love for a round ball? Read on to find some answers that might interest you and your budding footballers.
Every time a major international competition rolls around, our TV screens are plastered with images of kids playing football on makeshift pitches, sometimes even without shoes - proof that football is an incredibly popular sport. And playing it doesn't need a huge investment. Of course for competitive play you need good equipment, but it's still a very accessible sport.
Football is a team sport where you end up rubbing shoulders with people from all walks of life. Just like school, football teaches you how to function as a part of society.
As a member of a team, you'll develop a sense of team spirit and a drive to do your best for your team mates (or at least, most people will! A few never quite seem to grasp this concept, but that's a different kettle of fish...).
Doing football helps keep you fit. It's a strongly cardio-based activity that uses all sorts of muscles, and not just those in the lower body! Your abs, for example, are really put through their paces during a match. Football is also a good alternative for both relaxing and having fun at the same time.
It's also a sport which helps channel the energy of young people taking part, which is no small thing.
Football encompasses concepts such as pushing yourself to your limits, developing a taste for sport, competitive spirit, and discipline.
Often the values we develop as footballers also help us develop on a personal level, and I think the values conveyed through football are very positive!
I've been passionate about football since I was a kid, and played with a club for several years. During my career, I was never afraid to attack the opponent's goal. I started out as a right/left midfielder before switching to playmaker and then striker. Nowadays I play with friends and colleagues, and still watch all the football I can.