The Link Between Sport and Play

The Lethbridge Sport Council supports the Lethbridge PLAYS initiative and the Play Charter. The Lethbridge City Council adopted the Charter in October 2018.

Sport is defined as ‘an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment’.

Sport includes all ages and stages. In grassroots activities children are learning the basics. In recreational sport they participate for fun and activity. In competitive sport athletes are training with a goal. In adult sport participants can be anywhere on the recreational to competitive spectrum.

Children interact with each other and develop social skills through play. They learn negotiation, collaboration, compromise, and how to work towards a common goal. When children exchange thoughts and information they are developing verbal and non-verbal communication skills. These are important skills in life and success factors in sport.

Children learn to think, remember, reason and pay attention through play. Critical thinking skills help them make sense of their environment. Cognitive and critical thinking skills will allow children to understand when to kick the ball or how to jump the hurdles in a race.

Confidence allows children to take risks and trust themselves. Having confidence will help children get to know their teammates, try new sports and take a win or defeat well. Confidence will continue to improve through interactions with coaches, teammates and parents; like high fives, cheers and pats on the back.

Physical literacy means having the motivation, confidence and competence to take part in physical activity. Fundamental Movements Skills like running, throwing, kicking and jumping require agility, balance, coordination, and strength. Play develops these skills.

We want people to be active for life in any sport or active recreation path they take. Play impacts the likelihood they will take part in sport and choose to stay active through their life. Skills learned in play, especially in the early years, will help achieve active goals.

The Lethbridge Sport Council is happy to support Lethbridge Plays. To learn more about Lethbridge Plays, you can visit their website www.lethbridgeplays.ca or check them out on Facebook and Instagram.