We all know how important playing sports is for children, and whilst 2021 hasn’t given us the kick-off we all hoped for, we wait for news that we can take to the pitch again, and hope it comes sooner rather than later. For many years, we’ve had the pleasure of watching teams take part in our UK tournaments, as well as teams venture abroad to challenge international opposition, and as a result we’re fully aware of the additional benefits these experiences give children and young adults. Developing independence, bonding as a team, exploring cultural differences, along with a whole host of other social and personal benefits, are just the start of a very long list.
Through the events of the last 9 months, we have a feeling the weighting and importance of these benefits may have just shifted ever so slightly. 2020 was a tough year as we witnessed training sessions, competitive matches and many other extra-curricular activities grind to a halt more than once – and it seems there are still some tough times ahead in 2021. But, there is light at the end of the tunnel and it is at that point that children will need to reap the benefits that travelling as a team gives them more than ever before.
We know after the year we’ve had, it can be easy to forget the joys of traveling with your team, so here’s a reminder of just some of the reasons children need us to start planning adventures for later in 2021 or 2022.
Building resilience
Resilience – for us one of the ‘hot’ words of 2020. Young and old have astounded us all with the resilience they have shown during these challenging times. Travel has long been a tonic for pepping up our resilience levels. Following a year where these possibilities have been restricted to such an extent, these opportunities are more important than ever before!
(Re)Building confidence
Spending too long within our four walls with children having to communicate via zoom and teams, gaming consoles, mobile phones and social media is not what any of us would ideally have planned for children. Missing chapters of building new friendships and spending time doing activities in groups will all have contributed to our children’s confidence taking a knock. There’s no doubt that travelling with their team, experiencing new places, activities and routines provides children with the much needed confidence boost they need.
Nurturing social skills and interaction
Enjoying independence away from home will force children to re-engage and use their natural social skills. Best of all, they’ll have a condensed period of time away together, where life, and using these core skills will quickly feel very normal again.
Just some normality…
Who would have thought normality would have meant so much to us and would have been something we would all crave to such an extent? Getting back to training and matches, attending school, playing with friends, days out, going on holidays, exploring our world. It’s not unusual, it’s the norm.
Together let’s start getting plans in place to give our young people these very real life experiences. They deserve it.
Plan now for later this year or even plan ahead for 2022…we’re ready when you’re ready!
