Competitive activities for children 'benefit physical and mental health'

Published on 01-07-2010

Summary: Youngsters should be encouraged to take part in competitive sport, an expert has said.

Competitive activities for children have physical and mental benefits for those who take part, it has been suggested.

According to Steve Grainger, chief executive of the Youth Sport Trust, there are significant advantages to be gained from organising games.

His comments followed the release of details of a government initiative to increase the participation of school-age children in competitive sport.

A total of £10 million is to be spent on Olympic and Paralympic-style sports competitions for youngsters across England.

The scheme will see students from primary and secondary schools participate in regional and national events in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympics.

Mr Grainger said: "All the evidence is that people involved regularly in sport will have higher self-esteem, will feel better about themselves ... will be more effective communicators [and] will work more effectively as part of a team."

He added that these attributes are not simply important in games, but also in general life.

Posted by Katie Finch

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