How can you get your kids involved in sports?

All around the world, there are potential sports stars in the making. Whether it be a young Australian dreaming of being the next Shane Warne, or a teenager in the States hoping to emulate Michael Jordan someday, it’s safe to say that there are plenty of kids out there who can be the next generation of sports heroes.

However, this always isn’t the case. With advancements in technology and it becoming more consumer-friendly, and affordable, it could be argued that today’s children are more interested in computer games, and e-sports in particular.

And why not? With the e-sports industry reportedly taking in just under $700million last year, and it projected to be worth $1.5billion by 2020, you can’t blame kids for wanting to jump on that particular bandwagon.

But, if you’re old-fashioned like me, you’ll agree that “outside sports” (as they seem to be called now) are always going to be important, and, more so, prominent.

To get an idea of what traditional sports can bring and do for a group of people, and even whole nations, you don’t have to look further than the World Cup. This year’s World Cup has already shown numerous indications that it’s going to be a fantastic spectacle, and not just for the football (or soccer). Yes, the camaraderie that comes with supporting your team at the finals is second to none, and, for all its flaws, Russia is doing a great job at making sure all the traveling fans are having a fantastic experience, no matter how well, or badly, their team does.

However, it would be up to the individual to decide on whether it stacks up against past World Cups, with previous tournaments bringing us some utterly unforgettable World Cup moments. Here’s hoping Russia 2018 follows suit.

However, I digress. The point that I’m trying to stress here is the current tournament is the best possible example of watching your heroes in action. It’s the best possible example of how a game can bring a nation together. It’s the best possible example to get your kids interested in sports!

Here are a few tips of how the World Cup can get your kids out of the house, away from the computer, and onto the playing fields.

Take them to watch a game

While we can’t all afford to actually go to a World Cup game, you can bet your bottom dollar you’re no more than a stone’s throw away from somewhere showing the games. Establishments that normally show football games tend to get as carried away as the rest of us during tournaments, and with everyone else piling in to support their team, the atmosphere can be fantastic.

Take your kids along, let them soak up the environment and experience what it feels like to be part of something special. Whether your team wins or not, the feeling of being part of that crowd, so full of hope, is something they won’t forget, and will leave them wanting more.

Here’s a quick example of just how wonderful the experience can be.

Take them to see the players

Now, when you can do this is obviously dependent on how well your team do in the tournament. This means that if you’re a true fan, you’ll want this opportunity to come as late as possible.

But, whenever your team do come home, their flights are usually public knowledge – the media certainly know when they’re coming home, and you should be able to find out, too. When was the last time you saw a football team coming home from a tournament without being swarmed by fans? And, again, it’s a very memorable experience.

The last winners of the World Cup, Germany, certainly made their whereabouts known when they arrived home from Brazil victorious. Parades were held, and it was just a fantastic spectacle for the players as well as the fans.

So, while they might not meet the players personally, seeing them in the flesh, and seeing everyone there to celebrate as a group, no matter the outcome, can again be a momentous occasion for anyone.

Take advantage of programmes

While they might get more exposure during tournament years, local football clubs and sports centers usually hold “soccer schools” during the summer that are the perfect place to get the kids involved in football/

And while this particular article has admittedly been mostly about football, the advice is certainly transferable. Maybe your child doesn’t want to play football/soccer, maybe they want to play rugby? Well, there are also summer “rugby schools” too. And a rugby World Cup. And other national tournaments. You can see where I’m going with this.

There are plenty of ways to get your child involved in sports and to get them excited about it without locking them outside with a football. You just need to know the best way to go about them.