Being part of a team can have many benefits – work ethic, drive and dedication. However, being part of something bigger than just you can be rewarding in other ways. No matter the sport you play, or the group you are a member of, you develop relationships that are everlasting with people you are close to forever. Here are five reasons you should be a part of a team:
1. Your teammates become your best friends
You and your teammates bond over the hours of practice, travel and competition. Whether it is the hours you are forced to spend together, or the similar interest you have, your teammates often quickly become your best friends. Since you see one another every day, it is easy to constantly know what is going on in one another’s lives – resulting in some of the best and longest lasting friendships you could imagine.
2. You have the best support system
Because you and your teammates are competing for the same goal, you constantly are picking one another up. If you have a bad day in the box, or are struggling on the mound, your teammates always have your back with encouraging words and tips to help you get out of your slump. Teammates are also a great support system for real-life problems. They get to know you and your family – meaning, they will share your pain and hold your hand through dark times.
3.You get memories that last a lifetime
When something funny happens at practice, or you are telling embarrassing stories on the bus, you and your teammates develop inside jokes that you will be telling 10 years down the road. Whether you are telling stories about how someone ripped their pants at practice, or fell in the middle of an important game, you bond over these silly memories; ones that you will have long after you retire from your athletic career.
4.You get to share the game that you love
One of the most awesome parts of being on a team is getting to share the activity you love most with people who feel the same way. Being part of a team allows you to work with others for a common goal – one that you all have your heart set on. You get to share your triumphs and failures over your favorite game, with your favorite people – what else could you ask for?
5.You develop a second family
After all the hours, games and bruises are done, you know that you have developed a bond that surpasses any normal level of friendship. You and your teammates know one another’s families, what each other look and act like in the morning, what their McDonald’s order is and who they currently have a crush on. These relationships develop into something must deeper than friendship; you turn into a family.
Sports have been a huge part of my life, and as I sit in my Florida townhouse on spring break with my team, I cannot help but reflect on how much of an influence they have been in my life and how thankful I am for each of them each day. We may annoy one another at times, but at the end of the day, we are there for one another. Teammates are a blessing that I believe everyone should experience.
