Why School Districts Should Continue Funding for Sports

Why should the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) keep funding for sports program? Well what would schools be without the normal sports teams and jocks running around? In my opinion it would just be abnormal, competitive sports are a tradition in school that all children should have the choice to experience. I believe OUSD should continue funding for sports programs. Not only because they are a tradition; but because the also improves health, teaches teamwork, and improves academic performances. For instance, sports have a big effect on the number of kids that are not a part of the great percentage of kids in America who are obese. In the article Benefits and Drawbacks of Youth Sports states, “… obesity affects so many people in the world, it is important for children to find enjoyable forms of exercise to maintain a lifelong healthy weight. “ Also, in the article What in the Name of High School Football the author states, “The greatest factor in preventing the nation’s number one killer – heart disease – is regular and vigorous exercise.” These two articles show how sports can help kids live a long healthy life and keep the fit. Another reason the OUSD should continue funding for sports is because it teaches kids teamwork. In the article Benefits and Drawbacks of Youth Sports the author says, “[Children who participates in sports] can also learn about responsibility to a team and how everyone needs to do their part for the team to be successful.” This piece of evidence helps proves that sports teach kids teamwork. It is important for kids to learn teamwork, because it is needed in ordinary life experiences and work situations. Lastly, studies show that sports actually help improve academic performance. Continuing funding for sports will allow OUSD to help kids excel not only physically, but academically. The article “Benefits and Drawbacks of Youth Sports” states, “Sports can improve school performance and grades. Students are often required to maintain a specific average by their teachers in order to become eligible to play. If students want to get on the field, the court or the ice, they have to earn that privilege by performing well in the classroom.” This is evidence on why and how sports play a role academically. If students really want to play their desired sport, they work hard and keep their grade up to maintain the required GPA at their school. Sports can also help with scholarships and give students who never thought twice about college, because of coming from a family with low income or not being able to get a academic scholarship a since of hope about going. The opposing opponent might suggest that the OUSD should not continue funding for sports, because kids are more vulnerable and more likely to get injured. Although this is true, in my opinion this is not a good enough reason to not fund for sports. Kids can get injured from many activities in their daily life, but still takes risk. It should be theirs and their parents choice rather or not to take the risk of getting injured in sports, not OUSD’s. In conclusion OUSD should continue funding for sports, to bring various positive benefits to schools. Such as great health and fitness, teaching kids teamwork, and improving academic performances. These benefits will help kids in their everyday lives outside school, and in future work situations. Go to some of the schools in OUSD games, support the players and show OUSD how much you care about OUSD sport teams and give them another reason why they should keep funding for them.