Join the team - the benefits of playing a team sport

Are you a team player? Here’s why you should seriously consider playing a team sport…

The health benefits of exercise are well-known, all of which can be enjoyed with as little as 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day. Staying fit and healthy doesn’t need to be a lonely pursuit. You could join a jogging group or recruit a gym buddy… or you could take the smart option and play a team sport!

Why play team sports?

Along with increased feelings of happiness, weight loss, higher energy levels and improved quality of sleep that can come with sport in general, team sports offer more benefits beyond the physical. Here are just a few:

Self confidence

It can be confronting having to put yourself out there and take risks in front of a bunch of strangers every week. But knowing your teammates have your back can make that so much easier, giving you the support you need as you build confidence in yourself and your abilities.

Discipline

Managing games and practice sessions to fit in with classes, tutoring, and other social aspects of your student life can be challenging. Developing this kind of discipline can prepare you for a future career and family life, especially when it comes to time management.

Social skills

Team sports force you to meet people outside your immediate social circle, taking you out of your comfort zone as you learn how to interact with people you might not otherwise associate with.

Teamwork

Relying on up to a dozen other people to complete a task can be frustrating at times. Team sports force you to rely on others and appreciate the different strengths your teammates have, which can be an extremely valuable trait to have when you enter the workforce.

Good sportsmanship

No-one can win all the time. Team sports can teach you resilience, which is extremely important when you enter the workforce, begin a new relationship or even start a family.

Learn more about why UniBank supports university sport

Two less obvious benefits of playing a team sport

Future work

Being a student athlete gives you the chance to work with an elite group of people other students might not get to associate with. Beyond the track, court or field, these connections can be extremely beneficial for your future career. Playing a team sport forces you to develop your social, communication and team building skills, all of which can help make you a more valuable employee to some businesses and organisations.

Financial security

Apart from the obvious financial relief that a sporting scholarship might offer, many elite athletes such as rugby players or high-performance athletes will maintain their associations with the organisations and businesses that have supported their studies outside of university. Remembering their own time playing team sports at university, these benefactors have also been known to contribute in a range of ways from professional introductions to direct financial support.

When university and team sport comes together

For all its benefits, one of the major attractions of university sport is the fun and excitement of meeting new people and testing yourself against your peers. Luckily for university students, there’s an organisation that gives university sports a national platform.

UniSport Nationals is a national university sporting competition delivered by UniSport Australia (UniSport). UniSport’s primary focus is providing expertise and leadership in university sport through promoting and fostering the importance of university sport as an important part of university life.

UniSport Nationals 2019 is almost here, with Div2 kicking off in July when almost 4,000 university students from all around Australia will descend on the Gold Coast for 4 days of non-stop competition to determine the top universities in Basketball, Volleyball, Lacrosse 5’s, Netball, Futsal, Badminton, Hockey, Tennis, Football, Touch and Ultimate Frisbee.

UniBank and UniSport Nationals

UniBank believes that sport plays an essential role in every university community, which is why we have been a proud Presenting Partner of UniSport Nationals Div1 and Div2 since 2018.

"The partnership with UniSport is important as it helps us to support students from across all 42 universities to not only excel at their chosen sports but to pursue a healthy and connected student experience on campus," said Mike Lanzing, UniBank General Manager.

Learn more about our involvement with UniSport Nationals

UniBank was born in a university, so we know more about what is important to those involved in university communities, whether that’s studying, finding a job, raising a family, building financial well-being or navigating retirement. Whatever stage of life you’re at, we’re committed to delivering easy, convenient, secure and rewarding banking experiences.

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