Athletic Participation Forms

David Galliher
Athletic Director

Benefits of Carmichael Middle School Athletics

Sports are for fun, but they are also offer benefits and lessons that carry over into all aspects of life.

When our students are asked why they play sports, we should hear them say that they want:

· To have fun
· To improve their skills
· To learn new skills
· To be with their friends
· To make new friends
· To succeed or win
· To improve their physical fitness

Most of our students usually get the benefits they are seeking from sports and more. Research shows that kids who participate in organized sports do better in school, have better social skills, are more team oriented, and have better health.

Athletic participation provides opportunities for leadership and development of skills for dealing with success and failure.

In addition, when competing in athletic competition, student athletes learn how rules work. They learn how groups need rules to keep order and that the individual must accept the rules for the good of the group.

The Presidents Council on Physical Fitness and Sports reports many developmental benefits of participating in youth sports. Some of these benefits include increased self-esteem and self-confidence, healthier body image and reduced risk of chronic disease.

Physical Benefits

Fitness. Kids who play sports develop general physical fitness in a way that's fun and they establish lifelong habits for good health.

Stress relief. Sports allow our student athletes to clear their minds of academic and social pressures. The athletes are allowed to literally run off the tension that has accumulated in their muscles.

Mastery. Sports offer students a satisfying and enjoyable way to develop their own talents. Their personal effort allows them to get good at something they are interested in. Learning to do something well makes the athlete feel good about themselves. It also teaches them about the process of how to improve and work.

Healthy habits. Sports help prevent drug and alcohol abuse. Being an athlete also gives kids a acceptable reason for telling their friends not to drugs, alcohol, and other high-risk unhealthy behaviors.

Personal Benefits

Valuing preparation. Sports help kids to learn to distinguish between effort and ability. Competitive athletes learn the importance of effort and being prepared. Student athletes also learn to deal productively with criticism as part of improvement and preparation.

Resilence. Sports provide a model for dealing with disappointment and misfortune. Young student athletes learn to handle adversity. Sometimes it is picking themselves up after losing a big game and other times it may involve dealing with not getting as many minutes of playing time as they wanted in a game. The athlete learns to deal with each situation as part of the learning process.

Athletes also learn to deal with the physical and psychological effects of injury.

Leadership opportunities. Team sports offer kids a rare opportunity to serve as leaders. Part of this leadership includes minimizing conflicts among players.

Identity and balance. Being a part of a group is important to kids. Sports make young athletes feel like belong.

Time management. Young athletes learn to manage their time more productively. They learn that getting their homework done is part of the requirements of participating in athletics. They also learn about planning ahead or at least we hope they do. They also learn that they have to eat well and get a good night's sleep.

Social Benefits

Sports are a social activity. The social benefits include relationships with other kids. Teamwork is another benefit in which young athletes learn about cooperation, camaraderie, give-and-take. Athletics also provide access to diversity. Organized sports offer players an opportunity to meet a variety of kids from different backgrounds. Sports are a great equalizer: rich or poor, black, brown, or white are irrelevant. Positive relationships with adults/teachers are a result of experiences in an athletic environment.

Written with help from "The Young Athlete", Jordan D. Metzl, M.D. and Carol Shookhoff, 2002

Choose a sport season to learn more about:

Fall Sports | Winter I Sports | Winter II Sports | Spring Sports

If you are an athlete the requirements for participation are outlined below - we invite you to come out and play.

Before students can participate they must have:

1. a current ASB card - $15.00.

2. paid the sport participation fee - $15.00 per sport.

3. a physical completed.

4. completed the sports participation application. (blue form)

5. appropriate accident and health insurance.

Sports fees and paperwork can be picked up in the office from Mrs. Freeman, Carmichael's ASB secretary.

Rules for Riders on Athletic/Field Trips

Specific questions can be directed to each individual sport's head coach or to the Athletic Director, Mr. Galliher.

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