Over the course of nineteen years I have participated in t-ball, softball, baseball, football, cross country, track, roller derby, and rowing. And now, I’m currently on the UMass Amherst Division I rowing team, having only learned to row my first semester of college. I’ve always been competitive, and sports have given me an outlet during both the good times and the bad. There’s a lot to gain from participating in sports, so here’s a list of all the reasons you should get out and find a team today.

No matter what sport it is, there’s something exhilarating about getting into the zone where only you, your teammates, and your objective matters. Whether you’re looking to finish a race or get one more touchdown to win the game, there’s nothing greater than working towards a common goal with your teammates. Your mind becomes razor sharp because you know that your team needs you, and you want to be better than you were the last game. You’re constantly working to improve, and there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing all your hard work pay off.

And as a girl, I think it’s incredibly important to find your team. To find a group of people who believe in you and are right behind you no matter what. Whether you win or lose, you’re still a team and you will always have each other’s backs. There’s no other bond like it, and if you have the chance to play a sport you like and be surrounded by people you trust - you should take it.