For many children, sport isn’t simply an activity—it becomes a trusted friend, a place of safety, expression, and identity. At the School Sport Foundation (SSF), we’ve seen time and again how children form deep emotional bonds with their favorite sport. That’s why this article isn’t just about football, basketball, or swimming—it’s about the powerful connection between kids and the games they grow up with.
What begins as play often becomes something far more personal. Children might not have the words to explain it, but many would likely start the same way:
“Dear Sport, thank you for changing my life.”
A Space to Belong
For shy or anxious children, sport becomes a space where they can participate without speaking. A football field or a basketball court offers something that a classroom sometimes cannot – an equal starting point.
A ball doesn’t care where a child comes from, what grades they get, or whether they speak the same language. On the field, what matters is how you move, how you show up, and how you support others. For many, this is the first place they feel truly seen.
Expression Without Words
Children use sport to express emotion—joy, excitement, frustration, determination. Every sprint, pass, or jump becomes a sentence. Sports become their first language of confidence.
A child who struggles to speak in front of others might thrive during a game. Through movement, they find a way to say:
“I’m here. I’m trying. I’m proud of what I can do.”
This emotional outlet becomes especially important in times of change—whether it’s moving schools, facing family difficulties, or growing up in uncertainty.
Resilience, One Missed Shot at a Time
Losing a match. Falling during a race. Missing the goal. These aren’t just sports moments—they’re life lessons. Children learn through sport that failure doesn’t mean “stop,” it means “try again.”
Over time, this transforms into resilience. Into the ability to say:
“I’ll show up again tomorrow.”
And in that process, many children begin to write their own story of growth—one mistake, one win, one breath at a time.
Identity and Self-Worth
When a child says, “I’m a swimmer,” or “I play football,” it’s more than a description. It’s a part of who they are. Sports give kids something to be proud of, something they can own and shape on their own terms.
For many, their favorite sport becomes a quiet but powerful companion through childhood. One that says:
“You are strong. You are improving. You belong here.”
A Universal Story
From the rooftops of Rio to the snowy fields of Ukraine, children everywhere form bonds with the sports they love. That’s why at SSF, we see “a letter to my favourite sport” not as a personal note, but as a global message shared by millions of kids:
“Thank you for helping me grow. Thank you for giving me joy. Thank you for being there.”
