Alanna Waters: Keeping Kids Active is Key

PHILADELPHIA, PA, April 16, 2013

Alanna Waters, who is the head varsity girls' lacrosse coach at Metro Lacrosse, understands that staying active is important for kids. Physical activity can lead to a higher level of health and overall wellbeing, as well as the development of key skills when this activity is performed in an organized sport setting. Here, Waters provides a statement to the press in response to an article recently published by Philly.com, which offers a list of ways in which parents can ensure that their kids stay active.

The article explains that, with winter slowly making an exit, it is important for parents to consider the value of getting their kids out of the house and involved in physical activity: "It may not necessarily feel like it, but spring is definitely upon us. With that comes warmer weather, longer days, and more opportunities to be outside. Unfortunately, advances in technology have made it far too easy and appealing for children and adolescents to remain sedentary and inactive. Recent research has shown that these technological advances have contributed significantly to childhood obesity.

"One thing parents do to try to and [sic] encourage their children to be active is to enroll them in an organized sports team [...] organized sports can be quite beneficial to a young child for many reasons: increased physical activity, social interaction, improved self-esteem and self-confidence, and promoting healthy competition."

Alanna Waters agrees that getting kids involved in organized sports is a wonderful way to keep them active during the spring and summer months. She explains: "Playing on a team does a great deal to keep kids physically fit--but it's true that playing a sport like lacrosse does so much more for young athletes. The kids who are involved in Metro Lacrosse benefit from the development of a long list of important skills, such as communication, leadership, and interpersonal interaction. Additionally, these kids learn to trust one another and to work together to achieve a common goal. The values and skills that are developed during organized sports events are invaluable to their futures."

Waters encourages parents to get their children involved in team sports in order to protect their health and allow them to benefit from the experience. Lacrosse, soccer, football, and other sports, she asserts, are wonderful outlets for high energy kids and they provide the team-oriented experience that, ultimately, allows for the development of so many positive skills.

Alanna Waters urges parents to talk to their kids to determine which sports they would like to play and to enroll them in local team organizations.

ABOUT:

Alanna Waters is currently serving as the head varsity girls' lacrosse coach at Metro Lacrosse. Through this organization, Waters is able to help urban youth to develop athletic skills and the crucial life lessons that organized sports can provide. Waters is dedicated to assisting her players in achieving their goals while providing a positive example for each young athlete.