Sports On The Rise

While sports are still incredibly popular in the United States, we are also fighting an ongoing obesity epidemic, and physical activity has been replaced with time on phones, games, and in front of the TV. Traditional sports such as basketball, football, and baseball are still mainstays in our culture, and even soccer is on the rise in popularity. If you are looking to get involved in a new sport, or get your children interested at an early age, there are many new sports to choose from. In the U.S., there has been growing interest in lacrosse, rugby, field hockey and roller hockey, and these sports might be just the thing to get you involved in a great physical activity. Read on to see what each of these sports is all about!

Lacrosse

Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S., and this spring and summer sport appeals to men, women, and kids. Participation in lacrosse grew 47 percent from 2010 to 2015 and doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Kids who don’t feel drawn to any of the traditional sports should consider lacrosse; this game looks a lot like soccer while utilizing some of the quick moves of sports like basketball. In lacrosse, players run across a field carrying sticks with baskets on the ends, passing a small, rubber ball, and trying to land the ball in one of the goals at either end of the field. Each lacrosse team has 10 players, and they wear protective gear to protect themselves from the high speed ball being passed around the field. Like soccer and basketball, lacrosse is a team sport that requires communication and working together, and players must develop extreme accuracy in their shots. Lacrosse involves a lot of running, so players are constantly developing their speed and stamina, and getting great physical exercise. Lacrosse is truly an American sport, invented by Northeastern Native American tribes as early as the 1400s, and could be played with up to 1,000 players at once! If you have been looking for a new sport to try, lacrosse is a great option!

Rugby

Another sport on the rise is rugby, seeing a 43 percent rise since 2010, seeing the biggest growth of any sport in individuals 18-24 years old. Major sports channels now carry rugby games, especially after rugby was included in the 2016 Olympics Summer Games. Rugby is similar to American football, and is a fast-paced game that utilizes a similar looking ball to score goals. While rugby may look unfamiliar, and uses terms such as  “pitch”, “scrum”, “ruck” and “maul”, this game is a lot of fun! Unlike American football, there are very few stops in the action during a rugby game, and players on the field play both offense and defense. Like soccer, rugby can be played with just a ball, and this sport is gaining participants quickly. If you already love football, you probably will also love playing rugby!

Field Hockey 

If you live on the east coast of the U.S. you have probably been exposed to field hockey, but for some people this sport is somewhat of a mystery. Field hockey has its roots thousands of years back in ancient Greece, and first appeared in public schools in the UK in the 19th century. This game can be played on grass or turf, like soccer, and players use sticks to hit a hard, round ball into goals at opposite ends of the field. Unlike soccer, in field hockey you only want to hit the ball with the stick, not with any part of your body. Although more men than women play field hockey worldwide, in the U.S. it is primarily regarded as a women’s sport. This has been changing in recent years, as more boys become interested in this fast, fun sport, and joining teams. If you love ice hockey, you should try out field hockey!

Quidditch

Yes, you read that right—Quidditch! This is, of course, the game that originated in J.K. Rowling’s world of Harry Potter, and has been gaining popularity. Yes, there are broomsticks (although no one is flying on them), and Quidditch combines tag, rugby and dodgeball to emerge as a truly unique sport. There are more than 170 official college teams, and there were thousands of spectators at a U.S. Quidditch-sponsored event in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina recently. Who knows if Quidditch can stand the test of time and endure as an American sport, but if combining magic, wizardry, and sports seems appealing, Quidditch might be for you! Quidditch is also a great way to get your bookworm kids to take interest in a sport that has come alive straight out of the pages!

 

So if you have felt like basketball, baseball and football just aren’t for you, or your kids, don’t despair! There are so many choices of sports these days, and they are rising in popularity. At Moneyball Sportswear we want to provide custom uniforms for any sport you want to play—and yes, we offer Quidditch uniforms! We are committed to providing the highest quality for any of your team uniforms, whether they have basic designs, or more complex and intricate designs. Whatever new sport you choose to play, whether it is lacrosse, rugby, or even Quidditch, make your experience that much better with a custom team uniform from Moneyball Sportswear. With so many options, there is no reason to neglect joining a team—go out and find your perfect sport!