When imagining what playing a high school sport might look like, many people picture a student athlete running laps around a track, scoring touchdowns or hitting home runs. But what about the students who aren’t interested in the mainstream sports getting all the attention? There are numerous niche sports that offer amazing physical, mental and social benefits, and it is about time that DVHS gives them the attention they deserve.
Not everybody is interested in high-intensity sports where they have to jump, run or tackle people. Some athletes are more interested in improving their focus, patience and precision. Besides golf, DVHS has no sports available for these students to participate in. This leads me to my first proposal: DVHS should add archery to their athletic program. Archery teaches control, coordination and concentration while also being a great avenue for students to socialize and build self-confidence. These qualities would all be beneficial to students inside and outside the school environment.
For students who are eager to participate in an activity that requires a strategic mindset as well as athletic capability, rock climbing is the perfect sport to add to the DVHS athletic program. Rock climbing boosts one’s endurance, flexibility and strength, which, in turn, improves their physical well-being and mental health by relieving stress, building confidence, and teaching them to think on the spot. Another huge advantage of adding rock climbing is that it is perfect for injured student athletes looking to play a noncontact sport. Due to minimal repetitive movements, rock climbing has a low impact on your body, while still offering a solid workout. As a student athlete with a knee injury, I am unable to play contact sports, and this limited my options for high school athletic activities when I was a freshman. Personally, if rock climbing had been an available option, I would have pounced on it, and I’m sure there are many student athletes with injuries at DVHS who would too.
Finally, many students miss out on the opportunity to play sports in high school because they realize too late that they want to get involved, and by the time they realize, most traditional sports teams require extensive prior experience. For these students who want a second chance at sports, pickleball offers an appealing alternative. With its simpler rules and slower pace, students can join with little athletic experience and still be part of a team and stay physically active. Just because these students were late to the game doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to play.
Yes, starting a new sports program would cost the school some money, but it’s not like I’m proposing that we build a brand-new stadium or pool. The equipment required for these sports are less expensive than they seem. There are even grants to help schools fund these underrecognized sports, such as the CalNASP (California National Archery in the Schools Program) Equipment Grant. Besides, even if these sports end up costing more than expected, there will at least be more opportunities for students at DVHS to join these sports and get more involved with the school, which I would argue is money well spent.
I’m not suggesting that DVHS should sponsor mindless hobbies for students. I’m merely suggesting that they support all athletes, and give everyone a chance to discover a sport they love. This means supporting each and every DVHS student – not just the ones who enjoy traditional, mainstream sports.
