Get Your Game On
ABOUT RMI CLUB
RMI Club was established in 2018 to provide facilities for and to promote participation in amateur football and other sports
WHY RMI CLUB'S FOCUS IS ON FOOTBALL
All sport is good for the mind and body - but playing a physically active sport such as football is an exceptionally great way to get (and stay) physically fit and a regular kickabout can also lead to improved mental health, social confidence and a sense of purpose
Many players say it improves stress and anxiety and after a game, feeling much more relaxed, some adding: “It would be great to do it every day”
Other benefits include building new social connections. Football provides a common interest for players and coaches, helping to form long lasting bonds. Some players say: “You talk about what has happened on the field. That is what the ice breaker is....that is where people gain their confidence then to talk to new people”
Another powerful element is the way in which becoming part of a team, sharing a pitch and having a common 'goal' helps to normalise feelings and allows the building of connections between individuals and as members of a team and the local community
In short - football helps people become healthier and happier and RMI Club is all about encouraging and incentivising people to play more football, or the sport of their choice, as much as they possibly can
The economic and social benefits of playing the beautiful game
► FA survey reveals enormous social and economic benefits of grass-roots football
► Grassroots game worth over £10bn to English economy and saves NHS £43m
► Are you too old to play football? – Playing football beyond 30s
Here’s how playing football can help change your lifestyle
Football is undoubtedly one of the most widely played and watched sport across the globe. There is a reason why it has such an enthusiastic fan following all around the world. To begin with, the sport in itself is such a thrill to indulge in and it also is, undeniably, an immensely exhilarating sport
One hour of football, if you play it or watch it, will leave you completely energized and endorphin-rushed. Apart from all the fun, it is a pleasurable sport that provides an all-round fitness and can be used as a treatment for lifestyle-related diseases. Here is why football is regarded by many across the world as 'the beautiful game'...
1) Football is a metaphor for life
This game asks players to push themselves further than they ever thought they could go. It literally challenges the player’s physical courage. It shows them what it means to sacrifice. It teaches them the importance of doing their job well. We learn to put others first, to be part of something bigger than ourselves. And we learn to lift our teammates – and ourselves – up together
2) Football demands discipline
Football is hard. It is tough. It requires intense training and the will to put in more efforts to excel at it. Therefore, it demands discipline. It teaches obedience and builds character
3) Increases aerobic capacity
Running (at any intensity) for 90 minutes requires a high level of stamina. Therefore, players often have a tremendous amount of aerobic capacity - being able to go from walking to sprinting and have a fast recovery to do it again, and again, and again
4) Increase confidence and self-esteem
Building physical strength and endurance helps build confidence in a player both on and off the field. Sports provide you with a sense of mastery and control, which often leads to a feeling of pride and self-confidence. Confidence and self-esteem not only impact sports performance, but also performance in school, career, family life and friendships
5) Teaches co-ordination and promotes teamwork and sharing
Football is a team sport. It requires co-ordination among the teammates, communication between the forward, defence and the goal keeper. This, in turn, promotes teamwork and a sense of sharing - skills that are applicable in day to day life
6) Teaches you to ‘think on the run’
This sport requires the players to be on the run until the game is over. Strategies need to be thought-out during the game and implemented as soon as opportunities arise. This requires quick reflexes and thinking. This enhances day to day decision-making skills as well
7) Improves your mood
Want a burst of happiness and relaxation? Get involved in football. Team sports, in particular, provide a chance to unwind and engage in a satisfying challenge that improves your fitness. They also provide social benefits by allowing you to connect with teammates and friends in a recreational setting
8) Improves your concentration
Regular physical activity helps keep your key mental skills sharp as you age. This includes critical thinking, learning and using good judgment. Research has shown that doing a mix of aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities are especially helpful
9) Reduces stress, depression and anxiety
When you are physically active, your mind is distracted from daily stressors. This can help you avoid getting bogged down by negative thoughts. Playing football reduces the levels of stress hormones in your body. At the same time, it stimulates the production of endorphins. These are natural mood lifters that can keep stress and depression at bay. Endorphins may even leave you feeling more relaxed and optimistic after a hard workout
10) Playing football improves sleep habits
Indulging in football and other forms of physical activity improve the quality of sleep. They do this by helping you fall asleep faster and deepening your sleep. Sleeping better can improve your mental outlook the next day, as well as improve your mood. Just be careful not to engage in sports too late in the day. Evening practices within a few hours of bedtime may leave you too energized to sleep
11) Playing football helps you maintain a healthy weight
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend sports participation as a healthy way to maintain weight. Playing football, which requires you to run, helps burn calories and helps you to stay fit. Staying within a recommended weight range reduces the likelihood of developing diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension
12) Football has been linked to leadership traits
Team sports such as football is a breeding ground for leadership traits. Studies done in high schools reveal a correlation between sports participation and leadership qualities. Because of the opportunity to train, try, win or lose together, people involved in sports are naturally more inclined to adopt a “team mindset” in the workplace and in social situations. The team mindset leads to strong leadership qualities over time
13) Increases cognitive brain function
Football helps increase skills in concentration, persistence and self-discipline because it is a fast-paced game that requires quick decisions on the field. Even when the tempo appears to slow down, players are constantly looking for territorial advantages, trying to position themselves to receive a pass or to defend an area the opponent may attack
14) Improves cardiovascular health
The average player runs 5 to 7 miles in a full game. The constant walking, jogging and running helps keep the players’ heart rates up, providing excellent cardiovascular exercise. This constant movement helps players strengthen their hearts, resist plaque build-up in the coronary arteries, reduce their blood pressure and burn excess calories
15) Builds muscle strength
Lower body strength is required for kicking, jumping, tackling, twisting and turning and also forms the foundation for explosive speed. Upper body strength is required for shielding the ball, holding off opponents, throw-ins and also contributes to overall power and explosiveness. Regular football playing builds strength by using the whole body
16) Increases bone strength
In general, bone density decreases as people get older. The repeated weight-bearing loads on the body during a football match is an excellent way to increase the strength of our skeletal frame. Maintaining fitness by playing football is a great way to keep bones strong
17) Teaches bodily co-ordination
Due to shifts between walking, running and sprinting, co-ordination is key to football. Body co-ordination is improved through the complex movements like dribbling, turning and passing, which are performed at varying rates of speed and direction. Hand-eye co-ordination is improved when players either kick the ball or receive a pass from someone. The better the co-ordination, the better advantage in a match
18) Is easily accessible
The sport requires very little equipment so it can be played in the backyard or park. It is relatively easy to learn, so beginners can easily join in the fun and play basic football for recreation
19) Is an outlet for reducing work stress
After a long day or week of hard work, playing football in the evening or weekend undoubtedly helps to reduce work stress
20) Helps to form friendships with team members
Playing a large active team sport such as football (which requires 22 players for a full team match) helps to form bonds and relationships, which is good for the mind
To sum up:
Regularly playing a cardio-intensive sport such as football can boost your self-esteem and help you to concentrate, sleep and feel better. Football, or any other active sport, helps to keep your vital organs and your mind healthy. There is no end to the list of benefits you can gain from playing any sport and especially so when you play an active, physically challenging and mentally invigorating sport such as football. So get your game on!
