Participating in sports shapes a person and a team. However, this culture around sports can end up being negative because of the stereotypes and associations people tend to make about teams.

For example, when there is a negative social vibe surrounding a sport, like with the football team, fewer people play, which keeps potential athletes from joining.

Another consequence of labeling sports teams is that students identify groups like the “hockey-boys” or “soccer-girls.” This labels a group of people who are more than the sport they play, but also unnecessarily isolates them.

People end up viewing these students as part of an impenetrable, unapproachable group rather than potential friends and fellow peers. Shaming, stereotyping or labeling sports teams needs to stop. The people who choose to play do so because they love it and everyone should be allowed to join whatever team they want without feeling judged because of a win/loss record or team reputation and put in a box by the whole community.