Student-athlete is more of an American phrase than a Bermudian one, but it does accurately describe the experiences of our young people participating in the variety of interschool competitions held throughout the scholastic year.

And while these events, and the training for them, usually happen outside regular school hours, playing sports can be an integral part of the total development of almost any child.

"Sports is mainly what got me through school," admits Darrin Lewis, the Department of Education's Acting Education Officer for Physical Education and Health.

He says participation in sports helps children in a variety of ways including improved self-esteem, enjoyment of school, self-discipline and learning the moral values of sportsmanship and working as part of a team.

"I think sports can really help kids who are not as academically inclined by giving them motivation to do well," continues Mr. Lewis. "And, as they say, 'a healthy body is a healthy mind', so it can help them with their studies as well."

And, as Mr. Lewis can attest, an interest in sports can lead to career opportunities.

It can also result in the development of lifelong friends. Manny Faria, who is the Bermuda School Sports Federation (BSSF) administrator, knows this as well as anybody.

He is a part of a local sporting and social group dubbed 'Tuff Dogs' who can be found represented in just about every adult sports league in Bermuda. Mr. Faria says the bonds created during school years definitely carry over into adult life:

"It's a good way to keep everyone connected. We (Tuff Dogs) were a collection of guys from different schools who were rivals but now we play together, so the connections you make are not just with your teammates but other people you get to know."

Sports can also be the ideal arena to learn some of life's most important lessons, particularly the balance between participation and competition.

"We have got to be careful with this," says Mr. Lewis of teaching . "We all want to win, but we need to coach and teach that there is a lot more to sports than just winning."

Like making friends and challenging yourself while becoming a well rounded, healthy, student-athlete.