If you like soccer and having fun with your friends, you may have never seriously considered joining a soccer team. You may have thought that you were not good enough or that you were too old or too young. There are plenty of local teams these days, and if there isn’t one near you, why not create one?

1. Improve as a player
If you’re already a great footballer, you might get a little frustrated with the people you play with. Maybe you take your game seriously and want to improve, while your peers may see it as a bit of fun.

2. Play regularly
Playing soccer regularly will help you improve and you will learn a lot about the game. You could even change positions; You may have seen yourself as a defender, but the coach might see you as a winger or striker.

3. Exercise and fitness
Playing soccer will keep you fit and healthy, and if you’re serious about your game, you might start to think more about your body and diet. Lasting 90 minutes on a Sunday is a tough task, especially if you’re not used to it and you’re not in the best shape. However, you will soon improve if you are serious about your game.

4. Improve as a person
Becoming a regular on your soccer team will give you additional responsibilities and help you mature. You will have to arrive on time, bring your kit and be prepared for a training session or a match. This can help you be more organized at work and at home.

5. Make new friends
Joining a team will be a great opportunity to make new friends and benefit from your skills and experiences.

6. It is not expensive
Soccer is a cheap sport to participate in. There’s no need to spend a fortune on expensive equipment. As long as your boots are comfortable and you have suitable shin guards and gloves if you’re a goalkeeper, that’s probably all you’ll need, as your team will likely provide the rest of the gear.

7. Work as a team
Working as part of a team will help you play as a team, instead of 11 players. You will need to follow the coach’s instructions during a game, and training sessions will allow you to learn formations and tactics, as well as improve your fitness and skills.

8. Reach your potential
If you think you have what it takes to be a footballer, you’ll want to give it a try and not wonder if you could have made it as a professional. Joining a team will give you this opportunity.

9. Play like a pro
You can wear the same boots as your favorite player and try to emulate them, especially if you play the same position. He can spend a lot of time watching other football, to help him improve, or have the same discipline as a professional, since he takes the game seriously.

10. Because you enjoy the game
If you didn’t like playing soccer, you wouldn’t want to play it. So if you’re playing for one team and you’re not enjoying it, for whatever reason, why not consider putting in a transfer request and trying out for a different team?

You may not be the fastest winger with all the tricks, you may not get a hat trick in every game, but as a player on the team, you are just as important. If you let the team down, you let yourself down. If you take soccer seriously, you owe it to yourself to be the best player you can be.

Who knows, you might even get spotted by a talent scout, become a professional soccer player, and make it big!