Expanding your social circle
As adults, it can be more challenging to make new friends. However, friendship is essential to the health and well-being of people at all ages. Being part of a sports community can be a great way to meet people who share the same interests as you. For example, in a group class environment, there is always at least one thing that just about everyone has in common, so you can use that to strike up a conversation with the people around you.
The same goes for team sports. When playing volleyball, soccer, or hockey, you get a chance to really get to know your teammates over the course of many practices, victories, and defeats. The fact that you are all working together toward a common goal creates a certain camaraderie and trust within the team.