Best Movies For Bringing Your Sports Team Together

by Kevin Faber

It is a plain and simple fact that sports teams work better when each member feels some kind of bond with one another. This bond may have to be coaxed into existence by a team member who wants it or a coach who thinks his or her team will play better that way. It is definitely worth trying out, so no matter what sport you play, you should consider doing a team bonding activity. A great example of this sort of activity could be watching an inspiring sports film together. Over popcorn, sodas, laughter and maybe even some tears, you may find that your team becomes closer than ever before. Here are five great classics that can help you achieve your goal.

**1. The Sandlot (1993)**

At its core, this film is about a group of neighborhood kids who love to spend time together by playing their favorite sport: baseball. This movie follows a young, dorky kid who has recently moved to a new town and hopes to make some friends. Over time, he starts playing baseball with his neighbors and they develop a deep friendship rooted in the love of the sport. One of them even turns out to be a great professional player! The Sandlot speaks to the importance of a friendly but determined leader and the cruciality of a team that works well together. A sweet scene to watch out for is when the leader of the group, Benny, gives the new kid on the block, Smalls, one of his baseball gloves and a hat so he can play more often with the team.

**2. Invictus (2009)**

This movie is a tour de force that showcases how crucial it is to have a team that works together on and off of the field. Invictus is about a rugby World Cup team, South Africa, and the political throes they get into as South Africa ends apartheid. Nelson Mandela, recently released from prison, is elected president of South Africa and believes that he can utilize the sport of rugby to break down racial divides in his country. The movie shows that despite team members being different races from different backgrounds, they can come together to achieve something through sports that resonates throughout the entire world.

**3. Miracle (2004)**

Miracle is a classically great movie that is perfect for a team bonding night. This film is about the popular upset win of the USA hockey team against the Russians in the 1980 Winter Olympics. This true story showcases the beauty that happens when a team bleeds, sweats and works hard together to achieve goals nobody else thought was possible through sheer force of will.

**4. Facing the Giants (2006)**

There are many football films out there, but this is one of the great ones that focuses on the importance of teamwork. In this film, a small Christian high school tries to defy all odds by working together in unity under their belief system. Whether or not you or your team members are religious, this film shows what you can achieve as a team when you work as one.

**5. A League of Their Own (1992)**

This classic baseball movie is about a group of girls who are essentially a joke to the world until one talented coach shows them that through hard work, team work and determination, they can show the country that women can play the game and can play it well. This is a specifically great option if you are coaching an all girls team as it shows the struggles and triumphs specific to being a female athlete.’

Conclusion

Even if you choose a movie to bond over that is not about the sport your team plays, it will never hurt to show them what any team could aspire to in terms of teamwork. From baseball to rugby to football, or any sport in between, it pays off to grow as a team unit on the field and off the field. Watching one or more of these movies could open the door to your team members becoming friends as well as teammates.