Although each kid plays the same sport and represents the same team, there are a plethora of different identities and backgrounds. Families come from all over the place and have different careers and life paths. Making the effort to get to know the families of who your kid is playing with opens doors to another world. Surprisingly enough, the same way friendships between athletes are built, friendships between parents can grow strong too. It isn't enough to just show up to practice, games, and tournaments. Instead, get out there with your kid and the rest of your family in order to build a strong hub around your team. Whether that is hosting a barbecue or organizing a team event, it is important to realize that being a part of a team can be much more than your kid just playing the sport that they love.