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Police officers are expected to serve and protect while risking it all in the line of duty. Shooting reactive targets on the practice range is a far cry from the on-duty experiences that law enforcement faces on a daily basis. Over the past ten years there have been close to 60,000 physical assaults on members of the police, according to data from government sources. Last year, more than 65 police officers died as a result of criminal actions, and 62 of those were killed by a gunshot. The need for adequate protection for all police officers couldn?t be clearer.

Body armor clothing can play a significant role in saving the lives of those who have sworn to protect the public. In fact, over a 30 year span, more than 3,000 police lives have been spared as a result of bulletproof body armor and other forms of protective clothing. Shootings are the second leading cause of death for law enforcement officer, after car accidents, with gunshots making up more than 33% of all police officer deaths in the last decade.

In New York City alone body armor clothing has been responsible for saving the lives of 87 law enforcement officers in the period since 1978. Those who do not wear ballistic body armor are 3.4 times more likely to die from a gunshot wound than those who do wear police duty gear. No body armor is 100% effective against all types of ammunition, but most types of body armor can offer protection against certain bullet types, while other types offer resistance against other weapons such as knives. Although as much as 71% of all local police departments required that such body armor clothing is worn as of 2013 statistics, there are still many that don?t.

Ensuring that all police officers are afforded the opportunity to use this saving gear is vital to the continued effectiveness of the police force, yet falling police budgets make it difficult for all departments to do so. Law enforcement safety should be a priority to safeguard police so that they can continue to do their job. By lobbying local departments and government, the public can play a role in ensuring that police officers have the tools needed to do their jobs effectively and safely.

Have you thought about a travel soccer tour? It is essentially a trip to a destination, typically internationally, to watch a series of exciting soccer games. It includes tours of the country, to appreciate the unique cultural experience and how soccer fits into the culture of the country. If this sounds like the perfect trip for you, you are in good company! According to a survey done in 2012 by Sports Travel Magazine, 27% of all trips taken that year were for the sole purpose of attending an organized sporting event. Additionally, 90% of all trips in general included some sort of sports activity. That is a large percentage of people who appreciate sports! Let’s learn about some benefits you may not be aware of yet of an active sport such as soccer, facts about soccer around the world, and why you should consider travel soccer tours.

First, here are some health benefits of playing soccer. Soccer is mainly cardio; a professional soccer player runs 3.9 miles (48 kilometers) during a typical soccer game. The constant cardio helps a person to have a strong heart and lungs, as well as muscles and be fit in general. Because of the endorphins released during exercise, it also has emotional health benefits. In a recent survey of students, of those who only exercised zero to one day each week, 35.7% reported feeling sad for two weeks or more in the past 12 months. However, of those who exercised six to seven days a week, the number was reduced to 25.1% who felt sad for the same amount of time. Participating in an activity such as soccer can also have long term benefits. It has been found that young people who play sports at eight times more likely to have an active lifestyle at age 24 as their peers who did not play sports as an adolescent. Also, a survey of 400 female corporate executives showed that 94% played a sport; 61% of them say that has had a contribution to their career success. Promoting an active, healthy lifestyle in individuals when they are young definitely instills confidence and can contribute to success for the rest of their lives!

Next, here are some facts about soccer around the world that may help you determine where to go on a travel soccer tour. Organizes soccer has its roots in England; the rules of the game were drawn up in 1848 at Cambridge University. Now, English soccer (or football, as it is called there) leagues are organized in a hierarchical structure in which the 20 best teams play in a grouping called the Premier League. In Italy, their national soccer association formed in 1898 and is called Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio, or FIGC. It is part of the Union of European Football Associations, or UEFA. The national team played their first game in 1910 and had a successful beginning by beating France 6 to 2. Additionally, soccer by far the most popular sport in Sweden. There are more than 240,000 licensed players, and 56,000 of them are women. Sweden currently boasts 45 national stadiums. Obviously, Europe has a big part to play on the international soccer stage; a traditional soccer ball has 32 panels, one for each country in Europe. A European travel soccer tour is guaranteed to be a great trip!

Soccer/football is also extremely popular in Central America. Costa Rica is definitely the most successful team there; they played their first game as a national team in 1921. Costa Rica has qualified for four World Cups since that year, which were hosted by the following countries: Italy (1990), South Korea and Japan (2002), Germany (2006), and Brazil (2014). Portugal has also played in six World Cups. Soccer is a large part of the culture of Central America; for example, even towns that have less than 200 residents in Costa Rica and Guatemala have soccer fields. Central America is another great destination for a travel soccer tour!

Whether you choose to go to Europe or Central America for a travel soccer tour, you are guaranteed a wonderful time of soccer games, rich cultural experiences, and the opportunity to meet new people. It is an amazing international experience you don’t want to miss out on!