Thanks to the efforts of a group of students at the Biddeford Middle School, a swim team will be formed to compete in this winter sport.

At a school committee meeting last week, students petitioned the board to start an unfunded swim team at the school.

Students such as Shane Moore, who has been competitively swimming for four years with the Northern York County Family YMCA Manta Rays Swim Team, were present to seek support and get a new team started. Despite access to the pool at the YMCA, Biddeford is the only community in the area without a middle school swim team, said Moore.

We agree with the young man, who said swimming is a great sport and helps young people stay healthy and meet new friends. In addition to the health and social benefits, school sports promote team work and keep teens from getting into trouble after school when they’re idle and their parents may still be at work.

Junior high and middle school sports also prepare student athletes for high school athletics, which are more competitive and demanding. Learning to balance the requirements of teachers and academics with that of practices and games is useful to students at a younger age, before their workload increases in high school.

Perhaps the most remarkable part of this whole story, however, is that the students raised the money and petitioned the school committee to get a swim team started.

In a time of smartphones, Twitter and Facebook, it’s heartening to see young people are still interested ”“ and even passionate ”“ about activities that do not require a computer or Internet-capable device.

The students at BMS raised $500 to pay for pool time and plan to raise the money necessary to compete by the time the season begins this winter. The initiative taken by these students is impressive and should be applauded.

As it comes time again to formulate an annual budget ”“ when the students are mid-season into their swimming ”“ we hope the school committee considers funding this program and other after-school sports teams that help students become healthy, responsible individuals while building school spirit and pride for one’s community.

The price is well worth the payoff.

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Today’s editorial was written by City Editor Robyn Burnham representing the majority opinion of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.