Dove Cameron is a popular American actress and singer who is best known for playing both title characters in the Disney Channel teen sitcom Liv and Maddie from 2013 to 2017. However, before becoming an actress, Dove Cameron was an athlete who played several sports growing up.
Basketball
One of the main sports Dove Cameron played in her youth was basketball. She began playing basketball around the age of 5 and continued playing competitively through middle school.
In interviews, Dove has shared that basketball was the first sport she really fell in love with. She played for a regional youth basketball league from ages 8-12. During these formative years, she learned fundamental skills like dribbling, passing, shooting, and defense.
Dove has credited basketball with teaching her teamwork, discipline, and competitiveness. The fast-paced nature of basketball also allowed her to burn off some of her boundless childhood energy.
While Dove enjoyed her time playing youth basketball, she did not continue with the sport competitively in high school. Still, basketball holds a special place for her as her first major athletic pursuit.
Notable Basketball Accomplishments
- Played point guard and shooting guard positions
- Led her middle school team in assists and steals
- Won a regional championship in 6th grade
- Selected for All-Star teams in 7th and 8th grade
Softball
Another team sport that Dove Cameron participated in throughout childhood was softball. She began playing around age 7 and was involved in various youth softball leagues until starting high school.
Dove has said that softball did not come quite as naturally to her as basketball initially, but she grew to love it through perseverance and dedication. She started out playing second base and eventually became a pitcher and shortstop.
Softball taught Dove the value of continuous practice. As one of the smaller kids on her teams, she had to hone her skills tirelessly to keep up with bigger, stronger opponents. This helped her develop a strong work ethic.
While Dove did not take softball past 8th grade, she still regards it as an integral part of her athletic development. The hand-eye coordination and quick reaction times she gained from softball also helped with her future acting career.
Notable Softball Achievements
- Became starting pitcher in 7th grade
- Hit 3 home runs in 8th grade season
- Won team MVP award in 8th grade
- Maintained batting average over .300 each season
Volleyball
Dove Cameron also tried her hand at volleyball during her school years. She started playing in gym class in 5th grade and then joined a club volleyball team from 6th to 8th grade.
Though volleyball was newer to Dove than basketball or softball, she grew to excel at it through tireless work developing her technique. Her natural athleticism and competitiveness were assets as well.
Volleyball further honed Dove’s teamwork skills and taught her the importance of creativity on the court. She learned how to utilize different kinds of sets, spikes, blocks, and digs to outmaneuver opponents.
While volleyball ultimately did not become Dove’s strongest sport, she valued the opportunity to try something new and push herself in different athletic arenas.
Notable Volleyball Accomplishments
- Served as team captain in 8th grade
- Received Coach’s Award for Most Improved Player in 7th grade
- Helped lead team to a winning season in 8th grade
- Had one of the top vertical jumps on her team
Soccer
In addition to basketball, softball, and volleyball, Dove Cameron also participated in soccer during her youth. She began playing casual soccer around kindergarten and joined a league team starting in 3rd grade.
Dove has said that while she had natural speed and energy, the intricate footwork of soccer was initially challenging for her to master. Through determined practice, she gradually improved her dribbling, passing, shooting, and defending abilities.
Competitive soccer taught Dove offensive and defensive strategies. She learned to think critically about moving the ball up the field and reading opponents’ tactics. Soccer also kept Dove in excellent cardiovascular shape.
Though soccer ended up as more of a recreational sport for Dove, she still gained valuable teamwork, discipline, and mental toughness from her years playing it. The aerobic exercise and fun of the game enriched her childhood.
Notable Soccer Accomplishments
- Played as midfielder and forward
- Scored 6 goals in 8th grade season
- Won MVP award in 6th grade
- Made varsity soccer team in 9th grade as a freshman (did not join)
Swimming
Along with team sports, Dove Cameron also pursued swimming individually. She learned to swim around age 4 and began swimming competitively at 8 years old.
Dove quickly excelled at swimming and enjoyed the solo, repetitive nature of it. She had natural buoyancy and a strong flutter kick.
From ages 8-12, Dove competed on a year-round youth swim team. During these years, she drastically improved her swimming strength, endurance, and speed.
At meets, Dove competed mainly in freestyle, backstroke, and butterfly events. She won several medals and broke team records. Though she did not swim competitively past 12, the sport taught her the rewards of individual hard work and persistence.
Notable Swimming Accomplishments
- Won gold, silver, and bronze medals at county and regional meets
- Broke a team freestyle record at age 11 (100 meter)
- Qualified for All-Star swim team in 11-12 age group
- Named Swimmer of the Meet twice at invitational meets
Gymnastics
As a young, energetic child, Dove Cameron was also drawn to the creative artistry of gymnastics. She took recreational gymnastics classes from ages 6-10.
While Dove enjoyed learning the different apparatuses like floor, vault, bars, and beam, she did not pursue high-level competitive gymnastics. Still, recreational gymnastics gave her a valuable outlet for self-expression.
The tumbling skills Dove acquired in gymnastics later proved useful for choreography and stunt work in her acting career. Gymnastics also helped hone her strength, balance, and agility.
While not her most competitive sport, gymnastics allowed Dove to explore her athletic side in a more individual artistic realm outside of team sports. The dance elements interwoven with athletics resonated with her performance instincts.
Notable Gymnastics Skills
- Could consistently execute front and back handsprings
- Performed first unofficial back tuck at age 9
- Received high marks for balance beam routines
- Developed solid foundational strength in ring, high bar, and parallel bar skills
Horseback Riding
One more athletic hobby Dove Cameron pursued as a child was horseback riding. She first began taking lessons around age 10.
Dove quickly bonded with these majestic animals and spent years improving her equestrian skills. She learned how to properly mount, trot, canter, and eventually jump on horseback.
Though not a competitive team sport, horseback riding taught Dove patience, empathy, and care for other living creatures. It also built core strength and balance.
Dove enjoyed the sense of freedom and adventure that trail riding provided. Overall, horseback riding provided a fulfilling outdoor recreational escape for her and introduced a lifelong love of animals.
Notable Horseback Riding Achievements
- Completed beginner, intermediate, and advanced riding courses
- Won blue ribbon in a county 4-H horse show competition
- Could successfully jump small fences on horseback
- Handled grooming, feeding, and care of horses
High School Sports Focus
While Dove Cameron played a diverse array of sports growing up, she narrowed her athletic focus once she reached high school. At that point, acting and performing arts became her priority passion.
Dove did continue playing two sports recreationally in high school – volleyball and basketball. Joining the competitive high school teams would have required an intense commitment that conflicted with her burgeoning acting schedule.
Playing casually allowed Dove to maintain connections to her favorite team sports. Fitness remained important to her high school routine as well. Overall, her early experiences playing sports provided an invaluable foundation.
High School Athletic Highlights
- Played intramural volleyball all four years
- Joined after-school pick-up basketball games
- Took sports conditioning classes
- Ran cross country one season
Lasting Impact
While Dove Cameron’s ascent to fame occurred through acting rather than athletics, the impact of the sports she played from childhood through high school cannot be understated.
Dove has commented that the work ethic, teamwork, confidence, and determination she learned from sports profoundly influenced her. Sports kept her grounded through the trials of the entertainment industry.
Beyond concrete skills, playing various sports expanded Dove’s comfort zone. She became willing to take risks and fall down rather than let fear of failure paralyze her. This has enabled her success.
Dove retains a deep passion for health and fitness today. Her athletic background gave her energy, strength, and drive that continues to empower her demanding multi-faceted career.
Above all, the team spirit, passion, and perseverance Dove built through athletics as a young person taught her how to keep pursuing her dreams with integrity and resilience.
| Sport | Years Played | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Basketball | Ages 5-12 | Teamwork, competitiveness |
| Softball | Ages 7-13 | Perseverance, hand-eye coordination |
| Volleyball | Ages 10-13 | Vertical leap, creativity |
| Soccer | Ages 5-13 | Endurance, footwork skills |
| Swimming | Ages 8-12 | Individual persistence, strength |
| Gymnastics | Ages 6-10 | Tumbling skills, self-expression |
| Horseback Riding | Ages 10-12 | Balance, animal care |
Conclusion
In conclusion, Dove Cameron played an impressive array of sports in her preteen and early teen years, including basketball, softball, volleyball, soccer, swimming, gymnastics, and horseback riding. While acting eventually became her career focus, the physical skills, competitive spirit, and personal qualities Dove developed through athletics provided invaluable lifelong benefits that empowered her path to success.
