The role of sport captaincy affecting the overall performance on an athlete

Abstract

Leadership in sport is a very important aspect in sport and is an aspect that can have a big role in determining whether a team is successful or not. Different bodies within a team setting all need to work together and have to be aligned the same way in order for the leadership to have a positive effect on the team (Believe perform, 2013). At the spearhead of the leadership structure of a team is the captain of the team that leads the team into battle when competing against other opponents. The importance of a sport captain has to be recognized as a good captain can lead their team to success and victory whereas, a weak captain that has poor leadership abilities can deteriorate the team`s chance of success and victory (Hsin-Yi Cohen BSc, 2016). Sport captaincy is a much coveted position in sport teams and is also regarded as the most important position in the team. However, with the prestige of being captain come added roles and responsibilities. The additional leadership responsibility does not necessary ensure that the overall performance of an athlete will remain at a preselected level. There is a complex relationship between factors impacting on whether captaincy will improve or deteriorate performance. Some of these factors can be the fact that the captain has to divide his attention in a game situation while at the same time still having to perform well him or herself. The captain also has to manage the behavioral issues of the players in the team, on and off the field, and also has to manage the referee during game situations so that certain decisions will go the way of his/her team. These factors can help to improve the performance of a captain while others factors will lead to the captain`s performance deteriorating. 10 In taking all of the factors into consideration it can be asked that, if all the added pressure that goes with being the captain and leader of a team and having to set the example for the rest of the team have an impact on the overall performance of the athlete. Will the added roles and responsibilities associated with being the leader of the team hamper the performance of a captain as player, or will it provide the athlete with the necessary boost to perform even better in his/her sporting code? The study posed the following question: ‘How does the role of sport captaincy impact on the overall performance of an athlete?’ The study utilised a qualitative research approach to data collection and analysis. Research participants were selected through a process of non-probability key informant sampling. Data was analysed according to themes that surfaced throughout the data collection phase. The study found that, even though the role of captain of a sport team carries additional responsibility, players perceive the additional responsibility to be a motivating factor. The function of the captain as bridge between the coach and the players surfaced as an important role played by the respective captains. It was further emphasised that this leadership role should not be shouldered alone and that the responsibility must be shared with peer leaders in the team. Clear communication was also highlighted as important ingredient in achieving team cohesion and, as a result, to be successful as team.