Leading the teams: role of captains in fostering teamwork in basic school sports

Team captains in basic school sports play a central role in cultivating teamwork and peer cooperation, yet their influence is often overlooked in research compared to coaches and older athletes. This study explored how captains foster teamwork in basic school sports teams, focusing on their strategies, challenges, and the perceptions of both captains and teammates. Guided by transformational leadership and social learning theories, a qualitative phenomenological approach was adopted. Sixteen participants consisting eight captains and eight teammates from four public basic schools were purposively selected using maximum variation to ensure diversity in gender, sport type, and leadership experience. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s (2022) framework. The findings revealed five major themes: captains serving as communication bridges, providing motivation and emotional support, mediating conflict with fairness, modelling sportsmanship and inclusivity, and navigating the challenges of leadership at a young age. Captains were viewed as role models who encouraged collaboration, but they also faced difficulties in balancing authority and friendship. The study concludes that captains, when properly guided, can significantly foster teamwork and positive peer dynamics in basic school sports. It is recommended that schools provide structured leadership training, mentorship from coaches, and implement rotational captaincy to expand leadership opportunities.