Great teamwork in girls sport
Teamwork build life skills and positive outcomes - we can all help create supportive teams.
Why is teamwork important?
Teamwork in girls sport helps build important life skills, confidence, resilience and friendships, supporting positive outcomes. It’s a big part of enjoying and succeeding in sport.
But research shows our girls can often feel judged or not good enough to take part in sport. Great teamwork helps make sport something girls enjoy, rather something they avoid.
How to support teamwork
- Teamwork thrives in a supportive environment, which we can create through:
- Role models: team captains and natural leaders can set the tone by showing respect and support to all teammates.
- Inclusive environment: everyone can help make the team safe, fair and welcoming. We can all help people feel included, get to know one another and work with different teammates.
- Positive reinforcement – celebrate not only teammates who win or score but also someone who goes out of their way to help another teammate, includes someone in an activity, or demonstrates respect.
Try this team building exercise
Want to get to know your teammates a bit better? Try one of these activities:
Team vision board – a team vision board can be a great visual representation of the team’s values, goals and aspirations. It can remind you of what you are working towards and what kind of culture you want in your team.
Pass the clap – in a circle with your team, begin by sharing something you admire about a teammate, you ‘pass the clap’ by giving them a single clap. It’s then their turn to share something they admire about another teammate.
Human knot – standing in a circle, everyone puts their right hand into the middle and clasps hands with someone across the circle. Then, everyone puts their left hand in and clasps hands with another teammate. The group is now in a knot and your job is to untangle yourself without anyone releasing anyone’s hand.
We’re all responsible for great teamwork
Coaches help create great teamwork, but we all have a responsibility to make sure everyone feels included, respected, safe and supported. These are they key ingredients of great teamwork, making sport more fun and inclusive.
More resources
Further reading: Reframing Sport for Teenage Girls: Tackling Teenage Disengagement - Women in Sport, opens in a new tab