Once a coach/team has it’s season integrated plan cemented, encompassing all training, biomotor & individual commitments. The next challenge for the coach is to design and implement a program for fostering & promoting a positive & powerful team ethos. This is achieved through ‘Team Building’.

Plummer & Rougeau (1997), state that there are five essential components required for developing successful teams:
1. Cooperation: A common vision must be identified, and ensure that this and what can be gained as a group is put above individual gains.

2. Commitment: A commitment to the common vision and underlying values is required to be undertaken by each team member.

3. Contribution: Each individual must be willing to provide their expertise, and must be able to both take a leadership role and back seat as required by the situation.

4. Communication: The cornerstone of effective team building and successful teams is communication and subsequently working together to overcome obstacles and adversity. If team members don’t communicate off the field, then they won’t communicate on the field, if they don’t communicate on the field – they won’t be successful!

5. Trust: ‘Belief that people will do as they say is the foundation for all personal interaction’[1]. Players must ensure that their focus is 100% on their own contribution, trusting that other individuals will do the same. When this occurs, mutual group support and confidence is fostered, and a pure team effort results.

[1] Plummer, O.K, Rougeau, D, ‘Team Building Magic for All’, Strategies July/August 1997, p22