According to Collegiate Flag Football, only around 100 varsity flag football teams exist, while Next College Student Athlete projects few schools will offer scholarships. Years of training, development, and dedication should not go unnoticed simply because players did not make it to the next level. In high school, fostering a strong team culture matters more than winning because it develops relationships and prepares athletes for life beyond the field.
At Jones College Prep, the administration recently changed the coaching staff. A new coaching staff came in, immediately prompting a shift in team culture. The team game became more exciting and a family relationship cultivated among the coaches and players. The National Federation of State High School Associations reports when students participate in an athletics department with a strong culture they develop confidence, empathy and a greater enjoyment for the sport. The strong culture on the flag football team provides an enjoyable experience for its athletes. “ The coaches make the team exciting…playing is fun with this group,” said Hannah Paskiewicz, a player from the Jones flag football team. Playing with freedom in a comforting environment allows players to develop as better people.
While making the game more enjoyable plays an essential part of sports, strong team culture embeds students with life skills that remain long after their career in athletics ends. As stated in the National Federation of State High School Associations, athletics builds discipline, perseverance, communication, adaptability, teamwork, leadership and accountability. These skills hold value in the careers students hope to pursue. The National Institute of Health reports that employers seek workers with problem-solving skills, communication, adaptability, leadership and other valuable skills. While players may not play collegiately, high school sports should serve as a training ground for future careers, not only winning games. “The culture is connected and everyone helps each other’s skills in school and life,” said Ariun Erdene Batmunkh, a player on the Jones flag football team.
At a selective-enrollment school like Jones College Prep, balancing school and sports often presents a real challenge. Trying to manage can add stress and prohibit students from excelling in the classroom. “The coaches are understanding when we have academics,”said KT Davis, a member of the Jones flag football team. This matters because the coaches do not force the players to decide between two important components of their lives. An environment that emphasizes academic excellence allows students to pursue their education while enjoying extracurricular activities.
A strong team culture allows athletes to feel valued no matter their performance in the game. A study from John Hopkins Medicine found that student-athletes struggle with anxiety, burnout, perfectionism and they tie their self-worth to athletic performance. However, when athletes have an established relationship with their teammates and coaches, comfort level increases when it comes to mistakes. Also, players work harder when they know regardless of their performance their team will not criticize them. In the long-term, players can make quick decisions with greater confidence because they trust themselves and feel less afraid of making mistakes. The score matters temporarily, but the lifelong connections and quick thinking last a lifetime.
In high school athletics, players, coaches, administrators and the school community all place importance on winning. A study from Rutgers University found winning can build confidence and school spirit, teach athletes how to handle failure, increase motivation and prepare them for the competitive world ahead. However, when winning becomes more important than fostering relationships, academics, and personal development high school sports can turn into an environment with excess pressure and overshadow the meaning of high school athletics. Prioritizing team culture strengthens the athlete as a complete person, rather than cultivate wins that won’t effective them later in life.
In high school athletics winning can often overshadow the importance of building a strong culture that gives students the tools for success on the field and in life. Ultimately, school sports have to take the emphasis off of only the score at the end of the game. Athletics departments should build a culture where athletes feel supported, encouraged to grow in relationships and excel academically.
Students should express their concerns to their athletic directors and coaches, to ensure they receive the necessary help. When a line of communication opens, school leaders can implement effective changes to help students. Students should carry trust, confidence and empowerment with them at the end of their high school careers. At the end of the season the scoreboard will turn off, but the impact of a supportive coach will forever leave a long lasting legacy on the life of an athlete.
