In August, Marlborough held a new leadership workshop, led by Pam Herath from Health Consulting, that was required for all high school athletes who wanted to be captains of their fall sports teams. 

While Marlborough’s sports teams have always had specific requirements for their captains, this newly implemented workshop was open to all fall athletes, which allowed high school team members the opportunity to flourish and grow as leaders. 

There were two different workshops held, one for the coaches and the other for high school athletes. 

On Aug. 16, the coaches were pushed to establish an objective for what they want their teams to look like, in terms of the bonding and sportsmanship among the team members.

During the students’ workshop the next day, the athletes learned about their individual leadership styles by analyzing character traits of leaders they know of in their own lives. Then, they reflected on how they could incorporate those characteristics into the spirit of their own team. 

The workshop also helped athletes gain a deeper understanding of the role leadership plays in achieving success. All participants were introduced to a variety of scenarios that paralleled potential conflicts within teams, including overcoming a lack of team spirit and lifting team members up if a fellow teammate was down. 

“It has helped a majority of the athletes in their interactions with their coaches and teammates because it was important to make sure they were on the same page,” Athletic Director Sheila Pauley said. “I also think it’s easier for the teams to hold each other accountable now because they all went through the experience together.”

The workshop advised the older grades to recognize the importance of being role models for their teammates in lower grades. Both the volleyball and tennis players who attended the workshop spoke about its many positive effects.

“Learning about my individual leadership style really helped me on court because it enhanced my dedication to the team and allowed me to connect with the younger people,” Varsity tennis player Emma ‘23 said.

The objective of this leadership workshop was to cultivate a culture among team members that prioritizes bonding.

“It allowed us to truly feel connected, and it led us to establish different rituals, such as a check-in before games, that allowed us to enter a more focused mindset,” Varsity volleyball player Novin ‘24 said. 

Leadership is a key component to the success of any team. This workshop gave both coaches and players the skillset to be a leader in their own way. Throughout their seasons, these athletes will be able to use the tools learned to better themselves and their teams.