Bonds, Team Bonds

More time spent together on the field may lead to more opportunities for team bonding, which could help incoming freshmen get a sense of the team culture and dynamics in addition to strengthening relationships with teammates.

In the past, teams that wanted to get a head start on incorporating rookies could hold captains’ practices or participate in summer leagues. Garguilo thinks these will still be useful for team bonding, but adding more structured practices with coaches would benefit the group, too.

“I like having captains’ practice because it’s where the team gets to know each other better, but one practice a week with more structure would be beneficial,” Gargulio says. “I think that alternating between a captains’ practice and one with the coach would be the best choice. Captains’ practices help me more mentally in bonding with the team.”

Charlotte Davis, a freshman three-sport athlete at Nonnewaug, agrees that summer practices with the coach can give athletes time to get acclimated.

“I’d see it as a good idea so that way you get team bonding before school starts,” Davis said. “You meet the team and everyone, and it could also help with incoming freshmen and their transition so it’s not all at once.”

Krystal Lionhood, a freshman, feels practices with coaches attending will further benefit freshmen.

“I think summer practices with the coaches are going to get new incoming freshmen acclimated to the team,” Lionhood said, “and is going to let freshmen be able to get to know their coaches and teammates better and be able to get better at their sport.” 

Ella Quinn, a sophomore three-sport athlete at Nonnewaug, echoes the idea that coaches being at summer sessions will allow teams to bond more and get a better feel for the team.

“I think it would be really beneficial because teams would be able to bond even more,” Quinn says. “Coaches would get more time to bond with their players.”

Extra time with the team over the summer will open up new possibilities for athletes to get a feel for each other before the season begins. 

“This will allow kids to create more chemistry amongst their teams and help all of Nonnewaug sports,” McGee said.