Abstract
The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of a novel teambuilding intervention that targets teamwork in sport. Utilizing a 10-week pilot controlled intervention design, 12 interdependent sports teams comprising 187 athletes were assigned to one of two conditions: an experimental condition where teams participated in two teamwork training sessions at weeks 2 and 6 of the study (six teams, 94 athletes) or a no-training control condition (six teams, 93 athletes). Teamwork was measured at weeks 1, 5, and 10 of the study. Overall, significant improvements in teamwork were shown for the experimental teams from baseline to week 5; these effects were maintained through week 10 of the study. In contrast, no significant changes in teamwork were observed for teams in the control condition over these 10 weeks. The results provide evidence that teamwork training can enhance the extent to which members of a sports team work effectively together.Acknowledgments: PhD Supervisor: Dr. Mark Beauchamp; PhD Committee Members: Dr. Mark Eys & Dr. Bruno Zumbo