Every fall the sports teams at BVN take the field, and leading those teams are selected senior captains. The senior captain of the cheer team, Chloe Costa, describes her role as a unique and rewarding experience that comes with its own set of challenges and responsibilities which include demanding leadership, dedication and a deep understanding of the sport.
“The other captains and I work really hard to pick out uniforms for games that we think everyone might like and make sure everyone’s doing their job during practice time, but being captain isn’t just those things, it’s also making sure everyone feels welcome and they’re being encouraged to do their best, no matter the circumstances,” Costa said.
One of the responsibilities of a senior captain is to lead by example. According to Costa, this means showing up to every practice and game with a positive attitude, a strong work ethic and a commitment to improving both individually and as a team.
“I have to be able to encourage people even when they’re down on themselves and make sure everything’s going smoothly so everyone stays safe,” Costa said. Costa also shares that being captain is about seeing the good in everything they do, even when things don’t go as planned.
According to Nathan Broekhuizen, a senior captain of the boy’s soccer team at BVN, communication is another critical skill for a senior captain.
“Communication is the most important thing on the field,” Broekhuizen said. “There’s a lot of talking involved, I’m sort of the voice of the team, so I’m always yelling and screaming at my players, trying to get them into the right position on the field.”
Broekhuizen has been playing soccer for upwards of 12 years; he describes how captains especially have to possess a comprehensive understanding of the game, including tactics and plays. A captain is also someone who not only knows the strengths and weaknesses of their team, but their opponents as well.
When asked what traits are essential for a team captain, Broekhuizen said that a good mindset, remaining calm and being a good leader are important.
Being a senior captain can open doors to future opportunities. According to Costa, she hopes her position as cheer captain will help her reach her future goals.
“I really enjoy it because cheerleading has been a huge part of my life for so long and being able to watch the team grow and achieve,” Costa said. “All of our goals have been truly inspiring and have inspired me to continue throughout college.”
