The importance of Balance in Captaincy

In sports, the strongest teams are often only as strong as their weakest person, but to be the best, you need to have a good leader. 

The captain of a boat club holds a far higher level of responsibility than most people think. When you are in an environment that requires a cohesive and collective group of individuals to work in tandem, a certain level of social responsibility is expected of you. However, being a captain is a completely different ball game. It requires far more attitude and authority than one may expect, not merely is it a flimsy title to put on UCAS personal statement or a CV and shouldn’t be approached as such, instead the honour should come with a willingness for responsibility. It requires the individual to have an incredibly high level of empathy, maturity, and organisation, and have to put themselves in other people’s mindsets, dragging teammates up from their lowest lows, often without having to put themselves last. Being simultaneously selfish and selfless. 

Often being a leader is quite a lonely experience, it requires you to be everyone’s friend wile maintaining almost professional boundaries at the same time. It requires you to be the bigger person, no matter the scenario. It often requires you to have to be someone who does have to face consequences you don’t want to face and have conversations that make you feel uncomfortable. You have to be prepared to be unpopular and at times alone, then suddenly be thrust into situations where everyone wants and needs you. Of course, these positions of authority are not exclusive to a ‘captain’ figure. Wether a coach, or someone who simply makes calls in a boat, these same principles apply, it can be hard to maintain respect for someone who is potentially criticising your performance, but knowing this criticism is for the good of the crew can help minimise this disagreement. These leaders need to be flexible and willing to absorb any negative retaliation all while dishing out praise, putting emotion aside and to set an example that the rest must follow. Whether that means turning up early, staying after a session is over and planning for the future, you have to set an example. You have to withstand the storm, but also know when your ego isn’t in check. You must take responsibility for everything and leave no gaps, you are the person whom the buck stops at, and as a leader, you have to understand that you have to create an environment that works for all.  

In our sport, it can be a challenge – it is brutal, and you either make it or you don’t. There really are no points for second place. Often you will be training in and out every day just to have a chance at a position, nothing is guaranteed. Clubs need strong captains that are able to take the highs and the lows and are still able to deliver, they need to be prepared to put their own personal feuds aside and do what is best for the club, the best leaders I have ever had understand this. The best captain I have ever been under is the one who currently leads my club. He has the ability to be fair and balanced and has always pushed the community forward in the right direction. Yet he still stands by all of us and me. He supports everyone equally and goes way beyond what is asked/ needed of him. He holds the racing squad together by himself, yet he also balances everything else going on not only in his personal life but others around him. I am always in awe of him and everyone has a huge amount of respect and time for him, and he deserves every bit of it.

You are the club and the club is you, you will be held accountable for mistakes and triumphs respectively. You can’t hide behind anyone or anything – and that it is hardest bit. But if you are thinking of going for a leadership position at your club at school, know that those who will succeed the greatest are those who can maintain a healthy balance in the rowing space and be an actively positive role model to be around.

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Ben Stanworth

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