Communitas and cohesion on a men's recreational slow pitch softball team in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

Dykstra, Robert John Clarence (2004) Communitas and cohesion on a men's recreational slow pitch softball team in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

Teamwork and cohesiveness are understood to be important elements for sports teams. This research explores the construction of unity on a men's voluntary, nonprofessional, recreational slow pitch softball team in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador by linking Victor Turner's concept of communitas with the notion of cohesion in sports psychology. The social and symbolic aspects of egalitarianism are considered throughout. The team is discussed as a form of friendship, while also recognizing that team structure may influence the development of relationships between players. The ways that participants balance discourses of fun and competition are described as key elements relating to the sport and to team identity. Drinking alcohol and uses of humour are also discussed in relation to the expression of meaning within the game and in terms of social interaction among the players.

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