The purpose of the current study was to implement and evaluate an athlete leadership development program in youth boys ice hockey.The sample consisted of 14 male U17 hockey players (M = 16.46, SD = 0.78) from one team playing in a competitive hockey league.The players participated in six leadership intervention workshops over the course of the season, and completed inventories measuring athlete leadership behaviours, cohesion, and collective Hammers efficacy pre-and post-intervention.
In addition, a focus group was conducted to assess the impact SERVING BOARD of the athlete leadership development program at the end of the season.Bayesian t tests showed that the leadership program generally helped to maintain levels of athlete leadership behaviours, cohesion, and collective efficacy pre-and post-intervention.The results of the focus group following the intervention revealed the players believed the leadership development program helped buffer against the negative effects of their on-ice performances.