There are many different aspects to a team and getting to know each other is an important part of working together on and off the field. 

     Our North Harford teams have been very busy with team bonding during team dinners. 

     Senior captain Clare Cummings said that the girls’ soccer team has already done a few team dinners this season. 

     “We usually do team dinners the night before or week of a big game. They’re usually organized by the captains of the team or whoever is hosting that particular time,” Cummings said.   The girls usually eat, talk, and hangout as team outside of the school and soccer setting. At their last dinner, the girls got ready for spirit week by painting T-shirts for class colors day. 

     Cummings said, “I think team dinners are really important in improving the team’s communication on and off the field. My favorite part of the dinners is the dumb inside jokes that come out of them and just being with my teammates without the pressure of a game or practice.” 

     The field hockey team has also been busy with team dinners once a week after practice or a game. 

     Junior Autumn Tagliaferri said, “We usually have team dinners to take the stress off us after a practice or stressful game. It’s a way for us to bond and have fun.” Their dinners are usually organized by team moms. Each volunteered parent has a night, and they bring food. Small games are usually organized for the girls to play. 

     “My favorite part is seeing and learning things about others that I don’t get to see on the field. One of my teammates is a really good singer and I would’ve never known that had we not had team dinners. I also really like the activities we get to do, like tie dye, pin the tail on the donkey, or Minute to Win It games.” 

     The cheerleading team is organizing their first dinner for this Saturday, and senior captain Kaylyn Shew said she is very excited for their team dinner. 

     “We usually have dinners once or twice a season. When we have had team dinners in the past we went out to a restaurant or went to someone’s house and did fun activities there.” For the cheer team, the captains organize dinners. They eat food, socialize, and do fun activities and games together. 

     Shew said, “The team loves doing dinners because it brings everyone closer together. Being close with your teammates is very important so that we work together at and after practices and games. My favorite part about our team bonding is being together with the team and seeing everyone getting along. “ 

     Cummings, Tagliaferri, and Shew all agreed that they look forward to their team bonding sessions and are all looking forward to many more throughout the fall season.