Conceptualising high-performing support teams in elite sport: Insights from leaders’ perspectives

High-performing support teams are increasingly central to success in elite sport, yet limited research has explored how leaders conceptualise and cultivate them in complex, multidisciplinary environments. This study examined the perceptions and experiences of high-performance leaders to identify the defining characteristics, behaviours, and conditions underpinning team effectiveness in sport. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve senior leaders from Olympic and Paralympic programs across Australia and the United Kingdom. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, generating four interrelated themes: (1) make-up of the team, (2) team cohesion and dynamics, (3) communication as a performance driver, and (4) leading in complex systems. Findings highlight that effective team performance depends not only on technical expertise but also on psychological safety, clarity of role, and a shared alignment to purpose. Leaders emphasised that boundary-crossing behaviours, trust, and deliberate communication channels enable collective problem-solving and adaptive functioning under pressure. Conversely, role ambiguity, ego, and interpersonal conflict were seen as key sources of dysfunction. The study extends existing leadership and team effectiveness frameworks by illustrating how systems thinking, strategic recruitment, and environment design are perceived to contribute to sustained performance. Practically, the findings offer guidance for sport leaders seeking to construct, align, and sustain high-performing interdisciplinary support teams within the unique constraints of elite sport.