Sportsmanship is the innate spirit of champions. In the crucible of sports, individuals explore their true potential to forge an athlete out of themselves. Beyond competition, sports are all about camaraderie, companionship, capacity building, and bonding through team spirit —a team united under a charismatic captain, never giving up in the face of a formidable adversary or the most challenging adversity.
That is why Vicki Sutton and Ria Burrage-Male, the Co-founders of Captains Clubhouse, have always loved sports since they can remember.
The Inevitable Path: A Lifelong Passion for Sport
“Sport is at my core, from as far back as I can remember, it’s been a part of my life,” recalls Ria. Venturing into the sports industry was always going to be her path, and it has taken her in different directions: from PE teacher to director of Education and Inclusion at a football charity, to CEO of Hockey Wales, to setting up a leadership and wellness business, and ultimately to the Captain’s Clubhouse.
Similarly, Vicki has grown up watching sport, and it was the only career path she was ever interested in. She says, “I’ve been fortunate enough to work in national governing bodies, umbrella organisations and private sports businesses, so I have had a really great range of experiences in my career so far.”
They have both worked with Captains of teams and have also been Captains themselves, discussing the idea of providing more support for people in that vital role for a long time. Then, this year, the stars aligned, and they both had the time and energy available to bring it to life.
Captains Clubhouse was built with one clear mission: to give Sports Captains the leadership space they’ve always needed, but never had. Captains are expected to lead, inspire, and perform, often without the tools, training, or support to do it well. “So we created something different. Something better.”
Championing Change: Navigating Unequal Terrains
The sports world remains predominantly male-led in many regions. However, while navigating the unequal terrains, Ria says she never let it stop her from chasing her ambitions. Even when she’s been surrounded by misogyny and homophobia, she’s refused to let it slow her down. “I’ve tolerated a lot over the years,” she reveals.
Vicki adds, “Same here. And honestly, we stand on the shoulders of many change-makers who came before us, people who pushed through even harder barriers. That’s why it’s so important we keep championing and celebrating women, lifting each other, and building circles that include strong male allies too.”
Ria agrees, “Absolutely. Success really comes down to who you surround yourself with, people who support you, challenge you, and share your values,” while Vicki complements, “And staying focused. Staying in your lane. That’s the key. Block out the noise and keep going.”
With those beliefs firmly rooted in their vision, the inception of Captain’s Clubhouse was the next obvious step. As both felt that it was inevitable they would work together on something exciting at some point. “When we discussed this concept, our approach was let’s go for it, we knew it was a great idea, it just needed some action”
That confidence to adapt is how they’ve arrived here today, acknowledging that it may not be perfect but continuing to work towards something great.
The Ethos of Inclusivity: Uniting Through Sport
Additionally, they are fairly well-connected, and recording a few captains to kick-start things gave them the confidence they needed. They shared the concept with some trusted friends, got their heads together on what resources would help, and the rest is history. Great history and a start they are really proud of.
Pride also stems from the fact that the ethos of Captain’s Clubhouse—reflected in its partnerships and programs—is inclusive, encompassing gender, generational, and culturally diverse.
Ria explains, “We want to connect with, learn from, and share the voices of as many people as possible who reflect the richness of our community.” Inclusivity isn’t just a value; it’s a driver of trust and performance. When teams feel supported and safe, they thrive, she adds. “That’s why we’re passionate about hearing stories from captains and understanding what inclusive leadership really looks like.”
The Power of Unity
According to Vicki, sport has this incredible power to unite people—it’s a universal language. That’s one of its greatest strengths, and it’s something they want to harness through the Captains Clubhouse.
Vicki cites, “Sir Gareth Edwards shared a brilliant example with us.” He talked about learning from older players, those who had been there before him. He surrounded himself with their wisdom and soaked it in. That’s generational inclusivity in action.
Ria joins, “Exactly.” Captains can draw on the experience of older players and the energy of younger ones. However, to lead effectively, they also need to understand how different generations communicate and learn, whether it’s Millennials, Gen Z, or Gen X. Flexibility is crucial in ensuring that everyone feels heard and valued.
Vicki furthers, “And that’s where Captains Clubhouse comes in. We want to support captains to build culturally inclusive teams, where differences are respected, from religious practices to pronouns, and where psychological safety is prioritized.”
Both believe that it’s in those inclusive environments that real cohesion happens, and that’s where high-performing, connected teams are built.
Trailblazing Traits to Succeed
Moreover, they also feel that some distinct leadership traits have been instrumental to their success in a domain where women are still underrepresented. Vicki states that thriving in a constantly changing environment demands a whole range of traits and behaviors. “You need empathy and compassion, of course—but also the ability to set clear boundaries, especially around communication and performance.”
Ria adds, “But if there’s one trait we believe is absolutely instrumental. Its authenticity. Showing up consistently as yourself, that’s what builds real trust and lasting relationships.”
She continues, “We’ve seen that firsthand. Over the years, we’ve reconnected with people we met long ago—and because those relationships were built on authenticity, they’ve been willing to work with us, support us, and even partner with us.”
In a world that’s always evolving, being real and being consistent is what keeps doors open and connections strong, agrees both.
Shaping the Future: Innovation, Community, and Legacy
Innovation plays a crucial role in the evolution of sports engagement. As it drives everything they do at the Captains Clubhouse. “We’re not just building a platform. We’re shaping the future of sports leadership for all captains.” They’ve chosen a dynamic, community-driven platform powered by Circle because they wanted something that evolves with the people using it. “This isn’t just a static resource hub; it’s a living, breathing space that grows as the captains do. With features like real-time commenting, interactive video libraries, and on-demand content, users can dive into exactly what they need, when they need it. Whether they prefer to listen, watch, or read, the platform meets them where they are,” informs Ria.
Vicki adds that accessibility and inclusivity have been at the heart of every decision they’ve made. “We’ve built in multilingual content, culturally inclusive examples, and flexible access that works across time zones.” That means a school hockey captain in Wales has the same access, value, and sense of belonging as a rugby captain in New Zealand or a lacrosse captain in Kenya. No one should feel like leadership tools are out of reach because of where they live or the sport they play.
But Captains Clubhouse is about more than technology. It’s about community, real, human connection. It’s building something that stretches beyond the screen. “Through local meetups, our Coffee with Captains series, and larger-scale conferences, we’re creating opportunities for captains to come together, share experiences, and grow together—whether that’s in person or online,” shares Vicki.
Ultimately, both Vicki and Ria are not just creating a platform; they’re nurturing a global network of leaders who support, challenge, and drive each other forward. That’s what the Captains Clubhouse is all about.
At The Forefront of a Turning Point
From Ria’s perspective, the sports industry is at a turning point, not just evolving. It’s no longer just about performance, sponsorships, or stadiums. The biggest shifts are happening in the spaces you can’t always see. Athletes are political beings; they are challenging behaviors at the top, shining a spotlight on mindset, culture, inclusivity, mental well-being, and leadership. They are no longer relevant on the courts, pitches, and fields; they are relevant in all aspects of society. Sport is now a platform for social change, from climate action to allyship. Audiences want more than scores; they want meaning. Purpose-driven content, storytelling, and athlete platforms that elevate values, not just visibility.
Captains are the voices of their teammates; they are connecting with partners, stakeholders, board members, senior leaders, and sponsors. They need to be equipped with the skills to drive change on and off the court.
The Cultural Edge
And according to Vicki, culture is an edge—cultivating which reflects resilience, collaboration, and agility—particularly in such a fast-moving and high-expectation environment. It’s how captains turn up every day. Their presence, day to day, during the process and the outcome (win or lose), is crucial, as they must set the tone and maintain it. This is a huge pressure and lends itself nicely to sports that have leadership teams where the expectations can be shared.
Captains need to set shared goals with their team; this creates collaboration and keeps teammates accountable. Through setting boundaries, establishing clarity of roles, and having candid conversations, captains can cultivate a team culture that reflects resilience. “This creates a space of psychological safety, where decisions can be made without fear, creating empowered individuals and a culture of ‘we’ve got you, make the decision,” she insists.
Sharing Sporty Wisdom
In her advice to other women aspiring to build ventures in industries that have traditionally lacked female leadership, Ria says, “Do it, be brave! Don’t seek perfection, don’t wait for everything to be in its place. Take the first step, and the next step will follow.”
Vicki adds pragmatically, “Be prepared to pivot, change is inevitable, embrace it.”
“Find your tribe, surround yourself with trusted friends and mentors. Ignore the noise, there is a lot of it. There are doubters, stay in your lane and do not lose focus,” they say both in unison.
The ‘Aha’ Moments
Looking back on their journey so far, what they’re most proud of isn’t just one single milestone. It’s the collection of “aha” moments they’ve shared along the way. There have been so many points where they’ve paused and thought, “This is working. This is needed.” Whether it was the first time a captain told them how their content helped them navigate a difficult situation, or when a group of young leaders connected across borders because of something they created, those are the moments that make it all worthwhile.
They’ve taken an idea that started as a conversation between two people and turned it into something real, something others can feel part of. “We’re proud of how we’ve stayed true to our values, inclusivity, community, learning, while still being bold enough to adapt, pivot, and grow.”
But most of all, they’re proud of the fact that they’re doing this together. “We’ve built something that not only reflects who we are as individuals but also what we believe in collectively, and seeing others resonate with that has been the biggest breakthrough of all.”
For Ria, both success and legacy are about a community and supportive structure for captains globally, so they are fully equipped and appreciated.
To Vicki, it is “Global Domination and 12% of Captains Worldwide in the Clubhouse with us.”
As two women not only in the sporting industry but also in the leadership industry, they hope to inspire other women to enter these spaces with confidence, integrity, and professionalism.
Join the movement redefining sports leadership and community.
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