<![CDATA[Background: Coaches’ transformational leadership plays an important role in shaping a positive psychological environment and enhancing athletes’ motivation in team sports. However, empirical studies examining this relationship among university team sport athletes remain limited, particularly in non-professional sports settings. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the influence of coaches’ transformational leadership on the motivation of university team sport athletes. Method: This study employed a quantitative correlational design with an ex post facto approach. The participants comprised 32 student-athletes from the Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia Hockey Club, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using the Differentiated Transformational Leadership Inventory (DTLI) and the Sport Motivation Scale II (SMS-II). Result: The findings revealed that coaches’ transformational leadership significantly influenced athletes' motivation (p < 0.05). The coefficient of determination (R²=0.488) indicated that transformational leadership explained 48.8% of the variance in athlete motivation. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that transformational leadership positively influences the motivation of university team-sport athletes. Coaches who provide inspiration, individualized support, and a clear vision may help strengthen athletes’ motivation and commitment within the team environment. These findings highlight the importance of applying transformational leadership approaches in university sports programs to support athlete development and performance. ]]>
