Does 'skipper' mean team captain in the southern hemisphere?

Question

I was watching this video on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOvCpaR4Ddc&feature=related (yes, I was watching a video of a rugby union fight, couldn't resist), and at one point the ref called out 'skipper' to each team (Australia and New Zealand), and the captains (I think) came over. Is that just in the Southern Hemisphere? Or am I totally off base?

Answer 1

Skipper Means Captain In Loads Of Sports Its Not Only Southern Hemisphere

Answer 2

I beleive skipper is just another term for a leader of men. It has become a common term and quite accepable the world over. It most definatly comes from the nautical world where Skipper is a less formal word for Captain.

Answer 3

yes

Answer 4

skipper does mean team captain all over the world in most team sports

Answer 5

Yes skipper is one of the terms used for team captains here in the southern hemisphere.  The term is derived from ship and boating captains who are known as the "skipper" the world around, not just in the southern hemisphere.

I'd say that we use it for sports teams because the word roles of the tongue easier than captain.  Aussies and Kiwi's are notorious for being as lazy with speech as we can :)

Answer 6

skipper means captain and it is used all around the world and other sports like football (soccer)