The show alluded to the fact that Buckball has grown into a national sensation. I like to think it's grown into something on the level of American football, which is the obvious analogy in the show. I think there is a lot of financial investment in the sport, and as such, even high school/college level Buckball teams are highly sophisticated. As Twilight's School is not really all that sport-oriented, their school does not receive as much funding as others, which means Halien has to pull his weight a bit as Buckball captain.
Flash -chaotic neutral; extrovert -Captain of the Thunderwings at the Cloudsdale Flight School -a jock with a lot of bulk and attitude to spare; he knows he's the top dog in the business -slated to be the next greatest Wonderbolt in his father Wind Rider's hoofsteps -thinks Rainbow Dash is a hack that earned Spitfire's favor -rival Buckball champion to the School of Freindship; elite member of Canterlot Flight School -a good Buckball captain that strategizes well -son of Wind Rider and much, much younger Diamond Rose. -largely unknown in personality beyond his Buckball status -kind of terrifying -likes to paint surreal paintings in his free time, but has little respect for artists and frou-frou stuff like that
Halien -lawful neutral; extrovert -Captain of the Windigos at the School of Friendship -a good ol boy trying to make it big -a jock with a heart of gold and faith in his underdog team -hybrid son of Gilda and Dumbell; has a younger sister Cherry Bomb who is practically his opposite -loves deeply, almost carelessly -easily caught up in the sport -very competitive, sometimes distracted -loves peanut butter sandwiches to an unhealthy degree -buff af, definitely the hot darling of Twilight's School of Friendship -devotes himself entirely to the sport and helping his team -hates Larkspur with a passion -when he gets flustered, his feathers fluff up real good