Just cause the sun is always out there doesn't mean there isn't any shady
spots around.

You don't have to shoot at high noon, you can get together early morning or
late afternoon.   One side of the gym is bound to cast a shadow, instant
flat light.

If it has to be outside on the playing field then still an early or late
time will help, shoot with the sun on their backs, use a flash, your in
camera flash will probably not be strong enough.  Shield the lens from the
sun, you don't want flare in a zoom.

The main thing is, you don't want half lighted faces, you know where the sun
comes down and lights the nose and forehead but the eyes are shaded, nothing
worse than that ( and that's the same if its sunny out or cloudy, light
coming down will still make the nose glow and the eyes disappear)  If the
sun is low and coming from the side so there is light in the eyes and both
cheekbones then you would be OK, possibly even with the built in flash as a
fill light.

What's your flash sync speed?  Use a film speed that is close to that, and a
flash that will give you f/16 if you need to shoot out in the sun.  f/11 if
you use the flash for a fill

If you use the shade method you will only need f/4 as a fill for the f/5.6
typical open shade exposure.  You could use the built in flash, you
basically would only need to put a glint in their eyes.

But if you have a choice in the time of the shot, then get the team together
at sun rise or better yet, sun down, tell them to gather early enough so
that all can be in position about 20 minutes before sundown, you can keep
shooting right up to sundown, later with a tripod. and you won't need a
flash, this is great for a shot of the group here with the sign for the
campus or a prominent building there just off their shoulder.   Arrange them
around a fountain or other setting, they don't have to be standing there
like a football team.
Note, a tripod will help with sharpness and allow you to shoot later, allow
you to use the longer part of the zoom range easier.  besides you'll look
like you know what you are doing that way, and/or fiddling with it will buy
you a lot of time to think about where and how without them figuring out
that you are making this up as you go along, hey, it worked for me, still
does btw.

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