Pole keeps company with team representative (6)
I believe the answer is:
mascot
'team representative' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
'pole keeps company' is the wordplay.
'pole' becomes 'mast' (mast is a kind of pole).
'keeps' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters are kept inside).
'company' becomes 'co' (abbreviation).
'mast' going around 'co' is 'MASCOT'.
'with' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for mascot that I've seen before include ".Person or thing believed to bring good luck" , "Luck-bringer" , "Good-luck charm" , "Something bringing luck" , "Character or object used to bring good luck, or represent an organisation" .)