Falling for BAWSI

Our Fall Programs are in full swing and bursting with engaging games, inspiring leadership sessions, and empowering events. Catch all the latest updates and stories below!

BAWSI Season of Strength and Play

In our 22nd year, BAWSI is at 22 schools, where BAWSI athletes from elementary through high school are showing up ready to play and BAWSI Athlete Leader Coaches are bringing the joy, energy, and encouragement that light up every session.

From the first warm-up to the final cheer, every playground is a place where athletes build confidence, lift each other up, and know they belong. And this fall, BAWSI welcomed its 30,000th participant, one more young person discovering what it means to be BAWSI.

Here’s to new faces, familiar joy, and a season where every BAWSI athlete can play, lead, and succeed!

BAWSI Girls Builds Friendship and Connection

Principal Jackie Montejano shares BAWSI's impact at Lyndale Elementary School.

“One of the most meaningful outcomes was the sense of connection BAWSI fosters among our girls. With students participating across grade levels and classrooms, the program helped bridge social divides and encouraged friendships that may not otherwise have formed. I saw girls become more inclusive, supportive of one another, and connected to a larger community of peers.”

BAWSI Middle School Athletes Ready to Play and Lead

BAWSI PE Days introduce middle school athletes to new sports and help them build strong skills along the way. From basketball and tennis to rugby and flag football, athletes try something new, learn the fundamentals, and discover what they love to play.

One of the highlights was a special guest at Ocala Steam Academy: Kisha Harris, professional football player with the Golden State Storm, who led our flag football PE Day, sharing the fundamentals of the game. Athletes then put it all into action on the field and left with a stronger understanding of the game.

Whether they are running a play, learning a new serve, or trying rugby for the first time, BAWSI athletes are building confidence and skills that carry well beyond PE Day.

BAWSI High School: Reaching More Royals

This fall, BAWSI deepened its presence at Overfelt High School, adding new programming and welcoming more students into the club. BAWSI introduced 9th grade PE BAWSI Days, helping students bridge the transition from middle school to high school sports. The BAWSI Overfelt Club enrolled a record 43 students, and leadership sessions are going strong with Overfelt Flag Football and Volleyball.

BAWSI Overfelt High School participants explored healthcare careers at Sutter Health through hands-on rotations with guidance from mentors across the field, including BAWSI alumni working in healthcare. We are grateful to the Sutter Health team for helping BAWSI participants see what’s possible.

Go Royals!

BAWSI Rollers: "Tennis is hard....I love tennis!"

At BAWSI Rollers, every session starts with what participants can do.

BAWSI Rollers brings magic to eight playgrounds, including Oster Elementary School’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing program. BAWSI coaches are learning to sign, so every participant feels seen and understood, and knows they belong.

At the start of one tennis session, a BAWSI Rollers participant shared, “Tennis is hard.” By the end, after trying, practicing, and celebrating each swing with coaches and teammates, the same participant exclaimed, “I love tennis!”

That shift, from “this is hard” to “I love this,” is what BAWSI Rollers is all about: building confidence, persistence, and joy through play.

Meet BAWSI's Coaching Team

BAWSI is thrilled to introduce our 2026-2027 Athlete Leadership Team! As BAWSI continues to grow, so does our team! Our dedicated Elementary, Middle, and High School Coaches bring energy, passion, and purpose to every playground. As the heart of our programs, they lead by example- motivating, every BAWSI athlete to discover their strength, confidence, voice, and joy through play.

Learn more about our team at https://www.bawsi.org/team.

Beyond the Playgrounds

BAWSI Receives Bay Area Host Committee

Community Impact Award

This award belongs to every child and young person who has stepped onto a BAWSI playground and discovered that they belong, and to the coaches, volunteers, school partners, and supporters who make that possible.

Thank you to the Bay Area Host Committee for spotlighting the power of sport in the community, and to Prologis and PNC for supporting these awards and so many local organizations.

If They Can See Her, They Can Be Her!

The Bay Area is now home to six professional women’s sports teams, and BAWSI is cheering for every one of them. We are grateful to all the teams making an impact on fields, courts, and ice, and in the community.

This fall, BAWSI tipped off its partnership with the Golden State Valkyries through She Plays On, an initiative of Kaiser Permanente, the Golden State Valkyries, and the Golden State Community Foundation. BAWSI joined She Plays On and fellow nonprofit partners for field days and a coaching summit, and this spring, BAWSI will introduce programs to middle schools in San Francisco and Oakland.

At the Valkyries flag raising at San José City Hall, BAWSI Community Engagement Program Manager Sami Oliver-Alexander shared: “When she cheers on the Valkyries, she doesn’t have to imagine what’s possible. She can see it.”

Bay FC's Hannah Bebar Nominated for NWSL's Lauren Holiday Impact Award presented by Nationwide

Hannah Bebar was nominated for the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Lauren Holiday Impact Award for her meaningful work in the community with BAWSI. The award recognizes one player from each NWSL team for the work they are doing off the field in their community.

Hubbard Media Arts Academy BAWSI Girls had the chance to play alongside Hannah Bebar and the entire Bay FC team on their playground. One BAWSI mom watching on the sidelines described the day as "giving her chills."

A week later, some of those same girls and their families were in the stands cheering as the women who had been on their playground took the field in the NWSL.

Thank you Hannah, for your incredible impact on the field and in our community.

Where are they now?

BAWSI's Three Newest Team Members

BAWSI's path to the front office often starts on the playgrounds. All 10 of our current full-time team members first volunteered or coached with BAWSI before joining our staff. Meet Annette, Lindsey, and Tegan.

Annette played NCAA Division I soccer at Cal Poly SLO before coaching at BAWSI.

After her athlete leadership year, she worked at PowerPlay NYC, a nonprofit with a mission similar to BAWSI’s, using sport to empower girls.

Today, Annette brings that experience to BAWSI as our Impact and Evaluation Program Manager, helping measure the difference our programs make.

Lindsey's basketball career took her from NCAA Division I at Santa Clara University to competing at the professional level before coaching at BAWSI.

While coaching at BAWSI, she worked in Division I college athletics at the conference level, then moved into the Director of Basketball Operations at Loyola Marymount University for two years.

She is now back at BAWSI as our Business Analyst Program Manager, supporting BAWSI operations.

Tegan played NCAA Division I soccer at Stanford University and went on to play professionally for seven years.

When an injury ended her playing career, Tegan's story continued as a coach at BAWSI while she rehabbed her knee. She then moved straight into staff without stepping away.

Now, Tegan shares BAWSI's story as our Marketing and Communications Program Manager.

Volunteer Spotlight

BAWSI is grateful for the volunteers who show up on playgrounds every week, sharing their time, energy, and encouragement with BAWSI athletes.

This fall, Coach Kalane is going back to school with BAWSI. After a career as a teacher and principal in San José, she is now volunteering at Blackford and Rosemary Elementary Schools, bringing her love of learning to the playground and helping BAWSI athletes play, lead, and succeed.

Oh, and did we mention? She is also the proud grandma of BAWSI team member Tegan, featured above, and BAWSI Coach Alum Kaylie Martin!

Ready to go back to school? Email volunteer@bawsi.org to join BAWSI in bringing the joy of play and leadership to girls from under-resourced neighborhoods and children with disabilities.

Save the Dates

BAWSI Alumni Virtual Webinar Event

Are you a former BAWSI Girl, Coach, or Staff? Join us!

Connect with fellow BAWSI alumni and build confidence and presence as a speaker with Matt Abrahams, Stanford lecturer, author, and communication podcast host.

BAWSI Alumni Virtual Webinar Event Thursday, November 5th, 6:00pm - 7:00pm via Zoom.

Email annette@bawsi.org for more information.

BAWSI Community Play Day

Join us for BAWSI's Inaugural Community Play Day! The event is free, and everyone is welcome! BAWSI Coaches will lead inclusive games and leadership activities. Experience the BAWSI playground magic!

November 7th, 2026

Interested in sponsorship?

Email events@bawsi.org