Last weekend, I had the pleasure of leading a softball clinic for the Millbrae Girls Softball Association. About 50 players, ages 4–10, joined us to prepare for the upcoming season. Together, we worked on throwing and fielding fundamentals, shared lots of encouragement, and exchanged plenty of high fives along the way.

While every player showed up ready to learn and work hard, the highlight for me was the group of older Millbrae players who volunteered to help coach. They did an outstanding job demonstrating drills, stepping into leadership roles, and inspiring the younger athletes. Watching them in action was a reminder of just how important it is to encourage young women to coach.

For me, empowering young women to coach and lead is a twofold cycle. First, representation matters. Having a coach who looks like you and understands your experience is incredibly powerful. It helps young athletes feel seen, validated, and like they truly belong on their team, in sports, and in the world. When girls see women and older peers coaching and leading, they can begin to imagine themselves in those roles one day too.

Second, coaching builds leadership skills that extend beyond the field. When young women coach, they practice communication, collaboration, and managing groups, skills they will use in every area of their lives. The more opportunities they have to practice leading, the more confidence they gain, and that confidence opens the door to seeking out bigger and bolder leadership roles. And that, in turn, strengthens representation even more.

Sometimes girls don’t yet see themselves as leaders. One of my roles as a coach is to help them recognize their potential before they can fully see it themselves. By simply inviting older players to volunteer at this clinic, they gained valuable firsthand experience as coaches and leaders. When girls are given the chance to lead and say yes, amazing things happen. Communities come together to play, learn, and grow. If that isn’t empowerment, I don’t know what is.

Thank you to MGSA for welcoming me into your community. And a special thank you to the 12U and 14U players who shared their love of softball with the next generation. I left the clinic feeling inspired, energized, and excited for the season ahead.