Bay Area Womens Sports Initiative

BAWSI GirlsAn after-school program that connects second through fifth grade girls living in underserved neighborhoods with coaches who have direct experience playing womens sports at the collegiate level. The goal of the program is to change the young girls' beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors about physical activity while building important developmental assets. Rather than focusing on building skills in specific sports, the BAWSI Girls curriculum is designed to foster a love of physical play through fitness and team-based games that all girls can participate in. Each girl is given a personal pedometer to help her set and track her progress on activity goals each week. In addition to the movement-based components of the curriculum, the athlete-coaches engage BAWSI girls in animated "locker-room" conversations on important personal traits like integrity, determination and courage. Every BAWSI girl is also invited to attend at least one BAWSI Game Day. These special events bring BAWSI girls to a college campus to watch female athletes compete in a sporting event. In addition to providing an opportunity for the girls to bond with athletes who sit alongside them in the stands, these events are often the girls' first exposure to a college environment.Total Enrollment - 1,197

BAWSI Leadership Accelerator, Middle School PrototypeIn launching our strategic plan, BAWSI has begun to deepen our impact with the elementary school girls we serve by staying with them through the challenging middle school and high school years. Through the Leadership Accelerator, BAWSI provides opportunities to build self-confidence and healthy habits through sport and physical activity, while also providing them with a strong support system which includes role models from their community.- 6 PE Takeovers taking place all day before each sports clinics- 20 BAWSI Lunches throughout the School year- 25 Afterschool skills clinics after the PE Takeovers before each school sport began- 6 Team Leadership sessions throughout each school sport season (18 total)

BAWSI RollersA program that provides children with physical and cognitive disabilities the opportunity to get active on the playground while also building self-confidence and exploring topics such as goal setting and team work. The program engages elementary school students with physical and cognitive disabilities in a curriculum that includes adapted basketball, tag, volleyball, hockey, kickball, bowling and other sports and games that develop hand-eye coordination, strength and teamwork. BAWSI Rollers also practice goal setting, teamwork and healthy competition each week so that they develop both physical and mental skills. BAWSI Rollers is led by athletes who serve as coaches and positive role models.Total Enrollment - 300