Back to school means back to BAWSI! Learn about:

• BAWSI back on the playgrounds
• BAWSI middle school program launch
• Save the date for BAWSI's Gala (5/6/2022)
• And lots more!

We are back on the playgrounds (safely!) with our BAWSI Girls and BAWSI Rollers. Enthusiasm is running high as our participants are excited to be moving and playing with their friends and coaches.

BAWSI Girls: 8 in-person sites with more than 400 girls are in full swing.

BAWSI Rollers: 8 sites (5 in-person, 3 virtual) with more than 110 participants are going strong.

This fall, we are piloting the first phase of BAWSI's Leadership Accelerator with a middle school program for girls at Renaissance Academy on the Fischer Campus.

Basketball is the school's fall sport, so we began our middle school curriculum by holding "PE Takeover" days where we taught fundamental basketball skills and encouraged ALL girls to try out for the basketball team. We also held clinics where girls continued to learn the rules of basketball and gain confidence in the sport and themselves.

In this short time, we've already doubled basketball participation on the campus and helped create two teams! Next up: preparing our curriculum for the remaining two sports at the middle school, volleyball and soccer.

As BAWSI expands into middle school, initially in East San Jose, we are listening and learning.

With this in mind, we conducted a youth participatory evaluation (YPE) study, led by student researchers from Overfelt High School in East San Jose. The project included surveying girls, parents, and sports coordinators to understand barriers girls face when trying to participate in sports.

The YPE youth researchers will present their findings and recommendations to key stakeholders by January - stay tuned for the date and location. We look forward to working collectively with community resources and stakeholders to address these barriers so ALL girls can play.

Mark your calendars! This year's BAWSI Gala is on May 6, 2022.

Plans are coming together for an in-person and safe event in the Bay Area. BAWSI's night of fun and inspiration will be one you won't want to miss!

We're actively engaging event sponsors and gathering exciting auction items. If you're ready to join us as a sponsor or donor, please reach out to sherri@bawsi.org.

The San Francisco Giants recently highlighted BAWSI and the work that we do to lift up girls in sports at their annual Girls Day.

Thank you to all who joined us, and thank you to the Giants for their continued support.



In September, the Bertani Family hosted their annual Bertani Backyard Benefit Concert, whose mission is to "sing.dance.give.repeat".

This year's concert featured a line-up of talented artists from across the country. It was a great honor and a whole lot of fun to be the BBC beneficiary this year. A giant thank you to the Bertani Family and all the concert goers!