WE ARE BACK! After a well-deserved holiday break, the Playbook returns with fresh energy and plenty to celebrate. This week, we are spotlighting girls bowling—a sport that combines precision, mental toughness, and a whole lot of strategy. We are celebrating our SALC students who led a Winter Athlete Academy this week, bringing together athletes from both high schools for team building, leadership development, and meaningful connections. And we are diving into an important topic: the role of parents in athletics. How can we support our student-athletes in the best way possible? Let's talk about it. Welcome back—let's jump in!

Let's talk about bowling. For those who have never bowled competitively, it might seem straightforward: knock down pins, score points, repeat. But anyone who has stepped up to the lane in a high school match knows the truth—bowling is WAY more complicated than it looks.

Bowling is as much a mental sport as it is physical. You are not reacting to an opponent's defense or adjusting to game-time pressure from a clock. You are standing alone on the approach, ball in hand, with nothing but your thoughts and your technique. Every throw matters. Every pin counts. And when you mess up? There's nowhere to hide.

The mental toughness required to step up after a bad frame, shake it off, and execute the next shot is real. Bowlers learn how to manage frustration, stay focused, and maintain consistency even when things aren't going their way. That is a life skill!

Bowling is not just about throwing the ball hard and hoping for the best. It's about:

Elite bowlers are students of the game. They study lane conditions, adjust their positioning, and make calculated decisions with every throw. It is chess with a 15-pound ball!

In most sports, you can have an off play and recover. In bowling, every frame counts toward your final score. There is no clock to run out, no defense to bail you out. You either execute or you don't. The margin for error is slim, and the best bowlers are the ones who can deliver strike after strike with machine-like consistency.

Both Peninsula and Gig Harbor girls bowling teams are competing this season, representing their schools with focus, determination, and a whole lot of heart. These athletes practice regularly, refine their technique, and compete across the league—often with small rosters that demand flexibility, resilience, and leadership.

That success doesn’t happen by accident. Huge appreciation goes to the coaches guiding these programs:

Bowling might not always have the same spotlight as other sports, but the athletes and coaches involved bring just as much commitment, preparation, and pride. They show up, put in the work, and compete with purpose.

This week, something special happened. Our Student-Athlete Leadership Council (SALC) organized and led the first-ever Winter Athlete Academy—a chance for athletes from Peninsula and Gig Harbor High Schools to come together, connect, and grow as leaders. Here is what made it so great: it was completely student-led. SALC members stepped up, planned the event, facilitated activities, and created an environment where athletes from both schools could build relationships and learn from each other. That is leadership in action!

The time was packed with team-building activities designed to break down walls, build trust, and create connections across schools. Athletes from different sports, different grades, and different schools worked together, communicated, and learned what it means to be part of something bigger than their individual teams. One of the highlights? Selecting appropriate cheers. SALC led discussions and workshops on what makes a great student section—cheers that support your team, energize the crowd, and show respect for opponents and officials. The goal was not to tell athletes what they can't do—it was to empower them to create positive, hype atmospheres that make home games unforgettable for the right reasons.

Here is the reality: Peninsula and Gig Harbor compete against each other in every sport. There is rivalry, there is intensity, and there is pride on both sides. But at the end of the day, we are all part of the same district. We are neighbors. We are classmates. And when our athletes get to know each other as people—not just opponents—it makes the entire experience better.

The Winter Athlete Academy gave GHHS and PHS athletes a chance to meet, talk, laugh, and realize they have way more in common than they thought. Those connections matter. They build mutual respect, they strengthen our community, and they remind everyone that competition and camaraderie can coexist.

Our SALC students don't just talk about leadership, they live it. They organized this event on short notice, stepped up to facilitate activities, and created a meaningful experience for their peers. That takes initiative, confidence, and a genuine care for making athletics better for everyone. We are incredibly proud of our SALC members for taking ownership and leading this academy. You showed what student-athlete leadership looks like, and you made a real impact!

Being a sports parent is one of the most rewarding—and challenging—experiences you will ever have. You love your child, you want them to succeed, and watching them compete brings out emotions you didn't know you had. The good news? There are ways we can support our student-athletes that make their experience even better. Let's talk about what athletes need from us before, during, and after the game.

Before the season starts, it can be helpful to reflect on a few questions:

Here is an important step: Ask your son or daughter these same questions, and then listen to their answers.

While athletics can open doors, it is worth remembering that opportunities come in many forms. For every athletic scholarship awarded, there are far more academic scholarships available. The value of sports often goes far beyond college opportunities.

One of the most powerful things we can do as parents is let athletics be their experience:

If any of these resonate, it might be time to take a step back and let your athlete take more ownership of their experience.

Our athletes notice how we handle the highs and lows of competition. When we stay calm and positive—even when calls don't go our way or the game is not going well—we teach them how to handle adversity with grace.

Supporting the entire team creates a positive atmosphere and shows your child what being a good teammate looks like.

Coaches are trained to provide technical instruction and game strategy. As parents, our role is different—we are there to encourage and support, not to provide coaching from the stands. One instructional voice helps athletes stay focused and confident.

You are a spectator and a supporter. Your athlete already has a coach and teammates. What they need from you is unconditional support and someone who believes in them, no matter what happens on the court or field!

When we all work together to create positive, supportive environments at games, everyone benefits—our athletes, the opposing team, the officials, and the coaches. Sometimes it helps to think: "Is my behavior right now something I'd want my child to model?"

After a game, many athletes need time to decompress. They have just poured their heart into the competition, and they may need some quiet time to process how they feel about it.

For many student-athletes, the car ride home can feel like the longest part of the day if they are being asked to relive every play. Consider giving them some space.

Some athletes bounce back quickly. Others need hours or even days to process a tough loss or a big win. Both are normal, and both deserve respect.

One of the best things you can say after any game:

It is simple, it is supportive, and it reminds them that your love isn't tied to their performance.

If you observed behavior during the game that needs to be addressed—disrespect toward officials, poor sportsmanship, inappropriate language—it is appropriate to discuss that. Just remember to approach it as a parent addressing behavior, not as a coach critiquing performance.

Being a sports parent means showing up, cheering them on, and letting the experience be theirs. When we can do that, we give our children a gift that lasts far beyond their playing days! At PSD, we believe athletics should build confidence, resilience, and positive relationships — and parents play a vital role in that experience.

⚠️ Reminder: Schedules are subject to change. Stay connected with your coaches and team communications for the latest updates!