High School athletes at TAISM regularly take on leadership roles as volunteer coaches for Middle School sports. Grade 11 student Isla shared her experience coaching the Middle School volleyball team:

“I am Isla, and this season I had the opportunity to coach the middle school volleyball team! I love volleyball, and I’ve been playing since I myself was in middle school— I remember looking up to the high school varsity volleyball team and hoping I could improve so that I could play like them.

I aimed to be the kind of role model I once looked up to. I wanted to help them succeed and grow their passion for the sport. I hoped to help foster a team community where they would help build each other up after setbacks. I loved coaching the girls and watching the team learn and grow across the season as athletes and as people. It is definitely a different experience as a coach than a player— I found myself focusing not only on technical skills, but on mindset too.

Across the season, the athletes learned to support each other through challenges, to bounce back after tough losses, and to be respectful players and opponents. The moment they won their final game together as a team stands out to me because it was one of the moments that showed their hard work and dedication paid off and their skills and mindset led them to an exciting victory.

I’m so proud of the girls’ hard work this season— they will only get better in the coming years, and I can’t wait to see the players that they will become!”

TAISM’s Athletics Director highlighted the impact of these High School mentors: “Our High School athletes bring an energy and relatability that uniquely inspires our Middle School teams. When younger players see older students leading with confidence, character, and love for the game, it creates a powerful mentorship loop that strengthens our entire athletics community.”

Through ongoing mentorship, Isla and her fellow High School athletes help guide Middle School students across all sports, shaping a culture of growth, teamwork, and encouragement both on and off the court.