The South Windsor softball team is a key part of the school’s spring sports lineup. With three levels of competition, the program welcomes a new leader this season—Emma Sands, who has stepped into the role of head coach for the varsity team.
Sands has experience both playing the sport and coaching it. She picked up a softball for the first time at the age of 8. She played throughout high school and had the opportunity to play for Eastern Connecticut State University. At college, she played in several NCAA games and made a 5th place finish at Division III.
On the coaching side, she has experience with both 14U and 16U travel teams.
Sands was drawn to coaching the South Windsor girls because of the talent and a younger team with opportunity to grow.
She hopes she can grow their communication and confidence through her coaching season.
Sands prioritizes team unity over individual performance in her coaching approach. “The team’s success is built on the idea that no one is greater than the whole,” Sands said. “We are united in our purpose, and each individual’s sacrifice and contribution are essential for our collective success, a selfless attitude, mutual respect, and a commitment to helping each other grow are foundational to what we do.”
Sands knows that a new coach will experience growing pains, and players may need some time to adjust.
“It may also take some time for the team to adjust to my coaching style, and vice versa,” Sands commented. “However, I am confident that after pre-season, we will be ready to conquer the season as a unified team.”
Sands believes that overcoming challenges together strengthens the team environment. While she emphasizes the importance of the team as a whole, she also wants each player to recognize their individual value.
“I love building an environment where every player feels valued but also challenged to push themselves to be better,” Sands said. She hopes to show the players her love for the sport and transfer it on to them.
The team’s season starts in a matter of weeks, with their first home game on April 7th at 3:45 home against Manchester, where they would love to see the community supporting them as they make this transition.
