#31 - When Sitting on the Bench Is Still Playing for the Team

In this episode, Sara and Michelle unpack a provincial silver medal weekend that became a powerful lesson in team culture, resilience, and competitive maturity. Sara reflects on a group of athletes who had the team “rolling” together—competing hard, recovering quickly from mistakes, encouraging each other, and staying composed under pressure. The heart of the episode is a bench player’s reminder to her coach: “We want to win, and if us sitting on the bench is how that happens, don’t feel bad.” For parents, this is a valuable reframe around playing time, showing how athletes can understand roles, buy into a team plan, and still contribute through energy, readiness, and support. 
Top 3 Takeaways

1. Three steps of reflection for provincials
   1. Who do I choose to be out there?
   2. What does my best look like today?
   3. How do I bounce back?
2. Players want to win - even if it means sitting on the bench (in high stakes games)
3. Execution (physical) vs mental errors