Rewriting the Playbook: Youth Development in Athletics at Southridge

In the latest episodes of Rewriting the Playbook, physical education teachers Wane and Taylor offer a transparent, inspiring look at what it truly takes to transform a middle school PE program into a launchpad for lifelong development.

From the gym floors of Southridge School, their conversations uncover real-world challenges—biased officiating in basketball, student dependency on technology, and the lingering consequences of early specialization—but also the relentless optimism that change is possible.

Rather than bending to competitive pressures or chasing quick wins, Wane and Taylor focus on the basics:

• Teaching fundamental skill development across multiple sports

• Embedding problem-solving and resilience into everyday instruction

• Creating a curriculum that fosters physical literacy and movement fluency for all students

The episodes shine a light on structural issues too—such as substitute teachers sharing stories of youth sports failures from previous decades, and a system that often prioritizes elite performance over inclusion.

What sets their approach apart is vision. Together, they dream of a sports magnet school: one rooted in development, not dominance—where PE isn't a break from learning, but a critical piece of education itself.

At its core, this podcast is about more than coaching. It’s about building a culture where movement becomes mindset, and every student has a path forward—on the court, in the classroom, and beyond.

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