Coach Sarah, A Leader in My Life by Camryn

Coach Sarah, A Leader in My Life by Camryn - January 2025 Scholarship Essay

One person in my life that has been a great role model and leader for me is my high school field hockey coach Sarah Bellavance. She was also the first person to introduce me to the Bay State Games and coached team central when I was a freshman. I have been a part of Coach Bellavance’s varsity program for four years now, and since I first started playing for her she has been a perfect example of leadership for me. Her career as Coach of the Sutton Field Hockey Program has been incredibly successful and after getting to know her it is clear that her leadership skills have played a huge part in directing so many successful teams and our program’s overall growth over the last decade.

One thing that I appreciate in a Coach is someone who has a perfect blend of tough-love. Coach Bellavance takes her time with us very seriously, with the sole goal of helping our team to improve. She is demanding, but at the same time her constant support of each of her player’s is what really sets her apart. She has each of our best interests at heart and is able to use her knowledge and experience to push each of us to our full potential.

This past year our field hockey team made history by making it to our program’s first ever MIAA Final Four, and then repeated a state semi final appearance again in 2024. Of course the play of the team speaks for itself, but I feel very confident in saying that without the direction, leadership, and belief of Coach Bellavance we would not have seen that same level of success. A good leader is someone who is selfless, composed, confident, and someone who devotes all of their energy to whatever the task at hand may be. When I think of Coach Bellavance each and every one of those things ring true.

In my personal leadership experience I have taken many pages out of her book. During my sophomore year when she chose to make me a captain I was honored but at the time didn’t have much knowledge as to how to lead effectively. But now three years later entering my third season as team captain I can say that is far in the past. Coming to practice and observing Coach Bellavance everyday has taught me an incredible amount about what a good leader should look like. Now that I am in my final year with this team, I feel so confident about what we are capable of. Due to our experience, our skill, our comradery, but most importantly the leader we have as the face of our team.