Nearly 120 coaches from across the region, including all Kent School District (KSD) athletic coaches and local youth program leaders, gathered last week at Kent-Meridian High School for the 2025 All-City Coaches Conference — a day dedicated to building leadership, collaboration, and excellence in coaching.
This year’s theme, “Leading with Courage and Kindness,” highlights the deep connection between sports and personal development. Key focus areas of the conference include:
Building Life Skills Through Sport
Captains and Student Voice
Building Team Culture
Supporting Athlete Mental Health
Planning for Peak Performance
Legal Responsibilities in Coaching
These topics directly align with KSD’s OneKSD commitment to both academic achievement and athletic integrity. The conference reinforces the district’s ongoing efforts to foster well-rounded, character-driven student-athletes prepared for success both on and off the field.
Hosted at Kent-Meridian High School, the event was a powerful example of OneKSD in action — uniting coaches across schools and programs in a shared effort to support student growth, promote mental wellness, and strengthen team environments.
“I’m just excited to be here, man,” said former Seattle Seahawk Robert Turbin, one of the event’s special guests. “It’s another opportunity to connect with the community, meet some great people making an impact. That’s a big part of what coaching is — sharing perspectives as a player and a coach.”
Flory Stevens, a dance coach at Marion Matson Middle School, added,
“It’s really great to network with other coaches in other sports who are dealing with some of the same issues we face in dance.”
The All-City Coaches Conference is more than a professional development opportunity; it’s a strategic investment in the future of KSD athletics. By emphasizing reflective practice, mentorship, and collaboration, the event helps coaches enhance their instructional methods and better serve their student-athletes.
As the new school year begins, the insights and strategies shared at this event will ripple across fields, courts, and classrooms — shaping a stronger, more united, and more supportive athletic culture across the Kent School District. That’s the power of OneKSD.