The Revere High School woman’s Varsity softball team acquired a new head coach within their program for the 2025 season.
Amy Gilmore, new Varsity coach, has secured her position with the RHS woman‘s softball team after several seasons of coaching Junior Varsity. Gilmore talked about her expectations for the team for this coming season.
“I expect a lot [from the team] and have high expectations for them. I am an intense coach [and] an intense person when it comes to softball. Softball is my love,” Gilmore said.
Gilmore’s passion for softball does not go unnoticed. She makes it known to the players that she is serious about practices and that players come to work hard and not mess around. Her determination for both the sport and the players, she hopes, will carry them far in the second half of the season.
Sydney Firca, a senior softball player, has played for Gilmore for both her freshman and senior year. Firca has been on the Varsity team for three years.
“I had coach Gilmore when I was a freshman, so there really was not a transition for me, but she is a great coach,” Firca said.
The Varsity and Junior Varsity programs were completely separate. This year, there are multiple practices where both teams practice and run drills together. Gilmore runs practice together to build team relationships and promote positive role models.
“We were two separate programs, rather than one, and that is something I wanted to incorporate this year,” Gilmore said
With the players combined, the motivation to work together grows. The leadership of the varsity team influences the other players to try their best and work hard.
Freshman Lauren Bir has been playing softball for five years as a shortstop. She talks about how the combination of teams helps with the drive to work harder.
“I think [Varsity] definitely makes [Junior Varsity] play more seriously, and it is fun to play the games with them. It is competitive, but it is really fun and helps us get better,” Bir said.
That competitive environment has not only pushed players to improve individually, but it has also created a stronger team overall. The players learn to communicate better, support each other and stay focused during games.
“We have won every game in the league [so far]. I think we will do well and go further in the playoffs and I hope we win districts this year since we were runners up last season,” Firca said.
The growth of their teamwork and relationship with each other and the coaches will help the team trust each other on and off the field.
The team took a spring break trip to Orlando, Florida, to play in out-of-state tournaments. While they were off the field, the girls visited Universal Studios. During the midst of their season, the team used the trip as a bonding experience.
“I bring [the team] options and let them choose [where to go] and then present it to the parents for pricing, I want them to have a say in it, too, especially the seniors because it is their senior trip. I like for them to be a part of [the process] a lot more,” Gilmore said.
The team participated in team bonding opportunities throughout the trip to grow relationships further.
The RHS Varsity softball team plays their next game at Barberton High School at 5:00 pm on April 23. The RHS Junior Varsity team plays their next game at Tallmadge High School at 5:00 pm on April 24.
