Student Coach Program
A Coaching Program for High School Students
A community of young leaders learning to coach and inspire through sports. The HFA Student Coach Program gives high school students real coaching experience, leadership training, and a chance to make a difference in their own neighborhoods.
Pathways
Volunteer Pathway
A semester-long introduction to coaching, leadership, and community service.
Micro-Internship
A semester-long structured micro-internship where students earn coaching certifications, gain deeper leadership experience, and help lead HFA programming across the region. Upon completion, micro-interns also receive a stipend.
The Student Coach Experience
Coach a Local Youth team
Connect with your community by coaching afterschool programming at local elementary or middle schools, clinics, and game days!
Coaching Education
From organizations like US Soccer, USA Basketball, or US Tennis Association (USTA)
Professional Development
Internal HFA professional development training, giving you the skills to work in the professional world, whether that be in sport, education, entertainment, and beyond
Guidance Under A Mentor Coach
mentor coaches are experienced and licensed professionals who are selected to guide your coaching experiences
Work with Professional Sports Teams
when you’re a part of HFA, you gain exposure to the professional sport world and the work opportunities both within it and in related industries
Team Outings
from hikes to supporting local pro teams, team outings are always a great time
Applications for the 2026–2027 school year will be available at the end of summer.
The HFA Leadership Journey
Past participants in our student coaching program have gone on to attend universities, become mentor coaches, serve as staff leaders, and take on organizing roles in their communities, demonstrating that the lessons learned through sports leadership extend beyond the playing field. Read about their journeys and where their experiences have taken them.
San Tia
Downey High School class of 2025; from Student Coach at HFA to Stanford Scholar.
Giovanni Leguizamon
From Student Coach to Program Leader: Giovanni Leguizamon’s HFA Journey. read more!
Testimonials
“A professional skill I learned was time management… and my experience in basketball has contributed to my future career goals by giving me access to a job-like experience.”
-Coach Samiya
“Some skills that I have gained through my role as a student coach are definitely leadership skills. I am still developing them, but I feel like going every Tuesday to soccer and helping the coach makes me develop them even more.”
-Coach Sabrina
I believe I’ve had a positive impact on the younger participants by creating a comfortable environment where they can feel at ease and relaxed around the people they are with. I made a positive difference with someone in the program when Melanie told me she starts to feel more confident in herself when I give her words of encouragement.”
-Coach Paola
“I have noticed I started becoming more energetic in classes lately, and I have been engaging in speaking more when the teacher asks questions because I felt more confident in talking with students and coaches.”
-Coach William