• Assist in coaching sessions at elementary & middle school sports practices in your community

• Help lead game days & our Community Cup that is affiliated with the Los Angeles World Cup Legacy Program!

• Get mentored by certified mentor coaches

• Attend coaching trainings from US Soccer, USA Basketball, and/or US Tennis Association (USTA)

• Attend leadership events and workshops in affiliation with local professional sports teams

• Official HFA Student Coach Certificate & Coaching License

• Verified community service hours

• Personalized letter of recommendation (by request)

• Ongoing mentorship & leadership development

• Exclusive invitations to professional sports events

• Coach Weekly at Assigned School Site
  Help lead practices at an assigned elementary or middle school
  (Flexible for student-athletes: will need to be communicated with HFA staff in advance)

• Monthly Meetings

  Regular attendance is required at monthly Student Coach Meetings. Meetings provide important updates, leadership training, and a space to connect with fellow coaches.

• Attend Student Coach Professional Training Day
  Required kickoff event: date to be announced

• Complete 1 Sport-Specific Coaching Certification
  Soccer, Basketball, or Tennis

• Participate in 3 Events (minimum)
  Choose from our schedule of HFA tournaments, game days, clinics, or fundraisers (schedule to be shared upon acceptance into the program)

• Attend 2 Social Events (1 per semester minimum)
  Includes mixers, celebrations, or team-building activities

• Join the End-of-Year Celebration
  A special event to honor your contributions and achievements (Counts as a social event)

• Track Your Progress & Complete Monthly Check-Ins
  Log service hours and complete short monthly evaluations

• *for Animo Compton Charter School only:*

  in addition to coaching once a week, participants must attend a Career Readiness Day on Wednesdays

• Students who complete the program can apply to become:

  • a Summer Camp Coach

  • Mentor Coach upon HS graduation

• Student Leadership Board Member (pilot coming soon)

• Applications Open: Thursday, July 17th, 2025

• Applications Due: Sunday, August 31st, 2025

• Program Runs: August 2025 – May 2026

• Location: Local schools in either Downey, El Monte, Whittier, or Compton

• Who Can Apply: High school students (Grades 9–12)

Once you submit your application, here’s what to expect:

1. Application Review

Our team reads every application carefully. We’re not just looking for sports experience — we’re looking for students who care about their community and are ready to grow as leaders.

You’ll receive an update on your application within 1–2 weeks of application deadline

2. Group Interview / Info Session

If selected to move forward, you’ll be invited to a group interview/info session. This is a chance to learn more about the program, meet staff and other applicants, and share why you're interested.

3. Placement + Onboarding

After interviews, accepted Student Coaches will be placed at an elementary or middle school site based on your location and availability. You'll get details about your school site, schedule, and mentor coach.

4. Training + Certification

Before coaching starts, you’ll complete a required training day (Date TBD) and a sport-specific certification. Don’t worry, we’ll walk you through it!

5. Start Coaching!

Once trained, you’ll begin attending weekly practices, logging hours, and participating in leadership events throughout the school year.

6. Ongoing Support + Growth

You’ll get monthly check-ins, attend social events, and have access to mentorship, service hours, and opportunities to take on more responsibility over time.