Playing at your home field should always be an advantage.

 Student Coach Program

A Coaching Program for High School Students

for students in: Downey • El Monte • Whittier • Compton

apply now

Join 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.

we offer two pathways:

 

Student Coach Volunteer Pathway

A semester-long introduction to coaching, leadership, and community service.

Student Coach 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 receive a $200 stipend.

Applications due Friday, January 9th

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 <3

from hikes to supporting local pro teams, team outings are always a great time

Details:

    • Program Runs: Spring Semester, 2026

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

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

    SC Volunteer Pathway:

    All applicants who demonstrate interest in learning, leadership, and community impact will be accepted into the Student Coach Volunteer Program!

    SC Micro-Internship:

    We are accepting 45 students total for the Student Coach Micro-Internship: only 15 each from Downey, El Monte, and Whittier.

  • SC Volunteer Pathway:

    • HFA Student Coach Certificate

    • Verified community service hours

    • Mentorship from HFA team and assigned mentor coach

    • Opportunity to be a part of the HFA Community Cup, affiliated with the Los Angeles World Cup Legacy Program!

    • Invitations to Student Coach social events & community programming

    • Personalized letter of recommendation (per request)

    SC Micro-Internship (paid):

    All benefits above, plus:

    • Nationally recognized grassroots coaching licenses

    • Leadership opportunities, workshops, mentorship, and a Professional Development Training Day

    • A $200 paid micro-internship stipend

    • HFA x PUMA coaching shirt + gear

  • SC Volunteer Pathway:

    • Assist a mentor coach with practices at assigned school site(s)

    • Coach and/or set-up at HFA community events and game days

    • Attend monthly leadership meetings for check-ins, updates, and reflection

    • Log volunteer hours

    SC Micro-Internship:

    Micro-Interns are REQUIRED to meet the following expectations to successfully complete the micro-internship and receive the stipend:

    • Coach 2 Hours Per Week (Volunteer Commitment)
      Volunteer 2 hours per week at your assigned school site by supporting your Mentor Coach during practices. All absences must be requested and approved in advance.
      You’re welcome to coach additional days or hours to earn more service hours!

    • Participate in 2 Events
      All micro-interns must participate in 2 HFA events—one of which must be the Community Cup Final Tournament in June. The second event may be selected from other HFA community events or Game Days, where you’ll coach, lead, or support event setup.

    • Attend 1 Professional Development Training Day

      This is a required workshop to strengthen leadership & youth engagement skills.

    • Attend All Monthly Leadership Meetings
      All micro-interns must attend monthly group meetings (dates TBD), where you’ll complete a brief evaluation, receive leadership training, and participate in group check-ins.

  • Step 1: Application Review

    • Every application is reviewed with care, and you’ll hear back within 1–2 weeks of the deadline.

    Step 2: Info Session/ Group Interview

    • Volunteer Pathway:
      All volunteer applicants are automatically accepted and will be invited to an info session with onboarding details.

    • Micro-Internship (Paid):
      Applicants may be invited to a group interview/info session to meet staff, learn about the program, and share why they want to join the paid cohort.

    Step 3: Acceptance Announcement into Different Pathways

    • If you are selected for the Micro-Internship:
      You’ll join the paid cohort and begin micro-intern onboarding.

    • If you applied for the Micro-Internship but are not selected:

      You’ll still be automatically accepted into the SC Volunteer Pathway, which includes volunteer hours, mentorship, events, and more.

    • If you only applied for the Volunteer Pathway:
      You’ll be fully accepted into the SC Volunteer Pathway and receive access to all volunteer coaching opportunities.

    • No matter your pathway, every student coach becomes part of the HFA community!

    Step 4: Placement + Onboarding:

    • You’ll be placed at a school site based on location, availability, and sport interest, and receive your schedule, mentor coach, and materials.

    Step 5: Start Coaching!

    • Begin weekly practices, log hours, and join events throughout the school year.

    Step 6: Ongoing Support + Growth

    • Monthly check-ins, social events, workshops, and mentorship from HFA staff.

    • Micro-Interns receive additional leadership sessions and hands-on responsibilities.

apply now

The HFA Leadership Journey

Past participants in our student coaching program have moved on to amazing universities, become mentor coaches, staff leaders, and organizers in their communities, proving that the lessons learned through sports leadership last far beyond the playing field.

San Tia

Downey High School class of 2025; from Student Coach at HFA to Stanford Scholar. read more!

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

 Want HFA’s student coach program at your school or district?

contact us