Northern California Leadership & Coaching Program - Returning Coach

**About This Program**

The Women's Coaching Alliance is on a mission to develop female leaders through coaching youth sports. The **Coach Today, Lead for Life program is a paid leadership development experience** in which participants coach young athletes in their community while building the confidence, communication skills, and character that translate directly to college, careers, and life.

This is a real commitment — and that's what makes it real leadership. This program requires sustained engagement throughout. During coaching seasons, participants are expected to attend scheduled practices, games, and mentor check-ins. Between seasons, the time commitment is lighter, but active engagement continues. Participants are expected to attend scheduled sessions and events, respond to communication in a timely way, and stay engaged across all phases of the program.

**Who You Are**

You might be exactly who we're looking for. This program is for you if you:

• Want to be a leader and positive role model for younger athletes
• Identify as female
• Are at least 15 years old (or a rising sophomore)
• Have played the sport you want to coach at the middle school level or higher

**No prior coaching experience required — just a genuine desire to lead and give back.**

**What You'll Do**

The Coach Today, Lead for Life program combines hands-on leadership development with the opportunity to coach a team in your community. Here's what that looks like:

_**Leadership Program**_

• Complete an Everything DiSC© assessment to better understand your leadership style and how you work with others
• Attend a Leadership Academy training before your season begins
• Engage with professional development content delivered throughout the program to keep you growing
• Meet weekly with a dedicated adult mentor for guidance and reflection throughout your season
• Connect and grow alongside a peer cohort of fellow WCA coaches going through the program with you

_**Coaching Placement**_

• Coach young athletes alongside a peer co-coach, keeping sport fun while helping kids build real skills
• Prepare, organize, and adapt practices and game plans for athletes of different skill levels
• Communicate with kids, parents, co-coaches, and program staff throughout the season
• Coach 1–2 practices per week plus games — typically weekday practices and weekend games
• Commit to a full coaching season, which is usually 8–10 weeks depending on your league

**What’s Required**

Here's what you'll need to participate in the program:

• Be reliable, consistent, and fully present — your players need you at every practice and game
• Have a schedule that allows you to show up consistently — significant conflicts with school, work, sports, or other commitments during the coaching season may affect your eligibility
• Have reliable transportation to and from all practices and games
• Attend the Leadership Academy training before your season begins
• Be at least 15 years old or a rising sophomore
• Have played the sport you want to coach at the middle school level or higher
• Submit a work permit if you are under 18
• Submit a Parental Consent Form if you are under 18
• Complete a background check if you are 18 or older
• Pay a $200 Program Commitment Fee upon acceptance. Scholarships are available so that cost is never a barrier to participating — if you're able to pay, doing so helps us support those who need it most

**What You'll Receive**

The Coach Today, Lead for Life program offers more than a coaching placement — it's a structured leadership experience with real support along the way:

• An Everything DiSC© assessment and leadership curriculum to help you grow and know yourself better
• Leadership Academy training and sample practice plans to set you up for success
• A dedicated adult mentor with weekly check-ins throughout your season
• A peer cohort of fellow WCA coaches growing alongside you
• Professional development content delivered throughout the program
• A paid coaching position with hourly pay at minimum wage. Prefer volunteer hours instead? Coaches who opt out of pay can receive documented volunteer hours for their coaching time
• A co-coach to partner with throughout the season