Coach Today, Lead for Life — Program Application

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 experiential leadership development program spanning two coaching seasons, 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. The program is designed to be completed over two coaching seasons: your application is for your first season, and most WCA coaches choose to return for a second. Completing both seasons is the pathway to becoming a WCA Certified Coach. This multi-season structure 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, with the opportunity to return for a second season

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