Make A Difference
Why Coach at WUSC?
Volunteering as a coach at WUSC is one of the most meaningful ways to support your child’s soccer experience and give back to our community.
Each Fall and Spring, we rely on hundreds of parent volunteers to serve as head and assistant coaches for our In-Town Program (Pre-K to Grade 3) and BAYS (Travel) Program (Grades 4-12).
No soccer experience is required. A pre-season coaches meeting provides all necessary information for the upcoming season. Coaches also have access to weekly practice plans and activities, along with ongoing support from WUSC’s Program Directors, Age Group Coordinators, and professional coaching staff.
WUSC also supports coach development by offering reimbursement for approved U.S. Soccer coaching courses and licenses, helping volunteers build confidence and deepen their understanding of the game.
Coaching By The Numbers
Get Started
How To Volunteer To Coach
To volunteer as a coach, log in to the WUSC Admin Portal using the same account you use to register your child. Next to your child’s registration, click “Volunteer,” select Head Coach or Assistant Coach, and complete all required form questions.
If you’ve already registered your child, you may return to the portal at any time to add yourself as a volunteer.
Additional step for BAYS (Travel) coaches:
In addition to registering as a volunteer coach, all interested BAYS (Travel) coaches must complete a brief coaching application each season.
Pre-K to Grade 3
In-Town Coach
In-Town coaches lead fun, age-appropriate sessions that introduce basic skills and small-sided games to our youngest players (Pre-K to Grade 3).
Time commitment:
- Pre-K - Kindergarten: 45-minute combined practice/game per weekend
- Grades 1-2: 60-minute combined practice/game per weekend
- Grade 3: One midweek practice (60 minutes) and one weekend game (60 minutes)
Grades 4-12
BAYS (Travel) Coach
BAYS (Travel) coaches support older players (Grades 4-12) in a more competitive environment with one to two weekly practices and league games against other towns on Saturdays.
Additional requirement:
- BAYS (Travel) Coach Application (required each season)
Time commitment:
- Grades 4-12: One to two weekly practices (60 minutes each) and one weekend game (60 minutes)
What To Expect
Coaching Requirements and Responsibilities
Here's what coaches can expect during a typical season:
Before the season:
- Complete all mandatory MA Safe Soccer coaching requirements, including:
- Annual Mass Youth Soccer Adult Registration
- Required background checks
- Two safety training courses
- Attend WUSC's Pre-Season Coaches Meeting
During the season:
- Support player development, teamwork, and sportsmanship
- Schedule practices and reserve practice fields (Grades 3-8)
- Follow game cancellation/rescheduling procedures (Grades 4-8)
- Communicate with families through the TeamSnap app
After the season:
- Submit player evaluations (Grades 1-8)
- Attend Player Review Meetings (Grades 3-7)
Planning Practices
Practice Resources
Practice Plans
Access age-specific practice plans and activities.
Field Locations
Learn about Wellesley soccer fields, parking, and amenities.
Field Reservations
Reserve a practice field using the online scheduling tool.
Keep Learning
Coaching Education and Licenses
WUSC wants every coach to feel confident on the field. We reimburse coaches for successfully completing sanctioned U.S. Soccer coaching courses and licenses. Course completion is also one of the many factors we consider when selecting volunteer coaches for BAYS (Travel) teams (Grades 4-12).
Recommended courses:
- Introduction to Grassroots Coaching (free online module)
- Grassroots online courses (4v4, 7v7, 9v9, 11v11)
- Grassroots in-person courses (4v4, 7v7, 9v9, 11v11)
- U.S. Soccer D License
To request reimbursement, please email your course certificate and registration receipt to Chris Howard.
Need Help?
Coaching FAQ
Affiliations
