Coaching at the YMCA
Volunteering to coach a YMCA youth sports team is very rewarding and only takes a few hours a week for about six to eight weeks. And of course, we'll pair you up with your child.
Without volunteer coaches, our youth sports teams and leagues would cease to exist. It's one of the most important and needed volunteer opportunities within our association.
Our Coaching Philosophy
At YMCA Youth Sports, coaches encourage players to learn the sport, and sportsmanship and develop skills.
We provide coaching tools like MOJO Sports, clear expectations and support from YMCA staff and tangible items like balls, cones and playing space. You are not alone when you coach with YMCA Youth Sports.
Our youth sports app provider, MOJO Sports, allows coaches to set up practices with proven, age-appropriate drills. It also makes communication with parents easy through texting and email and lets all families view schedules, practice times, and field locations. MOJO Sports is free for all YMCA coaches and families.
Volunteer Coaches
We need volunteer coaches for all ages and sports to play as many kids as possible. Each sports season is approximately six weeks long. Parents are welcome to coach their kids.
Each volunteer coach must pass a background check and complete our Volunteer Matters training. It should take about 20 minutes to complete the online training and submit the background check.
Everyone Plays
We do not use tryouts or cut kids in YMCA recreational Youth Sports. Everyone who registers is assigned to a team and plays at least half of each game.
Safety First
We coach sport-specific skills that are developmentally and age-appropriate. Gameplay may be modified (shorter fields for younger players, for example) and we ensure safety at every play.
Fair Play
Fair play is not only about playing by the rules, but showing respect and good sportsmanship to coaches and players alike.
Positive Competition
Positive competition is the YMCA principle that the best interests of the players and the team come before winning the game. In most younger leagues, we don't even keep score.
Family Involvement
We encourage families to support their teams, coaches and opponents. Families stay and watch both games and practices and are available if a coach needs assistance with a player.
Sport for All. Sport for Fun.
Everyone is welcome to play at the YMCA. We are an inclusive organization and do not exclude based on race, gender, nationality, religious creed or ability. Sports are naturally fun for most kids. If we take the fun out of sports for our children, we are in danger of the children taking themselves out of sports.
Questions About Coaching?
Please reach out to your YMCA's Sports Director.
Alexander Family YMCA: Eric Rhinehalt
A.E. Finley YMCA: Jared Hardin
Chapel Hill - Carrboro YMCA: Jonathan Washburn
Durham YMCAs: Lexx Daniels
East Triangle and Poole Family YMCAs: Ryan Killen
Kerr Family YMCA: Leah Thompson
Kraft Family YMCA: Kelly Guerriero
Northwest Cary and Taylor Family YMCAs: Chris Avery
Poole Family YMCA: Noah Crone
Southeast Raleigh YMCA: Anthony Simmons