Youth

Coaching

BUDA pays its youth coaches. With coached programs for ages 5 to 19 across Eastern Massachusetts every season, we are always looking for adults who like teaching the game, plus a few ready to lead at the national level.

Open roles

Summer is the big hiring season, with four distinct roles:

  • Youth Club Prep — for coaches who love teaching and mentorship: fundamentals, confidence, and an inclusive environment for younger players
  • Regional teams — motivated high schoolers, two to three practices a week plus weekend tournaments within driving distance
  • YCC teams — the highest level: advanced strategy, frequent practices, and national travel to the Youth Club Championships
  • Summer camp — the overnight camp BUDA runs with Boston Glory, the city's professional team; a week of skills, activities, and camp life

Town K-8 and 9-12 programs also need coaches every fall and spring, usually one weekday or weekend session a week.

Training requirements

Every adult around a team — head coach, assistant, team administrator, chaperone — completes three certifications. BUDA covers the cost of all three:

  1. NCSI background check, renewed every two years; results go straight from NCSI to BUDA
  2. SafeSport training, renewed annually: abuse and misconduct prevention; the $20 course fee is covered
  3. CDC Heads Up concussion training, a 30-minute course renewed every two years

Email youth@buda.org before you start and we'll issue the registration keys; certifications from USAU or another sport within the last year usually transfer.

You don't need to be a star

The best K-8 coaches are rarely the best players. You need patience, a loud-enough voice, and the suggested BUDA curriculum, a practice-by-practice plan on the resources page next to the coaching FAQ. New coaches get paired with experienced ones, and the youth program staff answer questions year-round. If you can teach a backhand and run a fair scrimmage, you can coach third graders.

Apply

Email youth@buda.org with the age group and season you're interested in, or watch for the role-specific applications each spring. Not ready to commit to a season? Volunteer at a single clinic or tournament first and see how it feels.