Girls Lacrosse Coach, Young Quakers Community Athletics

Posted by University of Pennsylvania on August 29, 2016

Young Quakers Community Athletics (YQCA) is a partnership between the Barbara and Edward Netter Center for Community Partnerships and the Division of Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics. Directed through Netter’s University-Assisted Community Schools program (UACS), YQCA creates mutually beneficial partnerships between select Penn intercollegiate athletic teams and West Philadelphia public schools. Founded in 2012 with boys’ lacrosse at Comegys Community School, YQCA has grown quickly to include girls’ lacrosse at Comegys and co-ed track at Huey Community School and Lea Community School with the potential for reaching even more students through additional sports in the future.

Penn’s varsity athletes engage with West Philadelphia K-8 students, mentoring the children on the field and off. In addition to the mentoring, YQCA provides staff, coaches, uniforms, sports equipment, bus transportation, and access to the University’s world-class playing fields at no cost to the schools or their students. Program participants also benefit from the Netter Center’s comprehensive UACS programming, which brings additional academic, human, and material resources from Penn to their schools during the school day, after school, and in the summer. The YQCA Head Coach will be responsible for practice planning and facilitating sessions with Big Quakers (Penn athletes) and UACS students (K-8 students). Sessions will focus on Big Quaker engagement and integrating life skill development into practice sessions. The YQ Head Coach will be responsible for regular communication to the Big Quakers about practice plans and expectations. The head coach will be jointly hired by YQCA Senior staff and Penn Division coaches.

Requirements
 High school degree required, College degree preferred
 2-5 years experience in sports based youth development or related field (ie teaching); prefer experience working with at risk urban youth
 Extensive knowledge of lacrosse required; Playing and/or coaching collegiate level preferred
 Complete all Federal and state background checks/clearances

Responsibilities
 Attendance at all YQCA coach trainings, practices and competition
 Practice planning/facilitation
o Create detailed practice plans including debrief/feedback after sessions with focus on linking life skills to sports skills
o Facilitate sports skills and leadership/team building lessons with elementary and college student-athlete
 Communicate practice plans to YQCA senior staff and Penn athletes by assigned deadlines
 Complete game scheduling with support from YQCA senior staff if needed
 Coordinate special events including food/beverages, opening/closing ceremonies

Estimated Schedule: September-June
 6-10 hours per week including practice facilitation and planning
 Sessions are Wednesday + Friday from approximately 3:30-6:00 pm
 After-school hours; Occasional weekend commitments
 Additional training, professional development sessions will be scheduled

Compensation: $20-$25 per hour depending on experience

To apply, please send resume to YQCA Director, Jennifer Chu, jenx@sas.upenn.edu