Fall 2026 - Hartford Athletic Assistant Academy Coach Intern

Hartford Athletic • Windsor, CT

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Hartford Athletic is seeking an Assistant Academy Coach Intern for the Fall 2026 semester. This internship offers a valuable opportunity for students, recent graduates, or young coaches to gain practical experience in youth soccer coaching within a professional Academy environment. Interns will work closely with the Head Coach and other Academy staff, assisting in all aspects of training, match-day operations, player development, and performance analysis. This role is ideal for individuals pursuing careers in Sport Management, Coaching, Exercise Science, or related fields who are passionate about developing a career in youth and professional soccer coaching.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, a recent graduate, or a young coach gaining experience, otherwise must be a volunteer.
• Available throughout the fall and/or spring semester.
• Available for evening and weekend training sessions, matches, and tournaments.
• Reliable transportation to Hartford Athletic Academy training and match locations.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds and assist with equipment setup and breakdown.

Nice To Haves

• Strong passion for coaching and player development.
• Some previous youth soccer coaching experience.
• Good understanding of the technical and tactical aspects of the game.
• Enthusiastic, reliable, and willing to learn.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Comfortable working with young players in a high-performance environment.
• Demonstrates professionalism and represents Hartford Athletic appropriately.
• Willing to receive feedback and continually develop their coaching practice.
• Ambitions to continue developing a career within soccer coaching.
• A U.S. Soccer coaching license or equivalent qualification, or active progress toward coaching qualifications, is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Head Coach with the planning and delivery of Academy training sessions.
• Support the organization and setup of training activities.
• Lead individual components of sessions under the direction of the Head Coach.
• Coach individuals and small groups within training.
• Provide appropriate technical and tactical feedback to players.
• Assist with position-specific and unit-based development work.
• Help create a positive, competitive, and development-focused training environment.
• Support the implementation of Hartford Athletic's Academy playing and coaching methodology.
• Assist with match-day preparation and organization.
• Support the delivery of pre-match warm-ups.
• Assist the Head Coach with tactical preparation and player communication.
• Observe and analyze individual and team performance during matches.
• Provide appropriate input to the Head Coach throughout match day.
• Assist with post-match player feedback and review.
• Support the creation and implementation of individual player development objectives.
• Provide regular feedback to players regarding their technical, tactical, physical, and personal development.
• Assist with individual and small-group development sessions.
• Support player evaluations and development reports.
• Help identify areas for continued player development.
• Build positive and professional relationships with Academy players.
• Assist with filming training sessions and matches where required.
• Review match footage alongside Academy coaching staff.
• Identify clips that can support individual and team development.
• Assist with individual player video reviews.
• Use video as a tool to reinforce coaching points and Academy principles.
• Assist with equipment setup and breakdown at training sessions and matches.
• Support communication and organization around the team where required.
• Work collaboratively with other Hartford Athletic Academy coaches and staff.
• Attend relevant Academy staff meetings and coach-development activities.
• Represent Hartford Athletic professionally at training sessions, matches, tournaments, and club events.
• Develop an understanding of the Hartford Athletic player-development pathway.
• Support the development of players with the potential to progress through the Academy structure.
• Work collaboratively with coaches across different Academy age groups.
• Gain exposure to the connection between Academy soccer, Hartford Athletic II, and the professional First Team.
• Support opportunities for players to train or compete at appropriate levels within the club pathway.

Benefits

• Learning opportunities in planning and delivering high-level youth soccer training.
• Practical experience in individual player development.
• Exposure to technical and tactical coaching.
• Experience in match-day coaching and preparation.
• Development in video and performance analysis.
• Hands-on experience with player evaluation and reporting.
• Working within a professional Academy environment.
• Understanding a professional club's playing and coaching methodology.
• Experience working as part of a professional technical staff.
• Understanding the pathway from youth soccer toward senior and professional soccer.
• Opportunities for mentorship and coach development through interaction with Hartford Athletic coaching and technical staff.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed