Help Inspire the Next Generation of Athletes!
Special Olympics Southern California is seeking enthusiastic and compassionate volunteers to support a new Young Athletes program in Torrance.
Young Athletes is an inclusive sport and play program designed for children ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities, helping them develop foundational skills including fitness, strength, balance, coordination, body awareness, adaptive skills, and visual tracking while building confidence, social connections, and a lifelong love of physical activity.
As a Young Athletes Head Coach, you will provide overall leadership for the program while creating a fun, welcoming, and supportive environment where every child can succeed. Head Coaches are responsible for planning and conducting program sessions, supporting participant development, coordinating Coaches and Team Volunteers, fostering family engagement, and ensuring a safe, inclusive, and positive experience for all participants.
Program Details
Dates: September 11 - October 23, 2026
Schedule: Friday Afternoons
Commitment: approximately 2 hours per week, once a week for 7 weeks
Volunteer Responsibilities
- Plan, organize, and conduct Young Athletes sessions using approved curriculum and resources
- Provide leadership, guidance, and support to Coaches and Team Volunteers
- Ensure activities are safe, engaging, developmentally appropriate, and inclusive for all participants
- Support participant skill development through instruction, encouragement, and positive reinforcement
- Foster a positive and welcoming environment for participants and families
- Communicate with participants, families, volunteers, and SOSC staff regarding program needs and updates
- Coordinate equipment setup, organization, and cleanup
- Monitor participant safety and address concerns in accordance with SOSC policies and procedures
- Assist with participant attendance and program administration as needed
- Support Young Athletes festivals, demonstrations, and special events when opportunities are available
- Serve as the primary on-site volunteer leader for the program
Ideal Volunteers
- Enjoy working with young children
- Support inclusion and community engagement
- Are dependable, patient, organized, and energetic
- Have experience working with children ages 2-7 (preferred)
- Have experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities (strongly preferred)
- Have previous coaching, teaching, youth leadership, or Young Athletes experience (preferred)
- Are comfortable leading volunteers, communicating effectively, and creating a positive learning environment
- Are willing to complete required volunteer onboarding, trainings, Young Athletes coach certification, Level 3 coaching requirements, and a background check
Why Volunteer?
By volunteering as a Young Athletes Head Coach, you'll play a key role in helping children develop foundational movement and sport-readiness skills while building confidence, friendships, and a love of physical activity. You'll have the opportunity to mentor fellow volunteers, engage with families, and lead a program that creates meaningful opportunities for young children of all abilities.
You'll also become part of the Special Olympics Southern California community and help advance acceptance, inclusion, and well-being for people with intellectual disabilities through sports.
Join us in bringing this exciting new program to the Torrance community and help create an unforgettable experience for our youngest athletes!
