The Emerging Coach Program

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Who Should Apply?

The application is open to all Rush WI Female High School athletes. Successful candidates will display the following Rush Core Values:

  • Advice
  • Emerging Coaches will actively seek ways to improve, and they will demonstrate a growth mindset.
  • Passion
  • Emerging Coaches will be passionate about their own development.
  • Accountable and Tenacious
  • Emerging Coaches will hold themselves accountable and strive to perform at their highest level, even when stretched outside of their comfort zone. 


Application deadline extended to 10/17/25.

Apply Now

Thank you Sponsors!

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What is the Emerging Coach Program?

Only 25% of all youth coaches are female.  Only 45.3% of college women’s teams are coached by women.  Those numbers drastically decrease when looking at women coaching men’s college programs. One way Rush Wisconsin is trying to address this issue is through the Emerging Coach Program.

Rush Wisconsin’s Emerging Coach Program is an identification program for Rush female high school athletes who show potential to coach soccer. 

Two selected athlete applicants that participate in the 6-month program will receive; 

  • Paid access to the WWSAC Symposium in the winter and US Soccer Federation Grassroots Coaching Course (Winter/Spring)
  • An assigned mentor from within Rush WI, helping emerging coaches determine their coaching goals and align with what the Rush WI offers
  • Apprentice coach role and coaching development with the Rush WI winter programming in January – March 
  • Network building opportunities amongst fellow emerging coaches, Rush WI staff, and various players, directors, referees, and coaches in Madison and at WWSAC Symposium and USSF Course.

Mentee Expectations

During the Mentor Program, Mentees will be expected to:

  • Work to engage, develop, and foster a meaningful relationship with their assigned Mentor
  • Attend and actively engage in WWSAC Symposium (Offered Every 2 Years in Winter)
  • Actively participate in winter soccer programming with mentor (will work around your schedule)
  • Attend and actively engage in USSF Grassroots Coaching Course
  • Create and Reflect on coaching philosophy, coaching goals, coaching decisions, and next steps.
  • Contribute to the development of the Emerging Coach Program, helping Rush WI improve this program for the next group

Program Alumni

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Willa

“A big takeaway for me was learning how to adjust practices while it was happening depending on what the players were needing. Also, watching the UW Badger women’s training session taught be how to be a better player and a better coach.”

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Emerson

“I learned how to work with athletes depending on who they are as an individual. I also learned how to create a practice session, along with all of the considerations, and plan it out.”

Evie

“The WWSAC Symposium was eye opening. It was so cool to see so many people in one place focused on girls in sport. I learned a lot.”

Willa

“A big takeaway for me was learning how to adjust practices while it was happening depending on what the players were needing. Also, watching the UW Badger women’s training session taught be how to be a better player and a better coach.”

Emerson

“I learned how to work with athletes depending on who they are as an individual. I also learned how to create a practice session, along with all of the considerations, and plan it out.”