Women’s Coaching Alliance Expands to LA County, Partnering with AYSO, Angel City Football Club to Empower New Generation of Female Leadership

Women’s Coaching Alliance Expands to LA County, Partnering with AYSO, Angel City Football Club to Empower  New Generation of Female Leadership.

‍WCA’s Highly Successful Bay Area Sports Leadership Model Coming to LA for the First Time

The Women’s Coaching Alliance (WCA), building on its mission to develop female leaders through coaching youth sports, will significantly expand its highly successful Northern California programs to Southern California for the first time. In partnership with American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), Angel City Football Club (ACFC) and the Claremont Club, the WCA will launch its second chapter in Pasadena and Claremont at a “kick-off” event at the Claremont Club on August 17.

“As we celebrate our third anniversary and more than 100 young women stepping into coaching youth sports, we are thrilled to bring WCA to the Los Angeles area,” said Pam Baker, founder of the Women’s Coaching Alliance. “Our model is all about hands-on experience, empowerment, and education. Young women develop lifelong leadership skills through coaching and they also gain the confidence to lead - on the field and off. Parents and communities in the Bay Area are now asking for WCA coaches and we can’t wait to make a lasting impact in Southern California next.”

WCA connects female athletes ages 15-26 with youth coaching opportunities at partnering sports organizations like AYSO. To date over 100 coaches, 1,000 kids and 7 cities in Northern California have benefited from WCA. Feedback from parents, players and youth sports organizations is glowing. Players, both boys and girls, say they have fun and want to return to play. This made it easy for AYSO Regions in LA County to partner with WCA to fill the coaching gap, and inspired ACFC and the Claremont Club to support WCA’s growth in LA. The expansion into Los Angeles County will allow more young women to coach - and lead. 

Event Details:

• Location: Claremont Club, 1777 Monte Vista Ave, Claremont, CA
• Time: 10AM - 12PM
• Registration: RSVP here 

“To strengthen our volunteer efforts and expand our capacity, we are committed to providing high-quality support and training. The Women’s Coaching Alliance is an ideal option, aligning closely with our values and philosophy. Their comprehensive training not only fulfills all AYSO certification requirements but also emphasizes leadership and personal development. We’re excited to track this effort and broaden their impact within our community”, said Scott Snyder AYSO’s Senior Director of Sport Development.

“Since our launch, Angel City has been committed to removing barriers for women and gender expansive individuals in sports. We developed the ACFC Coach Network to increase the pipeline of these individuals to make a significant impact in our sport, but we know this cannot be the only resource,” said Chris Fajardo, VP of Community for Angel City.  “We are thrilled to support the Women’s Coaching Alliance’s expansion into Los Angeles as they bring their proven hands-on model to empower local coaches to better serve our youth.”

“At The Claremont Club, sports and fitness are at the heart of what we do”, said Megan Devlin-Preiksa, Claremont Club General Manager. “We have a long-standing history of offering youth programs in tennis and swim, and we are committed to building character through movement. We are proud to support the Women’s Coaching Alliance and its mission to empower the next generation of female leaders through coaching. It’s an honor to be the first Southern California facility selected for this initiative, and we’re excited to be part of a program that fosters camaraderie, confidence, and leadership in young women.”

About AYSO

The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) is the oldest national nonprofit youth soccer program in the United States. The AYSO mission is to develop and deliver quality youth soccer programs throughout the country which promote a fun, family environment built on the foundation of Six Philosophies: Everyone Plays, Open Registration, Balanced Teams, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship, Player Development.  These tenets were created to provide a positive, fair and fun soccer experience for all players.

About Angel City Football Club

Angel City Football Club (ACFC) of Los Angeles, in the National Women’s Soccer League, is entering its fourth season in 2025 at BMO Stadium in downtown Los Angeles. ACFC is led by controlling owners Willow Bay and Bob Iger and was co-founded by tech entrepreneur Julie Uhrman, actor and activist Natalie Portman, and venture capitalist Kara Nortman. The club has been named the world’s most valuable women’s sports team, with a valuation of $250 million. Mark Parsons serves as the team’s Sporting Director and Alex Straus is the club’s head coach.

About The Claremont Club

The Claremont Club is a full-service 19-acre wellness and fitness facility located in the heart of Claremont, California. For more than 50 years, the Club has been a hub for community, connection, and movement, offering programs that support physical health, personal growth, and social well-being. With a strong emphasis on youth development, inclusivity, and community partnerships, The Claremont Club is dedicated to creating an environment where individuals of all ages can thrive.

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