Sports & Recreation Intern

Foothills Area YMCA; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 14,000 - 21,000; Part time

Job summary

Foothills Area YMCA offers a part-time Sports Management Internship & Practicum designed for students pursuing careers in sport management, recreation, coaching, facility management, and related fields. You’ll work with YMCA sports leadership, gaining hands-on experience in planning, organizing, and day-to-day operations of youth sports programs and athletic facilities.

You will shadow leaders, assist with coaching, program development, events, and administration, while developing professional

Qualifications

• Pursuing sports management, recreation, coaching, facility management careers.

Responsibilities

• Assist with coaching youth sports programs
• Support coaches during practices and games
• Help with player development and age-appropriate activities
• Assist with coach communication and organization
• Gain experience working directly with youth participants and families
• Assist with planning and operating youth sports leagues
• Help with team formation and roster management
• Assist with scheduling practices and games
• Support player registration and program communication
• Help evaluate and improve sports programs
• Assist with developing new sports programs and offerings
• Shadow the Sports Director and Sports Coordinator
• Gain exposure to budgeting and purchasing
• Assist with administrative and operational tasks
• Participate in staff and planning meetings when appropriate
• Gain experience communicating with parents, coaches, officials, and community partners
• Assist with email communication and promotional materials
• Research trends and opportunities in youth and community sports
• Help develop ideas to increase participation and improve the participant experience

Skills

Planning

Organization

Communication

Coaching

Job description

FOOTHILLS AREA YMCAJob Title: Sports Management Internship & PracticumDOL Status: Part TimeFLSA Status: Non-ExemptDate Prepared: 08/14/2026Reports to: Sports DirectorDepartment: SportsPay Rate: $10.00Expected Weekly Hours: 10-15ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITYThe Foothills Area YMCA is committed to providing college students with meaningful, hands-on experience in the sports and recreation field. We welcome Clemson University PRTM students and other students pursuing careers in sport management, recreation, coaching, facility management, and related fields.As an intern with the Foothills Area YMCA, you will have the opportunity to work alongside YMCA sports leadership and gain practical experience in the planning, organization, and day-to-day operation of youth sports programs and athletic facilities. This internship is designed to provide real-world learning opportunities, professional development, and exposure to the many aspects of creating high-quality recreational experiences for children, families, and the community.ABOUT US & OUR CULTUREAt the Foothills Area YMCA, our mission and core values are brought to life through a culture focused on strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality. Our core values welcoming, genuine, hopeful, nurturing, and determined guide how we serve our members, support one another, and create meaningful experiences for everyone who walks through our doors. We strive to create an environment where interns, staff, members, and participants feel valued, connected, and encouraged to grow. An internship with the Foothills Area YMCA is more than an opportunity to gain experience; it is a chance to develop professionally, build meaningful relationships, contribute to the community, and see firsthand the positive impact sports and recreation can have on others.AREAS OF HANDS-ON EXPERIENCEYouth Sports & CoachingAssist with coaching youth sports programsSupport coaches during practices and gamesHelp with player development and age-appropriate activitiesAssist with coach communication and organizationGain experience working directly with youth participants and familiesSports Program ManagementAssist with planning and operating youth sports leaguesHelp with team formation and roster managementAssist with scheduling practices and gamesSupport player registration and program communicationHelp evaluate and improve sports programsAssist with developing new sports programs and offeringsGame & Event OperationsAssist with practice and game-day setup and breakdownPrepare fields, courts, equipment, and program areasAssist with game-day operations and logisticsHelp coordinate tournaments, special events, and sports activitiesSupport coaches, officials, participants, and families during eventsFacility & Gymnasium OperationsAssist with the daily operation of the YMCA gymnasiumMonitor gym floor activity and equipment useAssist with facility setup, organization, and maintenanceHelp maintain safe, clean, and organized athletic spacesGain experience with facility scheduling and usageAssist with the implementation and operation of new athletic facilitiesEquipment & Inventory ManagementOrganize and maintain sports equipmentAssist with equipment inventory and trackingPrepare equipment for practices, games, and eventsHelp identify equipment needs and assist with purchasingDevelop systems for efficient equipment storage and organizationSports Administration & LeadershipShadow the Sports Director and Sports CoordinatorGain exposure to budgeting and purchasingAssist with administrative and operational tasksParticipate in staff and planning meetings when appropriateGain experience communicating with parents, coaches, officials, and community partnersProgram Development, Marketing & OutreachAssist with developing new sports and recreation programsHelp promote YMCA sports programs and registration opportunitiesAssist with email communication and promotional materialsResearch trends and opportunities in youth and community sportsHelp develop ideas to increase participation and improve the participant experienceWHAT STUDENTS CAN EXPECTStudents may have opportunities to:Gain practical, hands-on experience in a professional YMCA environmentWork alongside YMCA sports leadership and other team membersGain exposure to different areas of sports, recreation, programs, events, and facility operationsDevelop professional communication, organization, problem-solving, and leadership skillsBuild experience interacting with youth, coaches, families, members, and community partnersAssist with the planning and implementation of programs, activities, leagues, and special eventsLearn about the day-to-day operations and responsibilities involved in serving a diverse communityTake on projects or responsibilities that support academic internship or practicum requirements when possibleEMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS WHO DIRECTLY SUPERVISE YOUTH WILL:Adhere to policies related to boundaries with youth.Attend required abuse risk management training.Adhere to procedures related to managing high-risk activities and supervising youth.Report suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations.Follow mandated abuse reporting requirements.EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS WHO DO NOT DIRECTLY SUPERVISE YOUTH WILL:Adhere to policies related to boundaries with youth.Attend required abuse risk management training.Report suspicious and inappropriate behaviors and policy violations.Follow mandated abuse reporting requirements.Adhere to job specific abuse risk management responsibilities.Maintenance employees and volunteers—ensure unused rooms and closets remain locked; routinely monitor high-risk locations (locker rooms and bathrooms, hallways, stairwells), etc.Front desk personnel—ensure youth are properly signed in and signed out, ensures only authorized adults are allowed in the facility, etc.