Winter Sports Performance Internship

Comunidad Lift; Stamford (CT); On-site; USD 13,000 - 20,000; Full time

Job summary

Evolution Physical Therapy & Fitness in Stamford, CT is seeking motivated individuals for its Winter 2026–2027 Paid Sports Performance Internship. The paid internship provides hands-on experience under the director of performance, Michael Statuti, within an integrated physical therapy and human performance setting.

Interns work with diverse athletes from youth to professional levels, participating in team-based training, performance testing, and rehabilitation-to-performance transitions.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Sports Science, Athletic Training, or a related field.
• Previous experience participating in or coaching organized athletics, resistance training, or strength and conditioning programs.
• Current CPR/AED certification or willingness to obtain certification.
• Pursuing or holding a recognized professional certification (e.g., NSCA-CSCS, CSCCa-SCCC, USAW, NASM) is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the implementation and supervision of individualized and group-based strength and conditioning programs.
• Participate directly in strength and conditioning sessions for partnered athletic programs.
• Assist with team-based training programs to develop strength, speed, power, agility, and overall athletic performance.
• Assist with athlete evaluations, performance assessments, and ongoing athlete monitoring.
• Gain hands-on experience with advanced sports performance technology and data interpretation.
• Support development and implementation of periodized training programs for youth to professional athletes.

Skills

CPR/AED certification

Strong communication

Coaching

Education

Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science/Kinesiology/Sports Science

Tools

VALD ForceDecks

VALD SmartSpeed

Catapult GPS

Vitruve

TeamBuildr

Job description

PAID SPORTS PERFORMANCE INTERNSHIP

Evolution Physical Therapy & Fitness | Stamford, Connecticut

Position: Sports Performance Intern
Location: Stamford, CT (In-Person)
Department: Strength & Conditioning / Human Performance
Reports To: Michael Statuti, Director of Performance
Position Type: Paid Internship
Internship Dates: December 16, 2026 – March 22, 2027
Compensation: Stipend-Based

Position Overview

Evolution Physical Therapy & Fitness is seeking highly motivated, dedicated, and passionate individuals for our Winter 2026–2027 Paid Sports Performance Internship at our Stamford, Connecticut location.

This internship provides an opportunity for aspiring strength and conditioning coaches and sports performance professionals to gain extensive hands-on experience working directly under Michael Statuti, Director of Performance, within an integrated physical therapy and human performance environment.

Selected candidates will gain practical experience working with a diverse athletic population ranging from developing youth and high school athletes to collegiate and professional athletes competing in organizations such as Major League Soccer (MLS), United Soccer League (USL), Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), and professional baseball.

In addition to individual athlete development, interns will gain direct hands-on coaching experience with our established high school and competitive team training programs. These opportunities include working alongside our performance staff with multiple competitive soccer academy teams, high school lacrosse programs, and regional travel baseball organizations.

Interns will be exposed to the unique demands of team-based strength and conditioning, including managing larger athlete populations, implementing structured training progressions, conducting team-wide performance assessments, and adapting programming to the developmental needs and competitive schedules of different sports.

Our objective is to provide interns with a comprehensive understanding of evidence-based strength and conditioning methodologies, athlete development, performance testing, program design, and the day-to-day responsibilities associated with operating a high-level sports performance facility.

Primary Responsibilities

• Assist in the implementation and supervision of individualized and group-based strength and conditioning programs.
• Participate directly in strength and conditioning sessions for our partnered high school athletic programs, competitive soccer academies, high school lacrosse teams, and travel baseball organizations.
• Assist with the implementation of team-based training programs designed to develop strength, speed, power, agility, and overall athletic performance.
• Participate in coaching sessions involving acceleration, maximal velocity sprinting, change of direction, plyometrics, resistance training, and sport-specific physical preparation.
• Assist with athlete evaluations, performance assessments, and ongoing athlete monitoring.
• Gain hands‑on experience utilizing advanced sports performance technology, including VALD ForceDecks, VALD SmartSpeed, Catapult GPS, Vitruve velocity‑based training systems, and TeamBuildr programming software.
• Assist with the collection, organization, and interpretation of athlete performance data to support evidence‑based programming decisions.
• Support the development and implementation of periodized training programs for youth, high school, collegiate, and professional athletes.
• Gain experience managing the logistical and coaching demands associated with larger team training environments, including athlete organization, training efficiency, and appropriate exercise progressions.
• Collaborate with strength and conditioning professionals and physical therapists to gain exposure to rehabilitation‑to‑performance transitions and return‑to‑sport programming.
• Assist with facility preparation, equipment organization, maintenance, and daily performance operations.
• Progressively assume increased coaching responsibilities, including opportunities to lead warm‑ups, exercise instruction, and portions of semi‑private and team training sessions under direct supervision.
• Participate in ongoing professional development, coaching education, and practical discussions surrounding exercise science, biomechanics, and athletic performance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Sports Science, Athletic Training, or a related field.
• Previous experience participating in or coaching organized athletics, resistance training, or strength and conditioning programs.
• Strong interest in pursuing a professional career in collegiate, professional, or private‑sector strength and conditioning.
• Working knowledge of exercise technique, human anatomy, biomechanics, and fundamental training principles.
• Current CPR/AED certification or willingness to obtain certification.
• Pursuing or holding a recognized professional certification, including NSCA-CSCS, CSCCa‑SCCC, USAW, NASM, or a related credential, is preferred.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to learn, accept constructive feedback, and contribute positively to a collaborative coaching environment.

A current CSCS certification is not required to apply.

Professional Development Opportunities

Throughout the internship, selected candidates will receive direct mentorship and practical education in the following areas:

• Strength and conditioning program design and periodization
• Sprint mechanics, acceleration, and maximal velocity development
• Force production, rate of force development, and reactive strength
• Plyometric progression and eccentric/concentric training methodologies
• Velocity‑based resistance training
• Force plate testing and neuromuscular performance assessment
• Athlete monitoring and performance data interpretation
• High school and academy‑level team strength and conditioning
• Team‑wide performance testing, athlete profiling, and long‑term athletic development
• Managing multiple athletes within structured team training environments
• Sport‑specific considerations for soccer, lacrosse, and baseball performance programming
• Return‑to‑performance programming and interdisciplinary collaboration
• Coaching communication, athlete management, and professional development
• Daily operations of a private‑sector sports performance facility

Interns will have opportunities to observe, assist, and progressively lead training sessions based on demonstrated competency, professionalism, and coaching development.

Compensation and Internship Details

This is a paid, stipend‑based internship located at Evolution Physical Therapy & Fitness in Stamford, Connecticut.

Winter 2026–2027 Internship Term: December 16, 2026 – March 22, 2027.

Internship scheduling will vary depending on facility operations, athlete training schedules, and professional development opportunities.

Candidates must be available for in‑person coaching responsibilities. Flexibility may be necessary to accommodate collegiate and professional athletes training during their respective offseasons, as well as scheduled high school and academy team training sessions.

Housing and employee benefits are not provided.

Successful completion of the internship may provide consideration for future employment opportunities within Evolution Physical Therapy & Fitness, subject to organizational needs and position availability.

Evolution Physical Therapy & Fitness is committed to developing the next generation of strength and conditioning professionals through practical coaching experience, evidence‑based education, and direct mentorship.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.