Portland Thorns FC
COACHING MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Creating access and opportunity for the next generation of female coaches.
About the Program
APPLY NOWThe Washington Spirit Coaching Mentorship program is designed to elevate and support female soccer coaches in the Washington, D.C. region. In addition to increasing opportunities for female coaches in the game, the mentorship program is designed to proactively develop careers, create a coaching pipeline, and provide a valuable professional network.
Mentees can expect to develop a broad understanding of soccer-specific tactics, learn about technologies revolutionizing the game, gain insight into performance and strength & conditioning methodologies, learn and work through opponent analysis, and game preparation.
Full applications must be submitted by Friday, February 6th, 2026. If you have additional questions, please contact amayoral@washspirit.com.
The 2026 Program
APPLY NOWThe Washington Spirit will continue the team’s successful Coaching Mentorship Program in 2026, the club announced today. Initially launched in 2023, the groundbreaking program aims to grow the number of female soccer coaches in the DMV.
Across the United States, there is a disproportionately low number of female coaches in soccer, namely the youth levels of soccer. This year, less than 25% of young women and girls that play soccer will play for a female head coach. This subpar number is often due to gender bias, a lack of support for mothers who coach, unequal pay and other factors. The Washington Spirit is taking action and providing pathways and resources to promote the development of women in coaching.
In 2026, the Spirit will welcome ten new members to the club’s Coaching Mentorship Program. Next year’s class will consist of youth, high school and college coaches. These mentees will have the opportunity to attend training sessions, attend 3 Spirit Matches at Audi Field, and more.
Throughout the 2025 season, the mentees had the opportunity to learn from the teams’ coaches. These coaches were able to participate in a unique process of mentorship that fit each individual’s respective strengths and addressed their specific interests.
Those interested in participating in the 2026 Coaching Mentorship Program can apply here. The application period opens today and will close on February 6th, 2025. Applicants selected for interviews will be notified mid-February.
History of the Program
LEARN MORE
In July 2023, the Washington Spirit announced its new Coaching Mentorship program to elevate and support female soccer coaches in the Washington, D.C. region. The mentorship program is designed to increase opportunities for female coaches, proactively develop their careers, create a coaching pipeline, and provide them with a valuable professional network. The inaugural cohort included three local coaches, while in 2025, this number increased to 10 local coaches.
About the 2025 Program
MEET THE MENTEESIn 2025, the program expanded to include 10 mentees who participated in the program from March to November. Throughout the program, attended Spirit training sessions, completed an online class and experienced three Spirit matches at Audi Field.
The following coaches were selected to the 2025 cohort:
- Karen Billingslea – Villareal Virginia Director of Girls Coaching, Head Coach U11-U19, VA Marauders, W-League, Assistant Coach
- Mackayla Brodie – Head Coach and Program Director, Loudoun Soccer Club
- Celeste Buss – DC Way Academy Head Coach, Youth Girls Coordinator, and Club Manager
- Allie Coyle – Head Coach Boys Varsity, Blair High School
- Jane Dawber – DC Soccer Club, Youth Director, Virginia Marauders W-League Head Coach
- Allison Diaz – Head Coach Girls Varsity, St. John’s College High School, Coach Arlington Soccer Association
- Madison Ferrara – Notre Dame Preparatory School Assistant JV Coach, Coppermine SC Girls Academy Director
- Erica Klein – MSI Travel Program Director and Head Coach Girls Soccer, Flint Hill School
- Bupe Okeowo – League Commissioner and Coach – The Player Progression Academy
- Alyssa Whitehead – Arlington Soccer Association Girls Academy Goalkeeper Director