About
Home Field Advantage offers sports programs that focus on soccer skills and coaching education. The program runs as a 6-week program and uses existing underused facilities and underused community spaces for its activities. Student coaches from local high schools take an active role in running sessions while receiving mentorship through a structured development program with ongoing training, education, and support for mentor coaches.
• Schedule: 6-week program
Founded in 2016 in Downey, CA, Home Field Advantage is a 501(c)(3) sports leadership nonprofit with a mission to create healthier, stronger, more active and connected communities through sports leadership development. The organization brings neighborhood playing grounds to life across Los Angeles and the surrounding region through sports programs led by local leaders and works alongside student coaches from local high schools. Many student coaches go on to become mentor coaches, which creates a sustainable cycle of leadership and growth and supports the vision to create a sustainable sports structure within communities by activating local neighborhoods through coaching education. Home Field Advantage provides safe after-school sports programs and produces student coaches by teaching high school students coaching techniques and leadership skills.
Home Field Advantage partnered with the Downey Foundation for Educational Opportunities (DFEO) in 2017 and serves cities including Downey, El Monte, Whittier, and Compton. The organization has a partnership with PUMA to outfit coaches, athletes, and programs across Downey, El Monte, Whittier, and Compton. It has been named one of 17 organizations nationwide for the Soccer Forward Grant and recognized as Community Champions for the Los Angeles World Cup Legacy Program.
The leadership team includes Founder & Executive Director Sacha van der Most van Spijk; Director, Programs, Giovanni Leguizamon; Director, Brand & Operations, Yolanthe v.; and Program Coordinator & TC Director, Joshua Esparza. The board includes Chair, Luz Lluncor; Treasurer, Giovanni Leguizamon; Secretary, Yolanthe van der Most van Spijk; and board members Allison Box, Cris Gilmore, Matt Morse, Donna Vasquez, and Anthony Zegarra. A testimonial from Sacha describes years of walking kids to school, seeing the potential of fields at middle schools and elementary schools, and asking what could be done to create a “Home Field Advantage” for kids in their own neighborhoods.
Last updated June 22, 2026.
• Schedule: 6-week program
Founded in 2016 in Downey, CA, Home Field Advantage is a 501(c)(3) sports leadership nonprofit with a mission to create healthier, stronger, more active and connected communities through sports leadership development. The organization brings neighborhood playing grounds to life across Los Angeles and the surrounding region through sports programs led by local leaders and works alongside student coaches from local high schools. Many student coaches go on to become mentor coaches, which creates a sustainable cycle of leadership and growth and supports the vision to create a sustainable sports structure within communities by activating local neighborhoods through coaching education. Home Field Advantage provides safe after-school sports programs and produces student coaches by teaching high school students coaching techniques and leadership skills.
Home Field Advantage partnered with the Downey Foundation for Educational Opportunities (DFEO) in 2017 and serves cities including Downey, El Monte, Whittier, and Compton. The organization has a partnership with PUMA to outfit coaches, athletes, and programs across Downey, El Monte, Whittier, and Compton. It has been named one of 17 organizations nationwide for the Soccer Forward Grant and recognized as Community Champions for the Los Angeles World Cup Legacy Program.
The leadership team includes Founder & Executive Director Sacha van der Most van Spijk; Director, Programs, Giovanni Leguizamon; Director, Brand & Operations, Yolanthe v.; and Program Coordinator & TC Director, Joshua Esparza. The board includes Chair, Luz Lluncor; Treasurer, Giovanni Leguizamon; Secretary, Yolanthe van der Most van Spijk; and board members Allison Box, Cris Gilmore, Matt Morse, Donna Vasquez, and Anthony Zegarra. A testimonial from Sacha describes years of walking kids to school, seeing the potential of fields at middle schools and elementary schools, and asking what could be done to create a “Home Field Advantage” for kids in their own neighborhoods.
Last updated June 22, 2026.
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