Coaches
Coach Celina Avina
Celina Avina is the head of NorCal Bandits Fastpitch and head coach for NorCal Bandits 18U Gold. She founded the organization in fall of 2012. In addition to her roles with NorCal Bandits, Celina is the head coach for the varsity softball team at Monterey Trail High School in Elk Grove, CA. Her previous ASA coaching experience includes being a head coach or assistant with San Jose Sting, Team Xtreme, West Bay Nuggets, and Strike Zone. She was also an assistant coach with Notre Dame de Namur University and head coach for Carlmont High School.
Celina's playing experience took her around the world, including playing in a national tournament in Canada at age 13. She was a 4-year varsity starter at Carlmont High School in Belmont, California, and was the only player in Central Coast Section history to be named All-League in three consecutive seasons at three different positions. Her team won three Central Coast Section championship titles and three league titles.
Celina received a scholarship to play at Division 1 Long Island University (LIU)-Brooklyn, winner of the most championships of any sport in Northeast Conference history. She earned a starting position at shortstop her freshman year with the LIU Blackbirds. Her team won three Northeast Conference titles and participated in the NCAA Regional Tournament in three of her four seasons. Celina graduated from LIU-Brooklyn with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice.
Coach Jose Avina
Jose Avina attended Nicholls State University in Louisiana and played football there. Jose has been a strength coach since 2010 when he and his former teammates founded PSTI in Palo Alto. Jose has been the NorCal Bandits strength and conditioning coach since it was founded in 2012.
Coach Jose's main focus is injury prevention and speed/strength and agility. He does sports specific training gearing the workout towards the athletes sport.