Coach

Girls on the Run coaches are trained volunteers who lead a team of participants through a season of powerful and fun lessons. You do not need to be a runner; you simply need to have a desire to support and encourage the next generation. Coaches receive all the tools and support they need and find that they get as much out of coaching as they give.

Are you a GOTR Alumni between 16-18 years old?

Check out our Junior Coach program for high schoolers!

Learn More
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Six coaches holding a pink frame smiling
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GOTR coach wearing a purple shirt running at the 5K smiling
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Girls on the Run coach pointing to their blue superstar coach cap

Are you a GOTR Alumni between 16-18 years old?

Check out our Junior Coach program for high schoolers!

Learn More

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coach quote

“Being a coach has impacted me in a positive way. I feel more empowered and confident. All the lessons are lessons that even we as adults can learn from. I love the program.”

<ul> <li>Vous devez avoir au moins 18&nbsp;ans.</li> <li>Remplissez notre candidature d&rsquo;animateur.</li> <li>Consentez &agrave; une v&eacute;rification des ant&eacute;c&eacute;dents et fourni

Requirements

  • Not a runner? Not a problem! Simply bring your passion for empowering youth!
  • Coaches are at least 18 years old
  • Complete a Coach Application
  • Complete a background check
  • Complete Coach Training
  • Commit to the entire season’s schedule, including the 5K event
  • Attend practices each week (2x/week preferred; at least 1x/week required)
  • Check out our detailed Position Description and Coach FAQ

Responsibilities

  • Check out this video to learn more about the coach experience!
  • Serve as a coach for a team of youth (3rd-5th or 6th-8th graders)
  • Be reliable; arrive on-time and prepared to lead lessons
  • Maintain coach/kid ratio for safety & positive dynamics
  • Facilitate lessons as intended (curriculum & supplies provided)
  • Collaborate with co-coaches to best serve your team
  • Communicate with parents of program participants
  • Have fun while serving as a positive role model for participants

Season Details

  • Coach application for Spring 2024 is open Oct 23 - March 15
  • Training date options (attend one): 3/14, 3/16, 3/17, or 3/20
  • Season starts: Week of April 1st
  • 5K celebration: Saturday, June 1st in Verona, WI
  • Note: practice times vary by site; sessions are generally held after bell dismissal

Help transform and strengthen the next generation

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A Girls on the Run coach is smiling at kid wearing a green program shirt

"Watching the girls in terms of what they have learned has been really fun this season. I think the best thing they have learned as a group is to have trust in each other and to communicate with each other about how they feel."

Coach Kaylyn

A Girls on the Run coach smiles while holding a program medal at the 5K

"As a coach, I just really realized how important it is to pour into this generation of girls and lift them up."

Coach Shayla

True

Frequently Asked Questions

There are girls who need YOU to help them unleash their power and potential. If you are considering coaching, ask yourself: What better gift can you give to the next generation than inspiring confidence and a strong sense of self?

  • Almost 100% of girls said their Girls on the Run coaches care about them.
  • 99% of coaches agreed that the coaching experience was valuable for them.
  • 96% of coaches said they felt they formed positive relationships with the girls on their team.
  • 94% of Girls on the Run coaches said they felt like they were making a difference in their girls’ lives.
 

No! Girls on the Run provides the training, curriculum and supplies needed to safely lead a team for a season! You simply need to be a motivating role model for your team. Many of our coaches participate in their first 5K alongside their team!

 

Thank you for being intentional with your decision to coach! Please read our Message to Coaches and our Coach FAQ if you're considering the commitment. 

Yes! Community coaches are individuals not directly affiliated with a school or community location who support the Girls on the Run mission. Community coaches are placed according to their geographic location and their availability at sites that need additional coaches.

Girls on the Run is intentionally designed to be delivered in small groups. 

  • For a standard team size of 8-15 kids, 3 coaches are needed at every practice (more are welcome).
  • For a large team size of 16-20 kids, 4 coaches are needed at every practice (more are welcome).
  • Multiple teams are allowed to run concurrently at a site, as long as there are enough dedicated coaches to each team, and space adequate to safely host two separate teams. 

Coaches do not create lessons or workouts. Coaches facilitate an easy-to-follow, well-researched, copyrighted curriculum that is used by all Girls on the Run councils throughout the United States and Canada.

No! We provide you with training, curriculum books and all faciltation supplies – everything needed to confidently coach a safe, successful season! Coaches should not incur any personal costs to provide the program to your team.

Our GOTR council provides each team with the curriculum and supplies needed to facilitate the season. We will announce specific dates for supply pick up in the weeks leading up to the start of the season. Coach box/supply pickup will be located at our office, 901 Deming Way Madison, WI 53717.

Training for NEW coaches includes online self-paced training (approx 4 hours) and an in-person training session (approx 2.5 hours). We will provide more information about coach training before the season begins (training dates for the spring season are listed above).

During the season, coaches should expect to volunteer 3-4 hours per week. This includes: two 90 min practices sessions each week, a little time on-site before and after practice, reviewing GOTR curriculum ahead of the lesson, and communicating with co-coaches, participant's families, and GOTR staff. To provide a consistent experience to participants, your commitment is crucial to prepare and collaborate with co-coaches to facilitate fun, successful lessons.

Teams may practice at accessible public parks, recreation and community centers, and schools. The location and times are approved prior to participant registration each season. Practice times are typically set in the late afternoon/early evening hours (to accommodate participants after school). 

Coaches may indicate where they would like to coach. If coaches do not have a preference, we will assign them to a location in need of additional volunteer coaches.

Absolutely! The more, the merrier! Each Girls on the Run practice is led by three or four trained coaches. If you would like to coach at an existing site with another coach, please mention this in your application and we will do our best to accommodate you.

A minimum of one coach per team must have CPR and First Aid certification on file. Girls on the Run offers CPR/First Aid training to GOTR coaches who need an updated certification. 

Sorry, no. Having unregistered people or pets at GOTR practice is a liability concern for our organization. As a GOTR coach, you'll be giving all your attention to the girls in order to build positive, inclusive relationships, develop a healthy team dynamic and deliver the curriculum as intended. 

No. Coaches can be of any gender identity and from all walks of life.

In addition to the adult coaches, who are 18 years of age or older, some teams may also have a Junior Coach assigned. Junior Coaches are high school volunteers between the ages 16-18 who complete an application and training. They are role models and developing leaders who support the adult coaches and mentor the team. 

Merci d’envisager d’accepter le rôle vital d’animateur bénévole pour Girls on the Run. Si vous avez toujours des questions sur la façon de débloquer le pouvoir et le potentiel des filles de votre communauté, veuillez communiqu

Thanks for considering the vital role of serving as a volunteer coach for Girls on the Run. If you still have questions about how you can unlock the power and potential kids in your community, please contact us!

Email Us

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Unlock Potential

Love what you learned about our program and coaches? Sign your girl up today!

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Unlock Potential

Smiling Girls on the Run participant in wheelchair writing as kneeling coach helps

Love what you learned about our program and coaches? Sign your girl up today!

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