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 between 16-18 years old and interested in coaching?

Check out our Junior Coach program for high school girls!

Learn More
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Girls on the run coach holding sign reading intuitive
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Smiling Girls on the Run coach and participant

Are you between 16-18 years old and interested in coaching?

Check out our Junior Coach program for high school girls!

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

  • At Girls on the Run we strive to ensure our coaches are representative of the communities we serve. We encourage people of all races/ethnicities, gender identities and abilities to apply to coach.
  • You must be post-high school and at least 18 years of age.
  • View sites that are in need of coaches this season.
  • Complete our Coach Application.
  • Consent to and complete a background check.
  • Attend and finish Coach Training.
  • Lead at least one practice per week.
  • Attend a pre-season meeting with your site's coaching team.

Responsibilities

  • Get to know and understand your co-coaches to better serve your team.
  • Serve as a role model for program participants.
  • Review, prepare and supervise weekly lessons (curriculum provided by Girls on the Run).
  • Collaborate with other coaches for successful lesson delivery.
  • Commit for the entire season (practices and end-of-season 5K event).
  • Facilitate communication with parents/guardians of program participants. 

Season Details

  • Spring Season Coach Application Closes – January 25
  • New Coach Training – January 20, January 28 and Feburary 10
  • Returning Coach Training – January 10 and January 23 
  • Spring Season Practices Begin – Week of Feburary 12
  • Girls on the Run Spring 5K - Weekend of April 27

Help transform and strengthen the next generation

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A Girls on the Run is smiling at the camera wearing a blue 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

A Girls on the Run program coach smiles at the camera outdoors.

"It’s the girls’ smiles that inspire and motivate me."

Coach Mo

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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!

 

Yes. Here is our policy:

  • At least one coach over the age of 21 must be present at all times.
  • All other coaches must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Junior Coaches must be at least 16 years of age.

Each team decides on their own practice times. Most teams' practices are after school; however, some teams that start a later in the afternoon.

Teams may practice at designated parks, recreation and community centers, homes and schools. The location and times are approved prior to participant registration each season. 

Our Girls on the Run program serves girls in 3rd – 5th grade and our Heart & Sole program serves girls in 6th – 8th grade. You may sign up to coach either of these programs.

For safety reasons and for effective facilitation, the maximum team size is capped at 15. If a site would like to host more than one team, they will need to establish a separate group of coaches and meeting days/times. 

If you are not a teacher or relative of a girl at an existing site, select “PLEASE MATCH ME WITH A SITE” on your application, and we will work to connect you with a team. We cannot guarantee that you will find a team with open coaching slots that matches your schedule and location needs.

We use a 20-lesson curriculum spread over the course of 12 weeks. With two lessons/week this structure allows for time off on school holidays and teacher work days.

Practices are 90 minutes long. You will also need to structure in some time for preparing for lessons and communicating with your coaching team and families.

We ask that all coaches attend a minimum of one of the two practices every week. If you are unable to reliably make this commitment, coaching may not be a good fit for you.

A minimum of one coach per team must have CPR and First Aid certification on file by the first session of any given season and be present at every practice.

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.

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

In addition to the two to three 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. 

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

No. There will always be a minimum of two trained coaches at every practice.

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 girls 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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