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
tape
Two smiling Girls on the Run coaches holding participant
tape
Girls on the run coach holding sign reading intuitive
tape
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

tape
Coach Isabel

“Even as I go through these lessons, I’m able to reflect on my own emotional learning and how I can continue to grow. It’s given me a lot of new perspectives about who I am.”

<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

  • Head and Assistant Coaches: You must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Jr. Coaches must turn 16 by June 1, 2024
  • Complete our Coach Registration Application. 
  • Consent to and complete a background check.
  • Attend and finish Coach Training.
  • Commit to the season’s practice schedule, which is two times per week after school  

Responsibilities

  • Get to know and understand your co-coaches to better serve your team.
  • Have fun while serving 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

NEWLY ADDED: Makeup Coach Training Session- Wednesday, August 28th, 6-9. Register here.

  • The New Coach Training Session (required for new coaches):  Sunday, 8/18/24 from 2-5 PM; University Middle School; 330 Deloach Street
  • Pre-Season Coach Kickoff Meeting: Saturday, 8/24/2024 from 10:30 AM -12:00 PM, Hutchison School; 1740 Ridgeway Road
  • Season Dates:  Week of 9/1/2024 - Week of 11/10/2024
  • Coach Mid-Season Meeting: October 16th, Zoom from 7-8 PM
  • The end of season 5K date: Sunday, 11/10/24 - 2 PM Overton Park

Help transform and strengthen the next generation

23442,23443,23444

A Girls on the Run Coach and girl participant smiling at the camera wearing a pink 5K shirt

"I was a former GOTR girl in middle school. When I coach, I re-experience the lessons and it helps me grow even more. As a bonus, other young girls gain confidence and grow their own star power!"

Coach Reyna

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

"This was my first full season with GOTR Memphis and it was so wonderful to see the growth of the girls. It truly is a positive experience that gives the girls a chance to develop life skills that will be with them for years to come. I wish that I had the GOTR experience when I was young! Mia-Miracle I hear that you are doing great things with GOTR Memphis. Bravo!"

Coach Kathy

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

"One day I overheard one of our most shy girls saying, "Coming to practice and talking to everyone here is like my therapy group." A parent of another girl told us, "Presley always hated exercise and running...now she can't wait to come to practice!" By the end of the season, that girl was going on runs around her neighborhood and telling us about it."

Coach Patricia

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!

 

No. But here is our policy:

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

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.

Our council provides each program location with the curriculum and supplies needed to facilitate the season. We will contact coaches to arrange pick-up for their team’s materials.  

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.

Coach training is required for all new coaches. It includes online self-paced training and an in-person training session. 

Coach training will occur on Sunday, 8/18/24 from 2-5 PM; University Middle School; 330 Deloach Street

You must fill out a coach application in order to attend training. 

Coaches must attend and lead 75 to 90-minute practices twice per week for 10 weeks. To provide a consistent experience to participants, your commitment is crucial to prepare and collaborate with co-coaches to facilitate fun, successful lessons. Each season culminates with a team-led community project and celebratory 5K event.  

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. 

Practice times are typically set in the late afternoon/early evening hours between 3-5:30 PM (to accommodate participants after school). Teams may practice at designated parks, recreation and community centers, organizations and schools. The location and times are approved prior to participant registration each season. 

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. 

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.

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

GetInvolved

More ways to

get involved

Want to get involved with Girls on the Run, but can't commit to serving as a coach right now? We have opportunities for everyone!

Volunteer
Get involved with Girls on the Run

23448

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

Unlock Potential

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

Register
Smiling Girls on the Run participant hugging another smiling participant from behind
yellow heart

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!

Register
yellow heart yellow heart