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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Two smiling Girls on the Run coaches holding participant
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Girls on the Run coach handing certificate to participant
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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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What Our Coaches Say

“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.”

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Requirements

  • You must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Complete our Coach Registration form
  • Consent to and complete a background check.
  • Obtain a CPR/First Aid certification & upload a copy of before the first practice.
  • Coaches must be available after-school hours, typically between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM. 
  • Our 10 week programs meet twice a week, after school for an hour and a half. Coaches are expected to attend every session.
  • All New coaches must attend one of the in-person training sessions offered for the season, as well as complete online coursework via the GOTR Learning Academy prior to training. The total time investment of training is approximately 6-8 hours. 
  • Seasons run in the spring (March – May) and fall (September – November).

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

Spring 2024 information:

Not sure where to coach? See our list of current Coaches' Needed!

Looking for the Coaches' Corner? Access it via the website footer anytime. Coaches will receive a login and password via email. Email [email protected] if you did not receive it.

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, we ask that all coaches become CPR and First Aid certified by the first session of any given season. Certification can be obtained through American Red Cross or another reputable organization. Please upload certificates before the start of the season.

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.

Coach placement is on-going during key months leading up to the season. 

  • Spring Coach placement happens in November, December, January, and February.
  • Fall Coach placement happens in May, June, July and August.

During those months, the Coaches Needed map is updated regularly to show current sites in need of community 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. Coaches typically pick up their materials from one of our training events, but may also contact staff to arrange a different time/location to get their coach bag.

Coach training includes online self-paced training and an in-person training session. We will provide more information about coach training before the season begins. Dates will be announced via the News section on our website.

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. 

Teams may practice at schools, designated parks, recreation and community centers. The location and times are approved prior to participant registration each season. Practice times are typically after school (from anywhere between 2:30 PM and 5:00 PM). Times for each site are listed on the Our Locations page.

Please let us know where you'd like to coach on your coach application. If you are affiliated with a school (parent, teacher, staff, etc..), we will assign you to that location.

 

If you are not affiliated with a school, Girls on the Run staff will work with you to help determine the best placement for you.There is a section of the application to indicate your preferred neighborhood and times.

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

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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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