Become a Coach

Girls on the Run St. Louis is a volunteer-based organization. Our program is possible because of the amazing volunteers who donate their time and talent, and provide invaluable support to empower girls across the St. Louis Metropolitan area for a lifetime of healthy living.
 
Volunteer coaches work directly with 3rd – 8th grade girls to deliver the Girls on the Run and Heart & Sole programs at a specific site. Coaches lead the girls through fun and active lessons while helping them prepare for the Girls on the Run 5k event at the end of the season.
 
 
This year has brought unique challenges and opportunities to the world as a whole and to our Girls on the Run community. We are committed to bringing a full season of uninterrupted social-emotional learning to the communities we serve and are looking for coaches to join us in this work! To learn more about the Spring 2021 season and how we are adapting to the needs of our communities through programming that can smoothly transition from in-person to virtual, or can be done completely virtual, please check out this page.
 
Our hope is that by signing up to coach this season you will commit to coaching the entire season, regardless of the mode of delivery. The powerful impact that a supportive, positive, and consistent role model can make in the course of one season with a team of girls is incredible. That's YOU, coach! Thank you for your interest in empowering girls in our community this spring!
 

Coach Registration is open now until March 15th.

Contact info@gotrstl.org with any questions.

Step 1: Register!

Site Liaisons, Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Practice Partner Coaches must all register to coach.

Step 2: Complete Coach Training

Spring 2021: All Coach Training will be completed via online modules. These trainings can be completed at your own pace, but must be done by March 15th. 

Coach training modules will be available on GOTR Learning Academy. You will be emailed access information in early January.

NEW coaches:

  • National Coach Training (for any new coach or returning coach trained prior to Fall 2016)
  • Best Practices for Virtual Facilitation 
  • COVID-19 related topics including social distancing guidelines and the impact of COVID-19 on our girls 
  • Council-specific Policies and Procedures 

RETURNING coaches:

  • Best Practices for Virtual Facilitation 
  • COVID-19 related topics including social distancing guidelines and the impact of COVID-19 on our girls
  • Council-specific Policies and Procedures 

All Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches, and Site Liaisons must complete Coach Training. 

Practice Partner Coaches are not required to complete training, but may do so if desired. The more trained coaches you have, the more girls you are able to accommodate at your site.

Step 3: Complete a Background Check

ALL coaches must have completed a background check on file before the season begins.  If you have not had a background check through our system in the past two years, you will receive an email requesting that you complete one at this time. 

Step 4: Get CPR Certified 

At least 1 coach at every practice must have CPR certification and have First Aid knowledge. Often this is fulfilled by the Head Coach. 
(Virtual-only sites are not required to have a CPR certified coach.)

CPR Certification Resources:

CPR Plus LLC - call 314-313-5980 to learn about available class dates and locations

Volunteer Coach Positions

Coach Role Requirements Responsibilities
Site Liasion
(1/site)		 woman or man; at least 21 years old; background check; NEW: attend new coaches training; RETURNING: complete online refresher serves as primary contact and connection with GOTR staff and site, coordinates practice spaces and distribution of materials
Head Coach
(max of 2/team)		 woman; at least 21 years old; background check; attend practice 1-2 times/week; NEW: attend new coaches training; RETURNING: complete online refresher serves as primary facilitator of GOTR/H&S curriculum; works closely with GOTR staff; leads the organizing of the practice 5k, service project, 5k event and the end-of-season celebration
Assistant Coach woman or man; at least 18 years old; background check; attend practice 1-2 times/week; NEW: attend new coaches training; RETURNING: complete online refresher serves as assistant to the head coach; helps facilitate the GOTR/H&S program; assists with the practice 5k, community service project, 5k event and the end-of-season celebration
Practice Partner Coach
(max of 4/team)		 woman or man; high school age or older; background check; attend practice at least 1 time/week serves as support to GOTR head and assistant coaches; provides encouragement to all participants; helps with the practice 5k, service project, 5k event and the end-of-season celebration

A detailed version of the matrix above can be found here.

If you still have questions about becoming a coach, please visit our FAQ section.