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. 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.

 

Coach Registration is now OPEN for the Fall 2019 season! 

Step 1:
Site Liaisons, Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Practice Partner Coaches must all sign up by August 18.

Step 2:

-New Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Site Liaisons as well as Returning Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Site Liaisons (unless you attended a training in the fall 2016 - spring 2019 seasons) must attend Coach training in order to maintain those roles.
-Practice Partner Coaches are not required to attend training, but may do so if desired. The more trained coaches you have, the more girls you are able to accommodate at your site.

Fall 2019 Coach Training Dates:

  1. Tuesday, August 6 from 5:15 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Washington University Program in Physical Therapy (4444 Forest Park Ave, St. Louis, Missouri 63110)
  2. Saturday, August 17 from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at SLU Chaifetz Arena (1 S. Compton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103)
  3. Saturday, August 24 from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Location TBD
  4. Sunday, August 25 from 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. at Ursuline Academy (341 Sappington Rd, St. Louis, Missouri 63122)

Step 3:

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:
At least one person at every practice must be CPR certified. See CPR resources below.

Note: For our purposes, Practice Partners are considered "Coaches" as well as Head and Assistant Coaches and Site Liaisons. In areas where we provide instructions or information to Coaches, we are including Practice Partners in that group.

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.

CPR Certification

At least 1 coach at every practice must have CPR certification and have First Aid knowledge. Often this is fulfilled by the Head Coach.

CPR Certification Options:

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

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