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.

Spring 2020 Coach Registration is now OPEN!

Step 1: Register!

Site Liaisons, Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Practice Partner Coaches must all register to coach by February 9th.

Step 2: Attend a Coach Training Session

All Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches, and Site Liaisons must complete Coach Training. If you attended a Coach Training session during or after the Fall 2016 season, you do not need to attend again.

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.

Spring 2020 Training Dates:

  1. Saturday, February 1st from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at SLU Chaifetz Arena (1 S. Compton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103)
  2. Tuesday, February 4th from 5:15 p.m. -9:00 p.m. at Washington University Program in Physical Therapy (4444 Forest Park Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108)
  3. Saturday, February 8th from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at YMCA Carondelet (930 Holly Hills Ave, St. Louis, MO 63111)
  4. Sunday, February 16th from 12:30 p.m. -4:30 p.m. at Ursuline Academy (341 Sappington Rd, St. Louis, MO 63122)

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.

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.