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 quote

“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.”

<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

  • You must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Complete our Coach Commitment Form
  • Consent to and complete a background check. Click here to complete the online form. Background checks are valid for two years. 
  • New coaches attend one day in person coach traing and finish on line coach training modules. 
  • Commit to the season’s practice schedule, which is two times per week after school  
  • Become CPR certified. Classes are offered through many local fire stations, hospitals and health clubs. Click here to see a list of local CPR providers. Find a class that works for you. Email a copy of your CPR card to kpatel@gotrnwil.org 
  • Attend/View a 5K Day info session
  • Be kind and be your real self with the girls at all times.
  • Above all have fun!

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, organize, 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.
  • Attend the Girls on the Run 5K.
  • Plan and coordinate your team's end of the season party for last lesson.

Season Details

January 24 - 10:00am Online Registration goes live

February 20 - Online Registration ends for teams that are full

February 28 - Coach Box Pick up 12pm-6pm or February 29 7:30am-2pm. Open house format at GOTR office.

Week of March 4 - 2024 SEASON BEGINS. No practice Spring Break

May 18, Sat - 5K for DeKalb & Rockford

May 19, Sun - 5K for McHenry, Boone & Kane Co.

May 22 - Coach Box Replenish 2pm-6pm or May 23 - Coach Box Replenish 7:30am-2pm. Open house format at GOTR office. 

 

Training dates for new coaches. New coaches only need to attend one session.

Feb 6, Tues 10:30a–2:30p, Crystal Lake

Feb 8, Thurs 4:30-8:30p, DeKalb

Feb 13, Tues 4:30-8:30p, Rockford

Feb 21, Wed 4:30-8:30p, Crystal Lake

Feb 24, Sat 9:30a–1:30p, Crystal Lake

Help transform and strengthen the next generation

5255,5256,5257

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

True

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.
  • All other coaches must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Junior Coaches must be at least 16 years of age and female.

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.

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.  

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. See season details on coach page above.

Coaches must attend and lead 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 designated parks, recreation and community centers, homes and schools. The location and times are approved prior to participant registration each season. Practice times are typically set in the late afternoon/early evening hours (to accommodate participants after school). 

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.

Our middle school program, Heart & Sole, is designed to get girls talking.  Heart & Sole creates a positive, structured space for middle school girls to learn about themselves, explore new ideas, cultivate empathy, strengthen connections and develop skills that will help them as they move through adolescence and beyond.  For this reason Heart & Sole teams are best if facilitated by teachers, social workers or professional counselors.  As you can imagine, middle school girls may feel awkward having parents as coaches.

Absolutely!  We have a Subtitutes Coach Program to support our GOTR full time coaches if they have to miss a practice. We ask that coaches miss no more than 4 practices during the season.
 

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

76150

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