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.

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Two smiling Girls on the Run coaches holding participant
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Girls on the run coach holding sign reading intuitive
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Smiling Girls on the Run coach and participant

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“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 Application - Fall 2024 application to open mid-July.
  • Consent to and complete a background check (Paid by Girls on the Run NYC).
  • Attend a required, in-person Coach Training and complete online learning modules.
  • Commit to the season’s practice schedule, which is two times per week for 10 weeks - weekly commitment of ~4 hrs.
  • Attend a pre-season meeting with your site's coaching team.
  • Coaches should not be absent for more than two sessions during a season. Successful implementation of the program requires coaches to be present and engaged at practice each week.

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 to the entire season, including practices and end-of-season 5K event.
  • Facilitate communication with parents/guardians of program participants. 

Season Details

  • The Spring 2024 Season will launch mid-March, with a three-week rolling start from:
    • Week of March 11
    • Week of March 18
    • Week of March 25
  • Girls on the Run NYC 5K Celebration Event: Sunday, June 2

New Coach Info Sessions

  • Fall 2024 Season - To begin mid-July

New Coach Training Dates

  • Saturday, February 24, Future Leaders Institute (Harlem) from 11:00am - 2:00pm
  • Thursday, March 7, Pier 57 (Chelsea) from 4:30pm - 7:30pm
  • Sunday, March 10, GOTR NYC Office (DUMBO) from 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Our Commitment to Coach Recruitment

  • At Girl on the Run, we strive to ensure coaches are representative of the communities we serve. We encourage people of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, and abilities to apply to coach.

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!

 

You! GOTR is dedicated to training volunteers to understand social context, create positive inclusive environments, and build genuine relationships. We strive for our volunteers to represent the diverse and vibrant communities we work with. We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds, ages and abilities, including Black, African, Asian, Indigenous, Latinx folks with various speech, physical and learning abilities, and LGBTQ-identified folks. We welcome coaches of all gender identities, including non-binary, gender fluid, and gender-expansive volunteers.

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.

Nope! Every team has 2-4 GOTR-trained coaches that work together to lead their team of girls through the season. 

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.

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. 

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.  

The Site Liaison role is the person who will serve as the main point of contact between the GOTR staff and your site. This person can be a coach who also attends practices or someone who serves solely in the Site Liaison role.

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. Placement discussions are hosted by GOTR staff with new coaches to help determine your coach placement for the season.

You're not missing anything! Many of our sites are waiting to hear more about school plans and other commitments before they finalize practice days/times. If you have specific availability notes we should be aware of when assigning coaching, please indicate them in your coach application and we'll do our best to accommodate your preferences. Thank you!

Absolutely! The more, the merrier! Each Girls on the Run team is led, on average, by two to four trained coaches. 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.

We would love to hear from you! Feel free to contact our program team at program@gotrnyc.org with coaching questions.

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

Thank you 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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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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