Junior Coach

Serving as a Junior Coach is a fun and rewarding way to get involved with Girls on the Run! This volunteer position is for high school girls aged 16-18 years old who want to grow their leadership skills. Paired with a Mentor Coach, Junior Coaches receive support to develop their own skills while serving as role models to program participants.

Lilia, animatrice junior

“GOTRVT welcomes junior coaches that are at least 2 grades ahead of the oldest participants on their team. Junior coaches are an incredible addition to coach teams, both for the participants and for their fellow coaches.”

<ul> <li>Avoir de 16 à 18 ans (à l’école secondaire)</li> <li>S’identifier comme étant une fille</li> <li>Retourner les référ

Requirements

Be 2 years older than the oldest participant in GOTR or Heart & Sole
Complete background check (if 18 years old)
Complete coach application (New Coach form, Return Coach form)
Complete online and in-person training
Consistently attend practice (minimum of once per week)
Commit 1.5-3 hours of time each week of program

**Junior Coach positions for teams may be dependent upon host site policies**

Core Duties and Responsibilities

There are three core duties to serve as a Junior Coach, and they each come with responsibilities.

Junior Coaches must serve as role models.
- Understand and believe in the mission and vision of Girls on the Run
- Represent themself, the Junior Coach program and Girls on the Run in a responsible, respectful manner both during and outside of the program (including on social media)
- Serve as positive role models on their team in their words and actions
- Commit to fully engage in sessions with participants and coaches
Junior Coaches must foster a positive, inclusive environment.
- Build relationships with and between teammates
- Encourage and motivate participants
- Participate in games and workouts with the team, encouraging everyone to give their best effort
Junior Coaches must develop their leadership skills.
- Lead activities and lessons from the Girls on the Run curriculum
- Support co-coaches as they lead activities from the curriculum
- Collaborate coaches to receive and act on constructive feedback

Season Details

Season Details

Spring 2024 Coach Registration

Open now!

Season start date

Week of March 18, 2024

In-person training option 1

Sat 2/3 - Brattleboro Area Middle

In-person training option 2

Sun 2/4 - Castleton University

In-person training option 3

Sat 2/11 - Essex Middle School

5K dates

Sat. 6/1 Essex;Sat. 6/8 Manchester

A Girls on the Run team sits in a circle and is laughing

Serve as role model and leader for the next generation.

Junior Coach Interest Form

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of junior coaches?

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.

Why are coaches important?

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.

Are coaches all female?

Junior coaches must identify as female. But here is our policy:

At least one female coach over the age of 21 must be present at all times.
Our Head Coach must be female.
All other coaches and assistant coaches must be at least 18 years of age.
Junior Coaches must be at least 16 years of age and female.

Do I need to be a runner or athlete to be a junior coach?

No! Girls on the Run Vermont 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 junior coaches and coaches participate in their first 5K alongside their team!

I am not affiliated with a school or community center where the program occurs, can I still be a junior coach?

Yes! Junior coaches are placed according to their geographic location and their availability at sites that need additional coaches.

Can I serve as a Junior Coach on a team with a friend or family member?

Absolutely! The more, the merrier! Each Girls on the Run or Heart & Sole team is led by at least three trained coaches, and sometimes a Junior Coach. If you would like to coach at an existing site with another applicant (such as a caregiver or friend), please mention this in your application and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Do I need to be CPR and First Aid certified?

A minimum of one coach per team must have CPR and First Aid certification on file by the first session of any given season. A CPR/FA certified coach must be present at every practice. It is not the expectation that junior coaches are CPR/FA certified, but know a coach they work alongside will be.

When and where is junior coach training?

We are committed to ensuring our volunteer junior coaches feel comfortable, confident and supported in leading a successful season of Girls on the Run or Heart & Sole. Coach training includes online self-paced training and an in-person training session.

First time GOTR and Heart & Sole junior coaches complete GOTRVT's in person National Coach Training developed by GOTR International and comprehensive self-paced online modules through GOTR's Learning Academy.
Returning junior coaches receive select online modules through GOTR's Learning Academy to continue meeting the evolving needs of our participants. They are expected to join GOTRVT for our return coach orientation.
We will provide more information about coach training before the season begins.

Do I need to come up with lesson plans or workouts?

No! We provide you with training, curriculum and supplies – everything needed to coach a safe, successful season! As a Junior Coach, you will receive guidance from the team’s coaches, too.

When and how will I get my junior coaching materials?

Our council provides each program location with the curriculum and supplies needed to facilitate the season. We distribute each team's shared coach bag at our pre-season coach training events.

When is the program offered and how long is the season?

We host a spring season in Vermont. Our spring season typically begins in late March. For 2024, our practices start the week of March 18. The program sessions occur twice a week over a 10 week period (20 lessons) with a culminating 5K Celebration in early June. It is extremely important that the participants in our program have consistent, committed role models who can volunteer their time for our entire season.

What days and times does the program meet?

Each group meets twice weekly for 10 weeks (20 sessions, plus the culminating 5K Celebration). Practices are 90 minutes and are generally held after school with specific times varying by site. Coaches determine their own team's meeting schedule based on personal availablity and facility access. Practice schedules are not based on what day/time practice was held in the previous season.

What is the time commitment of junior coaching?

To provide a consistent experience to participants, your commitment is crucial to prepare and collaborate with co-coaches to facilitate fun, successful lessons. Each practice is 90 minutes and the team meets twice a week. The season lasts 10 weeks and culminates with a celebratory 5K event.

During the program season, junior coaches should expect to volunteer an average of 1.5-3 hours per week. This includes 1-2 practices a week and some time spent reviewing/preparing for the lessons.

When and where are practices held?

Teams may practice at local schools, parks or recreation and community centers. The location and times are approved prior to participant registration each season. Practice times are typically set after school. Teams do not meet when the host school or site is closed (ex. school break).

Can I choose where I serve as a Junior Coach?

You will be asked to indicate where you would like to coach on your coach registration form. If you do not have a preference, you will be asked to share your preferred communities or commuting distance and we will match you with a local team in need of volunteers.

Merci d’envisager d’accepter le rôle vital d’animatrice junior 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 c

Thanks for considering the vital role of serving as a volunteer junior coach for Girls on the Run Vermont. If you still have questions, please contact us at: info@girlsontherunvermont.org.

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