The new year is the perfect time to reflect on goals, embrace opportunities for growth, and say yes to new and exciting challenges. Last year, I said yes to a new challenge: coaching a Girls on the Run team. I didn’t realize then that it would become one of the most fulfilling volunteer experiences I’ve ever had.
When I first signed up to be a coach with Girls on the Run Union County, I felt excited, but if I’m honest, I was nervous too. I’ve read countless coach testimonials, talked with coaches in my community, and learned about the many benefits that come with coaching a youth sports program. Yet, stepping into a coaching role for the first time still felt intimidating. I believe deeply in the Girls on the Run mission, but I couldn’t help but wonder if I would be confident enough to lead a group of 3rd- to 5th-grade girls?
Me and my GOTR Union County team ahead of the end-of-season 5K.
The next step in my coaching journey was to complete coach training. All Girls on the Run coaches participate in a nationally standardized training. This experience eased some of my initial nerves about how to best facilitate the lessons and lead my team. In fact, 96% of coaches say they felt they received sufficient training to implement the program effectively, and I agree! Sitting in National Coach Training (NCT) alongside other volunteers, many of them also first-time coaches, reminded me that I was capable and not alone.
Completing the online training modules ahead of time helped me feel prepared and familiar with the materials we’d use throughout the season. Connecting with the other coaches showed me that I wasn’t expected to know everything. I just needed to show up, willing to open my heart and learn alongside the girls.
GOTR Union County coaches smiling after a day of National Coach Training.
Before our first practice began, nerves set in. I was still getting familiar with our first lesson as takeaways from the training ran through my head. I needed to figure out how to balance structure with fun while also finding my voice as a coach.
The first half of the season was about understanding my role as a coach. I had the guidance of an experienced co-coach — a former teacher and GOTR coach — and a Junior Coach, both of whom were a great support system in moments of uncertainty. But I still wondered where I fit in.
The team and I were building a new routine, practicing skills from the curriculum, and learning to trust one another. There were awkward moments that brought back my nerves. With such an impressionable age group, I wanted to get it right. However, there were also small but mighty wins, like girls raising their hands to share for the first time, a group discussion that fostered new connections among team members, or a lesson takeaway that finally clicked. Each practice chipped away at the nerves and replaced them with confidence.
At the halfway mark, everything started to shift. With continued support from our council (which 95% of coaches reported feeling was available to them throughout the season) and encouragement from fellow coaches, I realized how much the girls and I had grown. The lessons began to feel more natural to lead, and I could start to see the activities resonate with the team. Watching the girls empower one another with the skills they were learning was incredibly inspiring. That midpoint felt like a breakthrough for all of us.
The second half of the season brought new challenges and opportunities. Girls started sharing stories about using GOTR skills outside of practice, and we trained hard for the end-of-season 5K. I felt confident they could do hard things and finish strong.
On 5K day, I learned I’d be on the course by their sides — something that I did not expect! When I was handed a bib, I took a deep breath, embraced my strengths, and remained resilient, just like the girls.
Running (and walking) the 5K brought every lesson full circle. Overcoming obstacles. Setting goals. Believing in oneself when things feel hard. With each stride, those words took on new meaning. Cheering on the girls as they ran past me filled me with a sense of pride and brought on emotions I didn’t anticipate. Their joyful faces reminded me that this experience is about so much more than running.
GOTR Union County team members pose with a teacher’s marathon medals at their end-of-season celebration.
Looking back, it’s hard to believe how nervous I felt at the beginning of the season. What once felt unfamiliar now feels second nature. Coaching taught me just as much as I taught the girls about leadership, confidence, and having a Bold Heart. Many coaches agree: 98% say Girls on the Run was a valuable experience for them, and 74% say volunteering for GOTR boosts their confidence.
I also learned you don’t need to be the loudest voice or the most experienced person in the room to make an impact. You just need to show up, care, and listen.
If I could talk to my day-one, nervous self, I’d tell her to trust the process. The confidence will come naturally throughout the season with the support you are provided through NCT, council resources, and from witnessing the progress within your team. Girls on the Run meets you where you are and helps you every step of the way, making coaching such a rewarding experience.
Are you ready to make an impact in your community this year? Find your local council and sign up to be a GOTR coach!
