Hey, coaches and mentors! You have the unique opportunity to positively impact the lives of girls in sport in ways that extend well beyond the playing field. How cool is that?!

When you think about why you became a coach or mentor, what was the reason behind it? Did you want to get involved within your community? Was it to set a good example for girls pursuing sport or physical activity? 

Here’s some food for thought: Only 34 percent of coaches are women at the grassroots level in Canada (Canadian Women in Sport).

This is why it’s important that girls in sport have positive influences (from coaches or mentors) so they can feel seen, safe, and supported. 

While being great in a particular sport is awesome, being able to teach it is a completely different story. In other words – do you have what it takes to be a great coach to girls in sport? 

One example of this is how our REAL Role Models interact with girls at our various events and programs throughout the year. Recently, I had the pleasure to watch some of our REAL Role Models teach local girls different techniques in various track and field activities. I got to see the camaraderie and spirit that exuded from everyone involved. I witnessed the passion from the role models and the spark that ignited within our girls. 

The key between being good from great? The role models were making genuine connections and tailoring their approach for each group of girls based on their age range. Even the parents and guardians watching from afar were impressed with how much their children were learning in a short timeframe!

When you can focus not just on physical abilities, but also on overall personal growth and development, you can help shape girls participating in sport into confident, resilient, and caring individuals who are equipped to succeed both in sport and in life!

With that in mind, what are some valuable techniques you can exhibit on and off the playing field?

Here are six essential tips to help you become a great coach and mentor!

Develop Genuine Connections

Building trust and rapport with girls in sport is foundational to your success as a coach or mentor. 

What can you do to build the trust of a newly-formed soccer team or aspiring track star?

Make the effort to actively listen to questions or concerns and ask questions in return to build and show genuine interest in their lives. This is important because you’re creating a safe, supportive environment where girls can feel safe and included in sport. 

For example, we recruit relatable, empowered, active leaders (REAL) Role Models to represent our mission and values while assisting in facilitating our in-depth programs and events. 

Through our evidence-based program curriculum, we address and break down barriers for girls’ sport participation, promote positive body image, and develop their confidence and leadership skills. 

When your participants know you truly care about them as a person first before their athletic ability, they’ll be more receptive to your guidance and more motivated to put in the hard work.

Focus on Holistic Growth

Effective coaching and mentorship isn’t just about honing physical skills —  it’s also about developing the whole person! 

Holistic well-being targets all areas of one’s self: physical, mental, emotion, and social. 

It’s no secret that sport and physical activity play a tremendous role in a person’s overall physical health; however, physical activity releases endorphins, which contribute to boosting mood, which also helps improve mental well-being. 

When girls participate in sport, your role as a coach or mentor can help them define positive values and skills in their activity, such as confidence and determination, that will serve them for years to come!

Tailor Your Approach

Everyone is unique, with individual needs and learning styles. That means what may work for one girl, doesn’t necessarily work for another. 

Recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach won’t work for an entire team of girls, you may want to consider adapting your coaching or mentoring style to offer the best level of support possible.  

For example, you can provide personalized feedback and guidance with a tailored approach so each girl can reach their full potential!

Nurture a Growth Mindset

Encouraging girls to focus on progress, effort, and improvement rather than just on results or natural talent is a healthy way of ensuring and measuring one’s success. 

Here’s a tip: avoid harsh criticism. Instead, provide constructive and actionable feedback that helps girls embrace challenges while also celebrating small wins!

Creating an environment where everyone feels safe to take risks and learn from their mistakes will be valuable to building a team that is confident in their individual abilities while collaborating to bring team effort to the next level!

Model Positive Behaviour

As a coach or mentor, you have the power to inspire your mentees through your actions. 

As the saying goes, “actions speak louder than words.” So, what are some easy ways to model positive behaviour? 

Demonstrate good values, attitudes, and behaviours you want to instil, such as integrity, sportsmanship, resilience, and a strong work ethic. 

Lead by example and you will soon reap the rewards! 

Continuing Your Coaching Development

Remember, your role as a coach or a mentor is a never-ending learning process. 

To be the best mentor you can be, consider staying up-to-date on best practices in coaching by attending any community training, reading different resources, and continuously seeking feedback from parents and guardians. 

Want to know how you can accelerate your mentorship skills within your community? Fast and Female offers comprehensive in-person and virtual events and programs for girls 8-20 across Canada. Relatable, empowered, active leaders (REAL) Role Models are the backbone of our organization – and we recruit many role models several times each year! 

Click here to learn more about this incredible opportunity today and join us to be a catalyst for change in the lives of girls coast to coast.

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Ally Garofalo, Communications Manager

Ally Garofalo is the Communications Manager at Fast and Female. With a background in journalism and over a decade in the marketing and communications space, Ally brings her creative insight to the team. She oversees Fast and Female’s digital communications and content strategy, including sharing thought leadership pieces that help broaden our mission and values.