(First Tee National: Level 1 Coach Training Recap Published 4/02/2026) On March 7th, First Tee – Silicon Valley had 8 coaches participate in a Level 1 coach training. The Level 1 training is one of four First Tee National trainings that make up the First Tee Coach Program – educational training that prepares First Tee coaches from around the country to effectively deliver the First Tee’s Life Skills and Golf Skills Curriculum.
Level 1 training is done locally, and Levels 2, 3, and 4 are held at different locations around the country. FTSV Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt and FTSV Program Coordinator, Manny Gallardo are both trained to deliver the Level 1 training for First Tee – Silicon Valley as Level 4 certified coaches and as long-time program staff – over 25 years combined.
The Training Program is primarily focused on creating experiences for coaches to learn the application of the Coach Building Blocks – Activity-Based, Mastery Driven, Empowering Youth, and Continuous Learning. Coach Chris and Manny delivered the Coach Building Block theories and best practices to the attendees who then had the opportunity to apply what they learned by delivering the lessons to each other.
“Coaching is a never-ending learning process,” says Chris Moreno-Hunt. “That’s what makes coaching fun. Each class and participant requires coaches to adapt and apply a structured framework. The Level 1 training provides both. We explore research-based coaching principles while also practicing techniques to meet kids where they are.”
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