Thank you to the 71 coaches who attended the mentor training. FTSV recently completed the quarterly off-season mentor training for Instructors and Volunteer Coaches. Based on feedback and challenges from the season, the training is tailored to facilitate growth in the returning coaches and bring the new coaches quickly up to speed.
New Mentor Training
Because so many amazing people have joined FTSV to mentor and coach, the quarterly trainings split coaches into a Returning Group and New Group. In the New Coach training, Program Coordinators review the mission of FTSV – to build character and help youth succeed in life – and go through the curriculum with the volunteers. Every week, coaches are teaching a Life Skill, a Golf Cue, and a Golf Ready, and it’s important that everyone knows how these are all connected. Next, volunteers are introduced to games, learning how and why the games are structured and adapted to fit the weeks lessons. FTSV uses specific techniques to change games so there is a seamless integration of that week’s Life Skill and Golf Cue into the fun and exciting activity. After completing this training, volunteers have the skills and the tools necessary to mentor and make an impact on our kids!
Returning Mentor Training
In the Retuning Coach training, feedback is used to design specific review points, allowing FTSV coaches to use their challenges and experiences from the previous season to grow as mentors. In this training, Coaches reviewed Two Rights Make a Right. This is a strategy where coaches provide two positive options for students struggling with their behavior instead of removing them from the learning. They also practiced asking participants “What’s Your Plan?”, a way for coaches to encourage participants to think through their actions and make thoughtful choices. Lastly, the Returning Coaches spent time on the driving range, working on their delivery of the golf cues so that participants will receive similar feedback across classes. Together this training helps the awesome volunteers use the challenges from last season and make themselves more capable and confident going into their next season.
Being a volunteer mentor
The FTSV volunteer coaches are the backbone of our program, and the quarterly trainings use everyone’s unique experiences for the group benefit. When challenges arise, First Tee coaches push themselves to continue learning, to keep a positive growth mindset, and to strive to be the best mentor they can be. From everyone in the FTSV office, thank you very much to all our amazing coaches!
Join our team, learn/develop coaching skills, make a difference in the youth, and give back to the community! Please help us spread the word. The more positive and dedicated coaches, the better the program, and the more impactful it is for our youth.
Read More about becoming a coach and mentor. Download the volunteer brochure HERE.
Published: 4-10-2024