Tag: Coach training

FSTV Trainings for Adult & Junior Coaches

(FSTV Trainings for Adult & Junior Coaches Published 4/2/2026) Each off-season, FTSV hosts a training for our Instructors (paid) and Volunteer Coaches. These trainings take place the weekend before each season begins and offer both new and returning coaches and volunteers alike the opportunity to expand their coaching techniques and grow as leaders within FTSV. Our instructor training usually takes place in the morning, and our volunteer training occurs in the afternoon.

However, this past season we tried a new approach, one where we combined the instructors with the adult volunteers in one training session on Saturday, March 14th. The goal was to have our coaches meet each other and build new connections. We are fortunate to have over 230 coaches, but when they sign up for a class, they are together with their same small cohort for the 8-week season and often do not get to meet many of our other coaches. This training brought close to 60 of our adult coaches together and created opportunities for them to learn from each other.

The first section of the training highlighted our volunteer coach of the year, Alex Wrobel.

The second section focused on developing conversational skills and how to be effective listeners. The third section focused on how to seamlessly integrate our life skills into activities. The last section was a lunch where everyone spent time connecting.

FTSV is about teaching life skills and positive character through golf. We bring this same philosophy to our coaches. Our quarterly trainings are based on the four main building blocks of First Tee chapters nationwide (Empowering Youth, Mastery Driven, Activity Based, and Continuous Learning) taking a deep dive into each building block. The goal is to give coaches practice with specific coaching techniques that we learn from partner organizations like Positive Coaching Alliance and the Search Institute as well as from other outside research-based sources.

“We are fortunate to have so many great people coaching our youth,” says FTSV Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt. “We hope that trainings like this one provide everyone with feeling like they are a part of something meaningful and big.”

FTSV coaches are the backbone of our program. They are the mentors that guide our participants and help them feel welcomed. We want them to always be learning and feel empowered to help others, which is why we ask our coaches to attend all 4 coach trainings each year.  From everyone in the FTSV office, thank you very much to all our amazing coaches!

FSTV Junior Volunteer Coach Training

On March 14th, FTSV hosted a Junior Volunteer coach training at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course. The goal was to tailor the training for our high school volunteers by tying in the curriculum from our Ace – Give Back class.

We had over 135 junior volunteers in 2025. Most of them were/are FTSV participants who looked up to their junior coach when they were younger. Now that they are in high school, they are excited that it is their turn to give back and inspire the younger generation.

The training gave coaches various tools to be successful in leading our participants. We focused on professionalism as it relates to body language, tone, and engagement. Then we covered how to go above and beyond in their coach planning and preparation. Lastly, we explored the differences between mentoring and friendship.

“Coaching is about giving back, but it is also a great tool for personal development. We are thrilled to have so many junior coaches on this journey. We could not do what we do without our large team of junior coaches. We hope that coaching is giving them a skill set that will assist them in their future careers.” – FTSV Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt.

From everyone in the FTSV office, thank you very much to all our amazing coaches!

To find out more about how to be a FTSV Coach, please click here. Please tell a friend, colleague, or family member that we are looking for positive and dedicated coaches.

First Tee Level I Coach Training Recap

(First Tee Level I Coach Training Recap) On March 8th, First Tee – Silicon Valley had 12 coaches participate in a Level I coach training. The Level I training is one of four First Tee National trainings that make up the First Tee Coach Program. The Coach Program is an educational training program that prepares First Tee coaches from around the country to effectively deliver the First Tee’s Life and Golf Skill Curriculum.

Level I training is done locally, and Levels 2, 3, and 4 are held at different locations around the country. Coach Chris and Coach Manny are both trained to deliver the Level I 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.

“In coaching, we never stop learning,” says FTSV Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt. “Every class and every participant are different. The more we can practice best coaching techniques, the better we are at adapting to each individual and each class situation. That is why we have more than four First Tee – Silicon Valley trainings each year in addition to the National Coach Program that is offered by First Tee Headquarters. The more prepared we are, the better the experience for the participants.”

To learn more about becoming a coach and building your coach skill set, please visit our volunteer page, or reach out to [email protected], 408-508-4884

Published: 04-03-2025

FTSV Trainings for Instructors and Volunteer Coaches

FTSV recently completed our quarterly, off-season coach trainings for First Tee – Silicon Valley Instructors and Volunteer Coaches. The trainings are tailored to facilitate growth in our coaches and expand on their coaching techniques. Thank you to the 23 paid coaches who attended the instructor training and the 55 volunteer coaches who attended the mentor training.

First Tee has 4 coaching building blocks

Empowering Youth, Mastery Driven, Activity Based, and Continuous Learning – that coaches around the country are exposed to through national trainings.  At our local Instructor training we dive into the details of those building blocks and build upon our coaching techniques that are based on research and partnerships with established organizations like Positive Coaching Alliance and The Search Institute.   

Our mentor training, held later in the day, provided our volunteers with specific coach framework that is rooted in the Activity-Based coach building block and provides coaching tips for each section of our classes. At the conclusion of this particular mentor training, we celebrated one of our volunteer coaches, Norah Yang, for her win at the First Tee National Championship this past summer.

Coaching is an ongoing journey of self-exploration and personal development, which is why we ask our coaches to attend all 4 coach trainings each year.  It is also why we consistently identify and incorporate fresh and proven coaching tips that reinforce our coach approach and curriculum into each training.

FTSV coaches are the backbone of our program. They are the mentors that guide our participants and help them feel welcomed. We want them to always be learning and feel empowered to help others. Hopefully our trainings are accomplishing that goal. From everyone in the FTSV office, thank you very much to all our amazing coaches!

To find out more about how to be a FTSV Coach, please click here.

Instructor Training

Mentor Training

Published: 09-12-2024

11 Coaches participate in Level 1 Training

On March 2nd, First Tee – Silicon Valley had 11 coaches participate in a Level I coach training. The Level I training is one of three First Tee National trainings that make up the First Tee Coach Program. The Coach Program is an educational training program that prepares First Tee coaches from around the country to deliver the First Tee’s Life and Golf Skill Curriculum.

Level I training is done locally, and Levels 2 and 3 are held at different locations around the country. Coach Chris and Coach Manny are both trained to deliver the Level I training for First Tee – Silicon Valley as Level 3 certified coaches and as long-time program staff – over 20 years combined!

The Coach Building Blocks

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. Coaches 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.

“One of our goals is for coaches and participants to be continuously absorbing and applying newly acquired skills,” says FTSV Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt. “In coaching, we never stop learning. Every class and every participant are different. The more skills we can build, the more we can adapt to each individual and each class situation. That is why we have more than four First Tee – Silicon Valley trainings each year in addition to the National Coach Program that is offered by First Tee Headquarters. The more prepared we are, the better the experience for the participants.”

Want to become a coach?

To learn more about becoming a coach and building your coach skill set, please visit our volunteer page, or reach out to [email protected], 408-508-4884

Published: 4-10-2024