Coach Mentorship
Elite Coach Mentorship
"As we progress forward as coaches the importance of mentorship cannot be understated."
Over the past two decades, I’ve been actively involved in coaching education. Throughout this period, I’ve collaborated with coaches ranging from novices to those at the elite level, spanning various sports. I’ve consistently observed that as coaches enhance their skills, the need for mentorship becomes increasingly crucial for their progression.
The rationale behind this is straightforward: when we embark on coaching, obtaining knowledge is relatively straightforward, with courses, clinics, and experiential learning offering ample information for advancement. However, as we ascend to higher levels of expertise, we often find ourselves well-versed in course materials, making it challenging to address the smaller knowledge gaps essential for our continued development.
Upon my arrival in the USA, I recognized the pivotal role of mentorship in advancing elite coaches. Consequently, I established the inaugural mentorship programs for USA Triathlon. Even after my departure from USA Triathlon several years later, I continued to champion this initiative. To date, we have provided mentorship to over a quarter of all level 2 coaches in Triathlon here in the USA, and more than half of all USAT level 3 coaches have benefited from our program.
Justin Trolle – Director – Elite Coach Mentorship Program
"What does our current mentorship program offer, and how can you be certain it's good fit for you?"
Our mentorship program is divided into 3 key parts in order to maximize your yearling outcomes.
Monthly Presentations
Every month, we create at least two presentations for the Professional Coach Mentorship program. This amounts to a total of 24 distinct presentations annually, covering a variety of subjects crafted to challenge, enhance, and ignite knowledge in the selected areas.
These topics are delivered through the Endurance Coach Education website, granting you complete access. Alongside the presentations, you’ll receive testing and support materials, enabling you to seamlessly apply and implement what you’ve learned with your own athletes.
Group Coach Sessions
In coach development, a frequently overlooked aspect is the ability to learn from one another. While having a dedicated mentor is crucial for progress, the sense of community and experiential knowledge gained from discussions with fellow coaches is equally important. As part of our mentorship program, we convene with all participating coaches (ranging from Level 1 to Level 3) twice a month via Zoom.
These sessions serve as forums to delve into current hot topics, explore areas of interest, or simply address any questions coaches may have. Over the past few years of facilitating these sessions, they have proven invaluable for coach development, ensuring organic conversations rich in learning opportunities, with each coach often sharing insights in their areas of expertise.
One to One Sessions
Every month, each coach has the option to engage in two one-hour sessions with me via Zoom. These sessions can focus on topics initiated either by me as the mentor or by the coach, exploring specific areas of interest. These sessions serve as an optimal way to address knowledge gaps, enhance understanding of complex subjects, and delve into all facets of coaching and athlete training at a detailed level.
As part of this program, every coach enjoys unprecedented access to the elite athletes on my team. This includes the opportunity to have direct conversations with them, examine their programs within our one-on-one sessions, and access the data analysis I conduct for them via WKO. This proves particularly beneficial for coaches who may not currently work with elite or professional athletes, offering them essential skills required for dealing with athletes at this advanced level. For coaches aspiring to reach level 3 but uncertain about gaining a broader experience base, this aspect often becomes a crucial factor in their decision-making process.
I find great satisfaction in these sessions as they provide me with the chance to get to know each coach personally and assist them in navigating their path toward their vision of becoming a high performance coach.
Elite Coach Mentorship Program Testimonials
I’ve been mentoring under Justin for just over a year now. I have really gained invaluable experience from his approach on delivering a presentation.
His hands on approach to educate us and compare real live examples with his development athletes is instrumental in absorbing and applying these skills that we can share with our athletes. Justin’s style makes these virtual lessons seem like they are right in front of us without a barrier.
I highly recommend Justin if you want to take your professional development in sport to the next level.
Thomas A. Giannettino
– Roberts Wesleyan University NCAA women’s coach
– Cornell University Club men’s and women’s coach
– BEST Endurance Sports Coaching
USAT Level III Coach, Ironman Certified Coach
