Colorful graphic with the words "JUNIOR COACH" in bold white letters outlined in dark blue, set against a purple background with yellow stars and a stylized blue and black whistle.

Becoming a Junior Coach with Girls in Gear is a meaningful and exciting way for girls ages 13-17 to build leadership skills while empowering younger riders! Junior Coaches play a key role in fostering a supportive and confidence-building environment for participants.

As a Junior Coach, you'll be paired with experienced coaches who will mentor and support you throughout the season. You’ll help facilitate activities, encourage participants, and serve as a role model for younger girls, all while gaining valuable experience in teamwork, communication, and leadership.

Photo collage of two images featuring young girls with helmets. The left image shows a woman and two girls with pink and red bicycles under a modern bridge. The right image shows four girls in outdoor park, three with pink, white, and unicorn helmets, smiling and hugging.

As a Junior Coach, you’ll…

  • Assist co-coaches in leading sessions and fostering a positive, supportive team environment.

  • Work closely with a mentor coach, embracing feedback to strengthen your leadership skills.

  • Participate in games and group riders with your team, encouraging everyone to do their best.

Two children with bikes and helmets outdoors, one on a paved area and the other on a wooded path near a lake

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • No! Our coaching team includes people of all gender identities. We welcome anyone who is passionate about empowering girls through biking and building their confidence on and off the bike. If you believe in our mission and want to make a difference, we encourage you to join us!

  • If you have a bike, we encourage you to bring it! Having your own bike allows you to ride alongside participants and demonstrate skills. However, if you don’t have a bike, let us know - we’ll do our best to provide one for you.

  • Absolutely not! In our book, if you ride a bike, you’re a cyclist. You don’t need to be a competitive rider or have advanced skills. What matters most is your enthusiasm, your willingness to encourage participants, and your ability to create a supportive environment.

  • While not every coach is required to have CPR and First Aid certification, at least one certified coach must be present at every practice. Each team must have a coach with a valid certification on file before the first session of the season. If you are certified or interested in becoming certified, let us know!

    Each meetup is a mix of conversations, games, dancing, laughing, and reflection in addition to biking.

  • Nope! We provide a structured curriculum for each program, including detailed lesson plans that outline activities, discussion topics, and skill-building exercises. Your role as a coach is to bring the lessons to life, adapt them as needed for your team, and create a positive experience for participants.

  • The time commitment depends on the program you choose to coach:

    • Pedal Power: Coaches commit to an eight-week season with weekly 90-minute sessions.

    • Glide-to-Ride: Coaches volunteer for individual clinics, each lasting about two hours.

    • Camp GiG: Coaches are paid to lead five half-day or full-day sessions at a time during the summer.

  • Junior Coaches are volunteers between the ages of 13-17 who support the team while gaining leadership experience. They work alongside adult coaches, helping facilitate activities and serve as role models for younger participants. Junior Coaches complete an application and training before the season begins.

  • Yes! When you sign up, you’ll have the opportunity to indicate your preferred coaching location. If you’re open to coaching anywhere, we’ll place you where your help is needed most.