Mentorship Programme
Long-term support for coaches who want to grow with clarity and confidence
Coaching development does not happen through isolated sessions or one-off inspiration. It happens over time, through reflection, feedback, and support that is grounded in your own coaching environment.
Our Mentorship Programme is designed for coaches who want to develop professionally, strengthen their decision-making, and build sustainable coaching practices that benefit both players and teams.
Why mentorship matters in coaching development
Many coaches attend courses, listen to presentations, and collect ideas — but still struggle to translate that knowledge into consistent, high-quality coaching practice.
Common challenges include:
Uncertainty around session planning and progression
Difficulty adapting content to mixed-ability groups
Lack of feedback on one’s own coaching behaviour
Limited opportunities for reflection and discussion
Feeling isolated in decision-making
Mentorship addresses these challenges by providing ongoing, contextual support, rather than abstract instruction
Who This Programme is for
Grassroots & youth coaches
Want clarity and structure in their coaching
Lead mixed-ability groups
Seek confidence in planning and delivery
Want support, not judgement
Ambitious & developing coaches
Want to deepen their understanding of the game
Seek long-term professional growth
Want feedback on their own coaching behaviour
Are open to reflection and learning
Coaches supported by clubs or organisations
Part of a club development initiative
Working within a defined pathway or philosophy
Supported through RF-SISU or internal funding
Want development aligned with club direction
Key focus areas
Coaching pedagogy
How players learn, how coaches intervene, and how environments influence understanding.
Player development considerations
Adapting coaching to age, readiness, confidence, and individual needs.
Session design & progression
Planning sessions that develop over time and connect clearly to match situations.
Coach behaviour & decision-making
Understanding how presence, language, and actions shape learning environments.
Communication & feedback
Developing clarity, consistency, and trust through purposeful coach behaviour.
Long-term
planning
Structuring weeks, phases, and seasons to support sustainable development.
What makes this mentorship different
Common approaches
One-off education sessions
Generic content
Focus on methods
Short-term inspiration
Limited follow-up
Our mentorship approach
Ongoing support over time
Context-specific discussions
Focus on coach thinking and decision-making
Long-term professional development
Reflection, feedback, and continuity
This is not an evaluation process.
It is a professional development partnership.
What mentorship can look like in practice
Scenario 1
A coach struggling to plan sessions that challenge mixed-ability groups without losing engagement.
Scenario 3
Reflecting on communication challenges with players and parents after a difficult period.
Scenario 2
Supporting a coach through a transition to a new spelform and increased tactical complexity.
Scenario 4
Helping a coach structure a season plan that balances development, confidence, and results.
How mentorship is delivered
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1:1 mentorship: Individual support tailored to the coach’s context and needs.
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Digital sessions: Flexible, accessible support regardless of location.
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In-person sessions: Where appropriate, connected directly to training environments.
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Club-supported programmes: Mentorship integrated into wider club development initiatives.
How to get started
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Initial conversation
We discuss your coaching context, challenges, and goals.
Clarifying support needs
Together we determine whether mentorship is the right fit and what it should focus on.
Ongoing mentorship
Support is structured and delivered over time, aligned with your development journey.