The Benefits of Group Mentorship from the Mentee Perspective!
Collaborate Sports was created with one thing in mind…. that we can all get to solutions faster when we work with others and collaborate! The group mentorship programs we run are all designed to provide support to practitioners at varying stages of their careers to enhance their practice. This is achieved through immersive discussion in LIVE sessions, breakouts to discuss performance problems and reflective questions, replicating the way high-performance multi-disciplinary teams interact.
So far we have helped over 450 practitioners across various programmes in the last 4 years! In this brief article, we share Derry Waldron’s experience as a student approaching his last year studying BSc Sport Science at Brunel University. Derry was searching for opportunities to grow not only his theoretical understanding but also his support network. Derry was lucky enough to benefit from a sponsored place on the mentorships, taking part alongside his work experience as an academy S&C coach at Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club & Junior athletic development coach at Dukes Meadows Tennis Academy.
“Dans mentorship programme and the opportunity to be a sponsored applicant has been invaluable. The detail Dan provides, on several different topics throughout the programme, whether it be energy system development, strength and power, or data management and utilisation is second to none.”
The format of the mentorship program allows mentees to focus on a specific topic each month with access to additional monthly webinars and course content to work through at their own pace.
However, unlike most courses, the mentorship program isn’t rigid in its delivery. Learning is adapted to meet the needs of cohort utilising real world examples from mentees environments and promoting collaboration to find solutions to the questions posed by participants.
“The session format facilitates in-depth discussion with other coaches from all experience backgrounds, bringing even more knowledge and expertise. In addition, the bonus content provides brilliant guest appearances from a variety of coaches around the world, and really acts as the icing on a very large cake! “
Outside of the live sessions, mentees have access to the Collaborate Sports Mentorship Community where over 180 coaches work collaboratively to continue their professional development support with one another. As well as drawing on my experience as a core mentor, members can pose questions or ask for support on anything they want, from programme design to contract negotiations. The benefit of this network is that no question is left unanswered, as someone within the network will be able to help or know someone who can!
For an emerging coach like Derry, the programme provides him with the chance to build his network and knowledge. He shared:
“The collaborative and community-based interaction is what I have enjoyed the most. The Mentorship Community that Dan has created, is unique. It offers the opportunity to ask questions, reflect, discuss, share and learn with other members. The platform acts as an agile S&C encyclopaedia where you can search for answers or start your own discussions by posing a question you don’t yet have the answer for and want to draw on the experiences of your peers. I couldn’t recommend the program more!”
If you are looking at ways to advance your career like Derry, why not join one of our mentorship pathways? Click the button below to see more!
