Creating a Mentoring Programme for Sport: A ... - sports coach UK

10Creating a Mentoring Programme for Sport2An ideal mentoring relationship is considered to bea reciprocal one in which both parties gain in someway from the experience. Therefore, a positivementoring relationship can be characterised by:• sharing – of ideas, knowledge, expertise,resources, beliefs and values• mutual respect – reciprocal value forknowledge, expertise and interpersonal skills(how they deal with people and situations)• mutual trust – a sense of safety and anenvironment within which shortcomings can beshared without judgement; a faith, confidenceand belief in each other• reciprocity – of learning and investment inthe relationship• care and concern – directed towards personaland professional development.The relationship processMentoring can be viewed as a process, consisting ofa series of interactions from which coaches canexpect to gain new skills and knowledge, andfeedback on performance. This process is atransitional phenomenon that varies in intensity anddepth as it evolves over time, consisting of threefeatures: initiation; transition; and ending.• Initiation – This generally occurs when thementee is in a new, challenging position orduring a significant shift in their development.The impetus to engage in a mentoring exchangeoften occurs naturally when a mentee and anexpert (mentor) are inadvertently drawntogether, usually as a result of some mutualinterest or goal.• Transition – As the mentorship develops, thereappears to be a shift whereby the mentee gainsa better sense of capability (confidence andself-belief) and is able to engage in/contribute tothe process more actively. This transformationalshift sees the mentee give back to therelationship, and reciprocal learning occurs.• Ending – Ideally, the mentorship only ends whenneither mentee nor mentor has a need for it tocontinue. The established nature and structureof their relationship is substantially changed,either by increasing physical or psychologicaldistance.It should be noted that these stages don’t alwaysarrive in a logical, clean sequence.© Alan Edwards