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

50Creating a Mentoring Programme for SportAReflecting on the points outlined on the previouspage, try to answer as clearly as possible thefollowing questions:What is the problem your programmewill address?What are the aims of the programme (ie what arethe changes you hope to achieve)?What are the specific objectives of theprogramme? (These should be measurable.)What does success look like?Having established the aims and objectives of theproject, you should now look to describe theintended outcomes (ie what success would looklike). Outcomes express the results your programmeintends to achieve; they should be measurable andphrased in terms of change and/or benefits for you,the organisation, the mentee and mentor.Mentoring is seen to be an important factor in theeffectiveness and productivity of an organisation. Thenet effect of mentees attaining personal andprofessional goals is often the attainment oforganisational goals. Mentors have also been knownto gain from the experience, often citing a sense ofrenewal and rejuvenation in relation to coaching,along with reciprocal learning as a consequence ofmentorship interactions. Reflecting on this, whatare the desired outcomes associated withyour programme?What are the outcomes of the programme (ie thebenefits of the programme) for:• coaches• mentors• the organisation?Example outcomesOutcomesShort-term outcomes: What change do you expectto occur either immediately or in the near future?Medium-term outcomes: What ongoing change doyou want to occur?ChangesChanges in learning:• Raised awareness (reciprocal learning)• New knowledge (sport, athlete, environment)• Increased skills (improved practice)• Motivation or aspiration (personalgrowth, satisfaction)• Changed attitude (self-esteem, confidence)Changes in action:• Modified behaviour or practice• Changed decisions and/or policies• Changed management strategiesLong-term outcome: What conditional change doyou hope will occur over time?Changes in condition:• Sustainable coach learning (communityof practice)• Increased stability of coaching• Improved cooperation across coachinggroups (unity)• Improved diversity of working environment• Improved participation or opportunity (retention)