SAHOF will arrange the first meeting between you and your Mentee via Zoom, then the first face to face meeting will follow shortly after (where possible with schedule alignments).

After this, it is the Mentee’s responsibility to value your time, experience and desire to help to ensure regular catch ups are arranged. In some cases, given your status and the fact that you’re probably a sporting hero of theirs, they may be nervous or reserved and reluctant to reach out to you for the first few times. Often Mentees feel that if they contact their Mentor first, they will appear annoying and/or be a burden.

We encourage face-to-face meetings (where possible) on a regular basis and regular contact to be made via email/phone/text/Zoom/Facetime, etc.

SAHOF will always assist in this space where required.

During your first meeting:

1. Set the parameters

   • Get the housekeeping out of the way early. Talk about how often you’re available to meet, how you prefer to communicate, etc.

2. Introductions

   • Give your Mentee a more in-depth overview of your experience and career highlights.

3. Goal Setting
   • The Mentee will have the following points to discuss with you:
     • Current skills
     • Current weaknesses
     • Support they already receive
     • Short and long term goals
     • Life outside of sport
     • Areas for Mentor support
       • Dealing with the media/public speaking
       • How to attract Sponsors
       • How to cope with nerves pre-competition
       • Nutrition advice
       • Life outside of sport
       • Friend/confident outside of your own sport
4. Five Basic Starter Questions to ask your Mentee 
   • What is it that you really want to be and do?
   • What are you doing really well that is helping you get there?
   • What are you not doing well that is preventing you from getting there?
   • What will you do differently tomorrow to meet those challenges?
   • How can I help/where do you need the most help?