Description

Hugely rewarding and inspiring coaching volunteer projects in India that makes a true difference in the lives of the energetic children at the local sports club. Disadvantaged students from the area will cherish the football skills you are able to teach them and use them in all aspects of their lives. Make strong connections with the children and help organize tournaments!

You'll usually work with all age groups, in secondary and primary schools, and your coaching may be in three sessions of morning, afternoon and evening. You may also be able to coach at a local sports club. You can coach a variety of other sports, your choice is not limited to football alone. However, the other sports will be as an extra curricular activity and you'll combine the sports with teaching in the schools.

Project Overview:
Coaching Football in South India is a rewarding experience both for you and the children. Kids in India are wonderful to teach and incredibly enthusiastic about learning sport. They turn up for training each day eager to learn new skills and play a game. Coaching has immeasurable indirect benefits for the children, such as health awareness, increased confidence and social skills.

Travellers works with different types of schools and also a sports club. Some of the schools are well off but most are public schools and usually very poor. Most of the schools have some basic facilities, such as football and cricket fields; however, some don't have nets and only a couple of footballs. Although materials and resources may be scarce, the enthusiasm of the students and colleagues more than makes up for any hardships.

The Sports Club is for students aged 10 to 20 years of age and are for the football students from various schools in the area. Because most schools do not have the facilities to hold sports on their grounds they arrange for the students to participate in sports before and after school hours at these sports clubs. Coaching is held in the mornings from 6am 8am and in the afternoon from 4pm 6pm.

You don't need any qualifications to do this project, just a good knowledge of the game and lots of enthusiasm!

This project can also be combined with any of our other projects in India, such as Sports or Summer Camp, Teaching or various Care, giving you a varied and broad experience of life in India.

Work Content:
Coaching is usually done in three sessions, morning, afternoon and evening, at three different venues. You may work in secondary and primary schools and you will normally help out with all age groups and you will most likely be in popular demand everywhere. The Principal/sports director and/or relevant teachers at the school and sports clubs will liaise with you about your coaching assignments. Our Organiser will also be happy to assist you where necessary.

At the end of the last term, Tim Roberts, a Travellers volunteer who was coaching football at the time was keen on organising a tournament between two of the schools. With help from another volunteer who was coaching in addition to his teaching English project, they put together the tournament with Travellers sponsoring the event. It was a roaring success with the winning team receiving trophies and medals and the runners up also were handed medals.

Coaching football is not available during the holidays except for the Summer Vacation (please see the approximate dates below). At this time some of the schools hold classes for about 40 to 60 children in Summer Camps and our Teaching volunteers hold informal classes. These Summer Camps actually take place in the school grounds and are an opportunity to give more informal lessons, perhaps combining them with playing a sport or putting together a music concert or play much more relaxed and not quite so structured. Alternatively, you can use the holidays to tour around the country and sightsee.

School Holidays:
Holidays are in the latter part of December and running into the beginning of January. Dates are approximate: they may change unexpectedly as the Government decides to change them!

First Term Vacation: 1st to 5th October
Pooja Holiday: 8th to 9th October
Diwali Holiday: 25th to 28th October

Winter Holiday:
21st December to 3rd January
Second Term Vacation: 24th December to 1st January
Pongal Holiday: 13th to 15th January
Summer Vacation: 1st April to 1st June

Free Coaching Manuals:
As a volunteer sports coach with Travellers, you have access to a large number of coaching manuals for each sport - these manuals have been produced in-house by our Sports Manager. These manuals are very useful and will help you to plan coaching sessions for your students.

What You'll Gain From Doing this Project:
--> An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into beautiful India and it's fascinating culture.
--> The enormous satisfaction of helping disadvantaged children and knowing that you made a difference to them.
--> New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
--> An entry on your CV or resume that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market
--> And best of all.. an unforgettable experience!

We can also arrange your flight dates to give you additional time at the end of your project for travelling around and sightseeing - this is a fascinating and wondrous country!

Highlights

What To Do Next:
Talk to us - We're there to help you.

Most of our team are ex Travellers volunteers and are ideally qualified to offer advice and guidance because they know what you're looking for. They'll help you find your perfect project - and then make it all happen!

If you'd like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us!

If you'd like to apply for this project, please go to our website and complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, we'll liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen.

It's as easy as that.

Accommodations:
You will most likely share a room with up to 2 other volunteers in our Travellers house in the Northern part of Madurai. The house is situated close to internet cafes, banks and snack shops and it's just a 10 minute tuk-tuk ride into the centre of town.

The house has 3 bedrooms (2 ensuite) with showers and western style toilets. All bedrooms are fitted with mosquito netting but for added protection we also provide mosquito nets. The house is very light and airy with tiled floors, a small garden, 2 balconies and a rooftop terrace. There's a communal lounge with TV, DVD, a good selection of DVD's, a stereo and a guitar!!

We have a wonderful local cook who prepares delicious South Indian food for lunch and dinner. You can choose to have an Indian breakfast too but most volunteers prefer a more western breakfast and we provide you with bread, cereals, eggs, fruit and fruit juice.

If you're looking for that complete Indian experience we can arrange for you to stay with one of our host families. All of our hosts are very welcoming and you will be made to feel part of the family. All of the hosts live just a minute walk away from the Travellers house enabling you to socialise with the other volunteers in the evenings.

What Our Users Say:
'Everything about my placement coaching football was fantastic - the friendliness of the people in Madurai, the excellent living conditions in the Travellers house and the wonderful support from the in country supervisors. But most of all what really made it for me were the school kids I was coaching - all of them such great characters, extremely dedicated and so grateful for the opportunity to be taught more about football." Tim Roberts

Additional Activities You Can Do While on This Project:
Add to your travel experience in India by doing some additional exciting optional extra activities.
--> Yoga and Meditation Classes: Learn or improve your Yoga skills. Kick-start your days with Yoga followed by Meditation, it'll set you up for the day!
--> 2-Hour Basic Tamil Language Course: (only GBP7). You'll learn some basic phrases to kick-start your placement
--> 4-Week Tamil Language Course: (GBP49) taken at the same time as doing your main project.
Lessons are by a retired Professor of Tamil. You'll appreciate the benefits of having some Tamil during your placement.. and the locals will love you for trying to speak their language.

Qualifications

No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities. This placement would suit anyone who wants to make a real difference, wants first-hand experience of a different culture and has initiative.

Intern Types

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Varies depending on length. Starts at 1,270 for 2 weeks

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Full support from the moment of booking and throughout your placement to your return home. There are support staff 24/7 in all our destinations worldwide and a 24 hour emergency international telephone line direct to the Head Office. All meals are provided, unless otherwise stated. Accommodation is provided (whether a rented house, a hotel/hostel, homestay, apartment or flat).

You'll be met at the nearest airport on your arrival by our in-country manager who will take you to your accommodation and give you a full induction into the area. He/she will also be on call 24/7 and you'll see them frequently.

Pre-departure you'll receive comprehensive information about every aspect of your placement and necessary preparations, ranging from what to pack, to visa information, to what to do on your weekend travel in the country. Your safety, well being and happiness throughout your placement are our primary concerns and we will keep in touch with you throughout. International flights not included.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

This placement would suit people who want to make a real difference, want first-hand experience of a different culture and who have initiative. No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm and a love of children! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities.

Age Range

Travellers Worldwide projects are available to those 17-90+!!

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat
• Dormitory
• Group living

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

within 5 working days

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Travellers Worldwide's Mission Statement

Travellers Worldwide organises all types of worthwhile and beneficial voluntary placements in local communities. We also provide Work Experience & Internship opportunities, as well as different types of Courses and study abroad options. We have many diverse projects, from teaching underprivileged or refugee children in schools, orphanages and care homes, to conservation and rehabilitation of endangered animals, such as orangutans, lion cubs, dolphins, elephants. Our aim is to make a difference to the communities we work in and to facilitate personal and professional growth in our volunteers. We employ local people in our destination countries and local providers of goods and services, thus ensuring we have a positive impact on the community. Our ethos encompasses mutual respect, cultural exchange, responsible travel and a beneficial outcome for all. Travellers also arranges work experience placements in Journalism, Law, Veterinary, Medicine, Tourism, Architecture, and many more. There are also opportunities to learn languages and other skills such as Capoeira in Brazil, Tango in Argentina or Flying in South Africa. These projects are unique - and tailored to suit you! Our placements are flexible (2 weeks to 1 year) and on most you can choose your own start and finish dates. No qualifications are required, just an enthusiasm to experience a new culture! Full support is provided within the country, with friendly and conscientious staff, ensuring a safe and exciting way to experience a brand new culture! Placements are also very sociable: you'll make friends with the other international volunteers and often volunteers travel together after their placement and during their free weekends. We help you to Make a Difference and have an exciting adventure travel experience!

Year Founded

1995