General Info
You'll coach junior athletes at a top athletics club in Auckland where you may also have the opportunity to train and compete yourself. You'll coach athletics for part of your time and part of your time will be spent teaching or coaching underprivileged children at a local school.
Athletics is a fairly popular sport in New Zealand but is somewhat overshadowed by sports such as rugby, netball and cricket. On this project you'll be able to work at a athletics club which has a variety of events to offer. You'll coach the Juniors for an hour or two at the club in the afternoons and evenings, as well as training and possibly competing for the club. During the day you'll bring very welcome coaching skills to our sports project, where you'll coach a variety of sports to underprivileged children at a school. You may also be asked to teach some other subjects to the children, apart from sports.
The club we work with has a very lively social scene and you will be welcomed with open arms.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Athletics Club is located in the suburbs of Auckland and a short bus ride away from the city centre where your accommodation is located. The club has excellent facilities which are the best in Auckland, including a weights gym, athletics track and top class cross country running park. At the club you will have the opportunity to coach a variety of different ages in a variety of different events. You'll also have the opportunity to train and possibly compete for the club, if you get selected.
The club has a large variety of athletics events available for volunteers to coach and compete in as follows:
• All field events,
• All track events,
• Cross country/middle distance
During the summer months (October - March), the club holds its track and field training. The cross country and middle distance training takes place all year round. The children you will be coaching vary from 7 - 18 year olds.
If you would also like to compete yourself on this project, you can do this as a representative of the athletics club or as a representative from your own club.
COACH AT LOCAL SCHOOLS
As the athletics project won't occupy all your time, during the daytime you'll work on the School Sports Project. Here you can coach athletics or a number of other sports an additional hour or two on most days, leaving your evenings free to coach and train with the athletics club.
The Athletics season and coaching times:The athletics season runs from:
• Track & Field: October - March
• Cross Country, road running and long distance: All year round
During the school holidays there is the same opportunity to coach athletics as the school term.
As a volunteer with Travellers, you'll receive free club membership but if you wish to compete you will have to pay around $5 - $7 per meeting.
WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT
► An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure!
► The rewards from helping others and Making a Difference!
► New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
► An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market
► And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!
WHAT TO DO NEXT
►Talk to us - We're there to help you. Call +44 (0) 1903 502595
►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.
ACCOMMODATION AND LOCATION
Our accommodation is located in the city centre of Auckland. Therefore you are very central, close to the main train station and shopping district. You'll live in a centrally located lodge that is friendly and relaxing, making it ideal for long-term stays. You may have your own room or you may share a room with other volunteers. There is an excellent kitchen and storage area for cooking meals and plenty of space to relax.
Entertainment at your accommodation includes cheap internet access and cable TV (Sky) as well as an outside balcony. You are literally a stroll from the Sky Tower, harbor and waterfront. Trains and buses are also only a few minutes away to take you to parts of Auckland and New Zealand or to the many other ‘things to do’!
The city centre boasts great shopping, restaurants and pubs or head over to the viaduct for more pubs, nightclubs and multicultural cuisine. You'll get to work via bus, which is close to your accommodation.
Maori settlement in Auckland was at least 800 years ago where by different tribes built fortifications on the various volcanoes in Auckland. When the British arrived in 1840 they claimed Auckland as the capital city of New Zealand until Wellington became the capital 25 years later.The city is modern and vibrant - a fun and friendly city with beautiful surrounding islands and harbour.
Some of its more famous attractions include the Sky Tower, Rangitoto Island, the Harbour, the Hukani Gulf Islands and the many extinct volcanoes that are in Auckland which provide great views of the city.
Auckland has restaurants to suit all tastes - the most popular cuisine is New Zealand lamb which can be ordered at many restaurants around the city and is well worth it. For meals in local restaurants, a trip to Auckland's inner city centre is well worth the effort - it bustles with activity and offers a range of choices of restaurants.
