WORK DESCRIPTION:
Coaching sports has immeasurable indirect benefits for the children, such as health awareness, increased confidence and social skills. Although the children can speak English they tend to be incredibly shy at first, but they will soon open up.
You'll usually teach between 10 and 30 children at a time. Sometimes the children can be split into smaller groups with the PE teacher taking half the children if you find that they are too many to coach. You’ll most likely be teaching children aged between 7 and 16.
You may be coaching sports on your own or the PE teachers may assist you; it will depend on their knowledge of the sports you are coaching. It is vital to use loads of initiative on this placement as you may have to ‘round up’ classes to coach during the day.
You will usually be coaching for 3 to 5 hours at one school only, however there is a possibility that you may coach at two different venues. The lessons are approximately 40 minutes each and you will be coaching a variety of sports:
Cricket:
Cricket is by far the most popular sport in India and has produced some of the finest cricketers in the world. India won the Cricket World Cup in 1983 and then again in 2011. They also won the first ever T20 world cup in 2007. Children love to practise at every opportunity so this sport will be in great demand.
Football:
Football is probably the second most popular sport in India after cricket. Football is not widely played though so resources are lacking. You may find a few deflated footballs and cones and most of the time you will need to improvise as you may not find goal posts. Football coaching is also available as a full time project.
Badminton:
Badminton is also one of the most popular sports in India with Sania Nehwal one of the emerging players in India today. Many children play badminton but few receive proper coaching.
Tennis:
The facilities at the schools may be basic and the children may not receive proper coaching; this is where you come in.
Volleyball is another popular sport in India and is played in the larger schools.
Basketball is becoming more and more popular in India so any help you can give the children will be appreciated.
Coaching sports is only available from June to February because, from the beginning of March, the children have to concentrate on their academic studies as their exams are just around the corner. However, you may be able to coach some sport during the Summer Holidays (April to May) when Summer Camps are held in some of our schools for approximately 40 children. 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.
ACCOMMODATION:
You'll either live with a host family or in our volunteer flat, depending on which project you’re doing and the number of volunteers there at the same time as you.. In either accommodation you may share a room with another volunteer. If you have a preference for either a host family or staying in a flat, we will do our best to accommodate you.
Host Family
For a complete Indian experience we'll arrange for you to stay with a wonderful host family. All of our hosts are very welcoming and not only will be made to feel part of the family you’ll also gain a great insight into Indian culture and customs. Many of our volunteers remain friends with their host families long after they leave India.
You may share a room with one other volunteer; and you may have an en-suite Western-style bathroom. Most of the showers in our host accommodation are cold water only – however your hosts will boil water for you. All of our host family houses are close together and just a few minutes’ walk away from internet cafes, banks and snack shops and just a short auto ride into the centre of town. Our staff in Madurai also live close-by.
Food:
Breakfast and dinner will be provided and prepared for you by the family and is mainly local fare, allowing you to taste a varied selection of delicious south Indian dishes and exotic fruits. You will need to make provision for your own lunch.
Volunteer Flat
Our volunteer flat is situated close to all our host families. This option gives you the chance to live within the local community whilst at the same time retaining your independence. The flat is very modern, spacious, light and airy. It has a well kitted-out kitchen and large lounge area with satellite TV, DVD and a good selection of DVDs for your entertainment. There is also a balcony on which to relax with a cool drink and a book. It gets a wonderfully refreshing evening breeze to keep you cool!
You will be provided with a food budget giving you the option to either cook for yourself or sample the local restaurants. Eating out is extremely cheap in Madurai. There are two supermarkets within walking distance of the flat, selling everything from groceries to clothes and also a well stocked fruit and vegetable department.
Many of the hotels in town have roof top restaurants offering incredible views across the town with the dramatic Sri Meenakshi Temple silhouetted on the skyline. Most restaurants are good quality and you can sample North Indian as well as South Indian dishes along with a small selection of Western food.
Vegetarian food is plentiful.
