Sports Coach for Community Kids

Agency
·
founded in 2007
Maureen
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Coordinator | Maureen
Coordinator | Maureen
Book with Flex Option! Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.

High­lights

Mentor and help children to develop team-building skills and confidence through sports as you share successful sporting strategies and techniques.
Teach your favorite sports to children and coach individuals and teams.
Teach children the importance of proper nutritional practices as you help children to build fitness levels.
Motivate and encourage children to achieve their dreams of thriving in sports.
Assist talented children with discovering scholarship opportunities and training for a brighter future.
Train eager and talented youth from poor communities in Jamaica, a country where sports is deeply embedded in the culture. This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups

Make a difference in the lives of Jamaica youth with a volunteer sports coaching abroad project. Train and mentor children who dream of becoming the ‘next big thing’ following in the footsteps of local Track & Field legends Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

Many Jamaicans struggle with poverty and many children view and use sports as a way to rise above their circumstances. On your project, you’ll help these children to sharpen their techniques as you set them on a path to achieve their goals and change their lives.

Aside from Track & Field, another popular sport in Jamaica is football (soccer). Almost every community in Jamaica has a field where you will often find children kicking a ball or playing Netball, Basketball, or even Cricket. Other sports like swimming and tennis are played but mainly reserved for the rich and upper-middle class.

Children who live in orphanages and many poor communities, although rich in talent, have limited to no exposure to sports. You’ll have opportunities to make a difference by teaching them a new sport.  

If sports coaching is your passion, then Jamaica is the place for you.

When you volunteer as a coach you will be placed in a school and have the opportunity to work with one sport or a combination of several. Whatever sport you specialize in, you can work alone or with the physical education teacher to build the skills of the students.

Jamaica also has several sports clubs in many communities for mainly football, basketball, and track & field.

If you are looking to offer your coaching skills to young people who are dedicated to a particular sport, the clubs in poor and impoverish communities would offer the best opportunities.

If you want to work with a special sport but do not have coaching experience, you can still be a coach.

All you need to have is a good understanding of the game and enthusiasm.

If you’re interested in coaching children who live in homes and institutions, you’ll have opportunities to combine your volunteer coaching with volunteering at an Orphanage.

Come coach sport in Jamaica and help kids build skills and develop a winning attitude. 

Essential Program Information

Program Times

Our programs are usually run Mondays – Fridays from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. However, we can arrange shorter days for those who require it. Some programs might have activities on Saturdays which are normally pre-planned. We will help you to make the necessary arrangements.

Safety

At JVP, our mantra is “Your safety is our number one priority”. This means that our job is not completed until you arrive home safely. 

To ensure this, when you are in Jamaica you will never be alone. A Jamaica Volunteer Programs representative will always be available to you. In addition to this, on your arrival, we'll give you safety tips and strategies to use during your orientation. 

On your arrival in Jamaica, we never send taxis to pick you up. You are always greeted by our smiling representative/driver.

JVP does not accept volunteers without a  background check/police report which states that the applicant does not have a criminal record. Applicants are also asked about mental health and medication. We do this to provide support for the volunteers in our program.

Like most other countries, Jamaica does have crime. However, our programs, routes, and destinations are designed around and away from those areas so you will always be safe. Even further, our volunteer home and program partners are located in some of the safest communities in St Andrew.

Our accommodation is located in a safe neighborhood in the hills of St. Andrew overlooking the city of Kingston. The organization’s founder and her family also live on this property. For safety and security, only authorized persons can enter the grounds.

We provide 24/7 in-country support where our dedicated team members are always there to support you with any emergencies or other needs. This means that when you book with us you will be treated as if you are a relative visiting from overseas and provided with a safe home away from home. 

Therefore, at all times you'll be surrounded by caring and trusted people to keep you safe.

Application 

You can apply at any time for all of our programs. However, we advise you to apply as soon as you can to ensure that you lock up your space.

Once you have paid your deposit and confirmed your place on the program, we will send you an email confirming your payment. This email will also include a link where you can download our Registration Handbook that will provide you with pre-departure reference and support information.

If you require any further information not covered in the handbook our staff is always on-hand to assist you.

Volunteer Experience Value 

If you are wondering if you can use your volunteer experience to boost your professional profile, then yes you can. At your request, we can provide you with a letter or certificate of completion detailing your volunteer activities and accomplishments. 

A volunteer experience abroad is a great resume booster and can be of great value when applying for college or a job. We’ll be glad to assist you to make it happen. 

Typical day

Your coaching will be during the regular school days Monday – Friday between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. Many teams practise in the afternoons after school.

If you’re looking for a project at a coaching club, you would be expected to do this in the afternoons.

Competitions are held on Saturdays and are usually pre-planned so if you want to attend any of these, we’ll help you make the necessary arrangements.

Free-time activities

Most evenings you’ll go back to your volunteer home to hang out and plan for the next day.

Outside of arranged cultural immersion trips and excursions where you’ll have opportunities to experience some of Jamaica’s most amazing attractions, we continually look for eye-opening cultural activities for you to do in your free time.

Because of this we sometimes offer you opportunities to attend local events in the afternoons organized by our cultural ambassador/project coordinator.

For the volunteer sports coaching abroad project, your project coordinator will look out for any sporting events or celebrations that you may be interested in. And if you plan your trip carefully, you can travel at a time when Jamaica is having a major sports event for a better experience with how sports is deeply embedded in our culture. 

Activities such as Jamaican dancing lessons, patois classes, and Jamaican storytelling are designed to keep you entertained, but more importantly, to further help you learn the Jamaican culture.

On the last Friday night before your departure, we have ‘Jamaica Night’ – where we will display some of Jamaica’s most popular food, play popular Jamaican music and also give volunteers the opportunity to showcase what they’ve learned about the Jamaican culture as well as showcase their own culture. 

Concert/
Music
Hiking
Sports

Require­ments

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.
Language Skills
You need to speak English (basic level)
Criminal Background Check
required
Nationality Restrictions
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
Other Skills
Good understanding of the game, patience, and enthusiasm.
Time Commitment
Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 09:00 - 16:00

What's Included

Services by Jamaica Volunteer Programs

  • Pre-arrival assistance
  • Airport-pickup
  • Welcome Dinner on Arrival
  • Program Orientation
  • Accommodation
  • Daily Breakfast & Dinner (Except Saturdays & Sundays)
  • Volunteer Placement
  • Daily Project Transfers with Private Driver
  • Internet access
  • 24/7 in-country support

Airport Pickup at Norman Manley International Airport

Volunteers will arrive at the Norman Manley International Airport and our representative will meet you on arrival.

A Jamaica Volunteer Programs coordinator will conduct orientation on the morning of the day the project starts. During this first meeting, you will be introduced to local staff who will take care of you and go over the details of your project placement. Your orientation will include popular Jamaican customs & culture, safety, weekend and free time travel options, and guidelines and expectations.

During your orientation, you will also be briefed on information about all the Covid-19 protocols, options for local transportation, currency, and other support services you will require during your stay.

Accommodation

Nestled on top of the picturesque hill of Smokeyvale, St. Andrew is a secret hideaway called Smokey Manor. With breathtaking sceneries of the Blue Mountains to the East and a spectacular view of Kingston to the South, Smokey Manor is an artist’s dream to paint. This community is a visual feast of ferns, flora, and fauna. Everywhere you turn, there will be towering fruit trees, cool breeze, and panoramic mountains.

Our accommodation has electricity, running water, western-style bathrooms, and free Wi-Fi. You are required to bring your reusable water bottle to refill each day, which will help to reduce your cost for clean drinking water. You are also required to bring toiletries.

Rooms
Rooms are equipped with fans, but there is the option to pay an additional charge for air conditioning.

We have 3 Dorms:
Dorm 1 sleeps 8 persons of the same sex
Dorm 2 sleeps 4 same-sex
Dorm 3 sleeps 4 of the same sex
Sometimes when we have overflow we use the double rooms for volunteers, especially for males which are usually in smaller numbers.

We have 4 other rooms for single and double occupancy with own private bathroom. These are offered at a higher rate. If you want to upgrade and we have space we can offer quotes for these.

Our property offers lots of patios, terraces, and open spaces.
To make quick snacks, we have a kitchen with utensils, a refrigerator, and a microwave.

Food
At JVP, we offer daily breakfast and dinner which includes, many of the popular foods Jamaicans eat.
We cater to all diets, including vegetarians and vegans. To request meals for your special diet, contact us.

Relaxation
Our relaxation areas include:
Upstairs lounge room
Court for basketball or any other sport or outdoor activity
Large open ground for strolling or sun bathing

We also have:
A BBQ pit for our delicious BBQ Chicken dinners
Towering fruit trees:
Avocados, pears, mangoes, Otaheite apples
Breadfruit (a popular dish),
Ackee (our national dish)

Bedroom (Double) Bedroom (Single) Dorm Room
Food & Beverages

You’ll be served daily breakfast and dinner from Monday - Friday at the volunteer house as part of your package. We offer a basic daily breakfast that includes toast, eggs, fruits, tea/coffee, and juice. Two days per week, you’ll have a full Jamaican breakfast. 

For breakfast and dinner on the weekends, you may use our communal kitchen at the volunteer accommodation with access to amenities like a gas stove, oven, kettles, microwave, and fridge. Alternatively, you can access nearby restaurants offering meals between $5-8.

In Jamaican homes, you’ll find a variety of foods and drinks which are as varied as the people and scenery, and you’ll be able to sample all of them including the popular jerk, roast breadfruit, and ackee & saltfish (the national dish).

Our home-cooked food is a melting pot of all the cultures brought here during slavery and the plantation era and staying in a Jamaican home is the best place to sample these. At our homestays, you’re guaranteed the most delicious, nutritious meals made from organic ingredients.

You will, however, have to buy lunch at or near your project site. Our program advisors will help you make arrangements for an affordable lunch or show you how to find the closest food store.

At JVP, we cater to all diets, including vegetarians and vegans. To request meals for your special diet, discuss with your project coordinator.

Internet Access
Good access at the project site
What's NOT included?
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
Flight Tickets
The nearest airport is Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) in Kingston. We assist you to find cheap flights to Jamaica.
Travel Insurance
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Jamaica provides security and is a plus to have.
Vaccines
If you are intending to volunteer in Jamaica you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Jamaica.

Dates & Fees

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Details on arrival

We Offer Programs 

  • From March 14 until June 18
  • From Mid-November to December

Although we are flexible, we encourage volunteers to arrive on weekends so you'll have a full week to volunteer. There are times during the year when Jamaica has major holidays and celebrations, so it is advisable to plan your trip that your dates do not coincide with these major events. 

If you want to do this project at a school then please note that schools are closed during exams, Christmas break in December, Easter break in April, and the summer months in July & August.

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Duration
1 - 12 weeks

Program fees

Costs: Prices in USD
1 week (min. stay)
$750
2 weeks
$1,230
3 weeks
$1,650
4 weeks
$2,100
12 weeks (max. stay)
$5,700
Average fees
$613 /week

Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated. Jamaica Volunteer Programs will let you know about the final price during your application process.
Deposit (15%)
The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.
Final Payment (85%)
Your final payment will be agreed with Jamaica Volunteer Programs during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Why book with Volunteer World

Extra security layer by Volunteer World
Volunteer World is the world's leading comparison platform for international volunteer opportunities. We guide you through a safe and easy application process - including all necessary payments. Planning your next meaningful trip with Volunteer World gives you free access to our:
Quality Assurance
High ethical standards & transparent social impact
Flex Option
Change your reservation at no extra costs
Refund Guarantee
We refund your fees if Jamaica Volunteer Programs cancels your trip
Support & Mediation
We cover your back no matter what happens
Our services are free of charge!
All program fees are charged directly by Jamaica Volunteer Programs.

What are people saying about Volunteer World?

Sports Coach for Community Kids

Train eager and talented youth from poor communities in Jamaica, a country where sports is deeply embedded in the culture.

$613/week

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