At a glance
- Inspire children from disadvantaged communities to live active, healthy lives
- Set your own goals and teach the children important life lessons through sports, such as discipline and teamwork
- Support local teachers who are often unable to devote enough attention to physical education
Is volunteer sports coaching in Costa Rica right for me?
This project is suited for those who love sports and enjoy being active. Your passion for sports will influence the children to develop their own love for sports, whether it be a specific sport, or a whole bunch.
Volunteer Sports Coaching in Costa Rica is a great option if you’re taking a break from your college studies or work. You can use your time off to make a difference in the lives of children abroad.
This hands-on sports coaching experience in Costa Rica will add valuable experience to your CV. If you’re pursuing a career in this area, this will stand out in future applications.
If you want sport to be part of your career, volunteering as a sports coach is a good option to gain practical experience. A hands-on sports coaching experience in Costa Rica will help you gain the skills to benefit your career. You can focus on a specific sport, or coach several.
This project is not only for those planning a career in sports coaching. By joining, you’ll also make a significant contribution to the lives of children in need through sports. You don’t need previous coaching experience to join us in Costa Rica. You’ll work alongside a local sports coach who will guide you through your work.
You can start your project at any time and stay as long as you like. Our staff in Costa Rica will be available 24/7 to help with anything you need during your trip.
What will I do as a Sports Coach in Costa Rica?
As a sports coach in Costa Rica, your main focus will be to assist local staff at a school. The specific activities you do will include the following:
- Assist a local teacher during school sports classes
- Organise games and activities for the children that promote fitness, health, and wellbeing
Assist a local teacher during school sport classes
You’ll work at a local school in an underprivileged community, supporting a local teacher. Many schools in Costa Rica do not have access to resources and a high standard of sports coaching. This could be in the form of a physical education teacher, depending on where you are placed.
Organise games and activities for children that promote fitness, health, and wellbeing
The school you work at will benefit from a focus on games and activities that promote fitness, health, and wellbeing, such as dodgeball, hide and seek, and dancing. But, you won’t be limited to these. There will be plenty of room to provide your own input into the sports coaching curriculum.
Some of the schools we work with teach sports like volleyball, athletics, and football. You could choose to focus on one or all of these sports – or even introduce a new sport. Some schools also have limited space, facilities, and equipment. You can use your imagination and creativity to adapt the sports and games to get the most out of your placement.
Where will I work in Costa Rica?
Heredia
As a volunteer teaching sports in Costa Rica, you will live and work in the university town of Heredia. This town is situated in the heart of Costa Rica’s coffee-growing country, 11km from the capital city, San Jose.
Most of our sports coaching placements are in primary schools. The children you'll work with will be aged between 6 and 13 years old.
A typical day as a Sports Coach in Costa Rica
You’ll spend most of your time at the school where you’re placed. Here, you’ll fit into the schedule of a normal school day.
School days in Costa Rica are split in two. Half of the children attend in the morning, and the other half in the afternoon.
Morning school runs from about 7:00 am to 12:10 pm. Afternoon school runs from about 12:30 pm to 5:40 pm. The hours you work will depend on where you are placed, but you will work 5-6 hours a day, Monday to Friday.
During the hours you work, you’ll provide assistance to a local sports coach or physical education teacher. In some instances, you may be required to run your own sessions with the children. You’ll help run coaching sessions and organise sport games that promote physical activity and healthy living.
In your free time, you’ll have the chance to explore the surrounding area. Heredia has an active cultural and social scene and has plenty to offer to keep you entertained. Its central location means that Heredia is perfectly placed for exploring the rest of Costa Rica.
What are the aims and impact of this project?
The main aim of this project is to give children in disadvantaged communities access to sports coaching. Many of the schools we work in have limited access to resources like equipment and coaches.
By coaching sports, you can inspire children to pursue healthy and active lives. Sport can be a great source of motivation for children living in difficult circumstances. Other than improving their sporting skills, sport will help children develop their self-confidence and learn teamwork and discipline.
This project also aims to give you the opportunity to experience living and working in another country. By joining, you’ll broaden your global perspective and learn about issues faced in developing countries. It’s also a great opportunity to develop skills like leadership and team management.
Join us as a sports coach in Costa Rica to impact the lives of children through sport.
Measuring our impact
Our projects work towards clear long-term goals, with specific annual objectives. Every volunteer and intern we send to these projects helps us work towards these goals, no matter how long they spend on our projects.
Every year we take a step back and look at how much progress we've made towards these goals. We put together a Global Impact Report, which documents our achievements. Find out more about the impact our global community of volunteers, interns and staff make, and read the latest report.
Food and accommodation
You'll stay with a host family in Heredia. They will welcome you into their home, eager to share their customs and have you teach them about your own culture. We believe that this is the best way to immerse yourself in the culture of Costa Rica and have a truly unique experience.
We will always try to let you live alongside at least one other Projects Abroad volunteer or intern at the same host family. Your room will be modest, but comfortable, clean, and safe.
Your programme fee includes three meals a day.
Find out more about our accommodation.
Leisure activities and free time
With more than 25% of its land protected in national parks, Costa Rica is a nature lover’s paradise. It has everything from volcanoes to tropical rainforests, and magnificent waterfalls to beautiful sandy beaches. This tiny country is also renowned for its biodiversity and boasts an array of wildlife.
Our projects are based in Heredia, a laid-back city just 11km north of the capital, San José. Known as the City of Flowers, you'll be surrounded by idyllic gardens.
You're never far from the coast in Costa Rica. Spoilt for choice by the number of pristine beaches, you'll have plenty of opportunities for water-based activities like surfing, swimming, or scuba diving.
There will likely be other volunteers in Costa Rica with you. So you can choose to explore on your own or as a group.
Safety and staff support
Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have the support you need to enjoy your trip with peace of mind. Our Projects Abroad staff are available 24 hours a day to help, and will be on hand to make sure you settle in well at your accommodation and placement. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.
Find out more about safety and backup.
This placement is fully researched, safety audited, and risk assessed in accordance with the British Standard BS8848 for the Adventure Travel Sector.
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