Tennis Coaching Project in Argentina, Buenos Aires

Tennis in Argentina
Although tennis is not traditionally seen as one of Argentina’s main sports, over the years with the emergence of some top Argentinean tennis players such as David Nalbandian and Juan Martin del Potro, the government has been putting a greater emphasis on promoting mass participation and delivering tennis opportunities to the Argentine youth. The kids in the disadvantaged shanty town communities in Buenos Aires are extremely enthusiastic about developing their tennis skills, hoping that one day their passion and dedication to the sport will allow them to gain success and live a more prosperous life. Our tennis coaching volunteer project is their first step on the road to success.

Your Tennis Volunteer Placement
The tennis coaching placement is split into two projects aimed at different age groups and skill levels:
The first project involves volunteer coaches working with a government tennis project aimed at promoting the basic notions of tennis to local kids of 8-12 years old. The Government have decided to include international volunteers in this project as it helps the kids to learn English while promoting the work ethic and concentration that is at the heart of the sport. This project is directed at younger kids who are making the first steps as tennis players. The project aims are to promote mass participation in the sport, building the interest of local kids, and facilitating basic skill development through fun and engaging sessions.

The second project is focused on the coaching and training of teenage tennis players aged 13 to 18 years old. Through the work we do with the government tennis project, our volunteer coaches are invited to assist in the training and development of more experienced players, who may be training for competitions or who may be taking the first steps in becoming one of Argentina’s top young players (you never know!). This project is aimed at boys and girls who are looking to play at a higher level, who have a passion for tennis, and are looking to get more deeply involved in the game. The project aims are to increase the emphasis on skill development and strategy, with coaches delivering more focused sessions.

Your Tennis Coaching Role
You will be supervised by coaches who are hired by the government and they will ask you to help coach tennis to individual players in a friendly and quite informal set up. It will be a good chance to make friends and also play some tennis particularly with local players who occasionally play to a high standard. Your role will be to work alongside the local tennis coaches, helping to organise the training sessions. You will be able to assist the coaches in a variety of ways, for example, by taking smaller groups for warm-ups and fitness work, supervising specific training drills to improve certain shots and strokes, and also organising games and group matches. You may also be able to work with some players on an individual basis, honing certain aspects of their game, be it serving, backhand/forehand strokes or general movement around the court.

For younger age groups, you will help to run fun coaching sessions to introduce them to the sport, while for other players who already have a good grasp of the basics, your role will be to encourage a deeper technical understanding of the game. Coaches will ask you to try and teach the kids some English whilst coaching so it will be a good fun and you will also gain good exposure to the Spanish language as players will struggle to speak English.

The coaching activities take place in different locations within Buenos Aires using the public tennis courts. You will be involved with tennis sessions taking place in the morning and in the afternoon-evening, there is a gap in between these sessions that will give you a chance to rest and have lunch between sessions.

Summer Camps
Summer camps in Argentina run throughout January. These camps attract thousands of kids each year, and are run in conjunction with a government sports initiative aimed at getting kids out and doing something constructive with their summer holidays. Volunteer sports coaches are required to coach: football, hockey, rugby and tennis.

Criminal Records Check
We require you to complete a criminal records check in order to take part in this experience. We can accept those that have been done in the last two years if you have the certificate. In the UK it can be done through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), in the USA further details can be found on Travel.State.Gov, otherwise please search for your local service provider. We may also request a reference from a reliable source. You must supply these to us before departure and also take a copy with you to present to the in-country team.

Why do we require a criminal background check?
1) Ensuring a safe environment is conducive to learning, productivity and overall positive experiences for everyone involved.

2) We implement thorough screening processes and we are committed to safety and integrity, fostering trust among participants and the local community.

3) Conducting background checks serves as a preventive measure, deterring individuals with questionable backgrounds from attempting to participate in our programme.

4) Safeguards vulnerable people from potential harm within the programme.

Gap Year Tennis in Argentina
If you spend your gap year or career break coaching tennis in Argentina, you will have amazing sports gap year experience. A sports gap year offers you exciting gap year travel, close friendships and some unforgettable gap year opportunities.

You can arrive any Sunday of the year from the first weekend in January, ready to start activities on the Monday. We ask that you vacate our accommodation on the last Saturday of your trip, either for independent travel or to return to the airport for your international departure.

We run trips until the second weekend in December.

Please note that at times bank holidays and other factors may disrupt trips but we will make every effort to provide adequate activities whilst you are with us.

Equipment Donation
We believe that in order to develop a long term social sports project it is crucial the resources are made available to make a positive impact in the local community. Therefore part of the fee you pay goes towards buying decent equipment for beneficiary organisations in Argentina. You will often get to use this sports equipment during your project and it is always left with the community when you leave. In some cases, an equipment donation may not be appropriate so a financial contribution is made instead.

Spanish Lessons
Argentina is a Spanish speaking country so you will really benefit from having a basic understanding of the language. If, however, you are not a confident Spanish speaker, you can take lessons at our language school in Buenos Aires when you arrive, and also throughout your visit. The school offers a personal one-to-one tuition from native Argentineans who will help develop your understanding of both the local language and culture in which you are living. Beginners, intermediates and advanced levels are all very welcome at the school and all will benefit greatly from their time there.

The language lessons are usually for 2 hours a day to fit in around your placement activities. It does cost a little extra to attend the language school, but the benefits really are priceless. Not only will you be able to build stronger relationships and immerse yourself in the local culture, you will leave Buenos Aires with a transferable skill you can use for the rest of your life.

Social Life in Argentina
Social Life in Argentina represents an important part of daily life. People from Buenos Aires are commonly know as the “porteños” who have the reputation of being quite talkative. Not surprisingly, you will come across loads of cafeterias where people meet up and have long conversations. This particular porteño`s characterisctic will easily help you to meet likeminded people who love sport and love travelling. Therefore, by joining a local team club you will meet a great bunch of locals who will help you settle in rapidly and also teach you some Spanish slang!. In addition, our in-country team organises a variety of social activities to bring volunteers together, to share their experiences and, above all, have a good time.

Travel and Adventure in Argentina
Argentina is well-known for its amazing diversity of landscapes and also its vast extension from North to South. It is not by chance that it has become a very popular volunteer travel destination over the last couple of years. You will get ample opportunities to head out of Buenos Aires and explore the local area at weekends. A popular volunteer activity is to visit a farm on the outskirts of Buenos Aires and discover the beauty of the surrounding landscapes while getting to know local villagers!

There are plenty of things to do in Buenos Aires; from attending tango sessions to experiencing a traditional Argentine steak. Lets us know if you can finish it! It is a cosmopolitan and cultural city which has been developing over recent years. The so called Paris of South America gives its name to historical buildings and impressive palaces. Therefore, if you love sports and would also like to experience a taste of an interesting and colourful culture then Buenos Aires is a must-visit!

Playing Sport in Argentina
Besides the volunteer sports coaching projects, we appreciate that you might want to keep up with your own sport and fitness. Therefore, we have developed a number of opportunities for you to train and play in the sport you love. Apart from the fun of playing in a competitive environment you will also soon see what a great social opportunity this is to meet knew people a share sporting experiences. This will undoubtedly improve your Spanish and will give you greater insight into the lives of Argentineans and how they like to socialise. Therefore, you will have the opportunity to play your sport, learn Spanish in a fun environment while building cross-cultural friendships.

Accommodation
Accommodation represents an important part of the social atmosphere in Argentina. Subject to volunteer numbers you will either be placed in our shared volunteer house / student residence in Buenos Aires, living with the other sports coaches who are in-country at the time, or placed in one of our homestay accommodations, living with a local family in the city. The accommodation is centrally located to your volunteer project with shops and other useful amenities close by.

Airport Pick-Up
Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you are arriving early.

Accommodation
Shared house / student residence accommodation; Basic but comfortable; Shared rooms; Shared kitchen; Shared toilet / shower facilities; shared with other volunteers.

Breakfast
Breakfast is included at the accommodation, so please budget for lunch and dinner.

Training
Full project induction and local orientation given on arrival.

Support
Pre-departure help and advice; Local in-country team; 24 hour emergency support.

Flights; Travel Insurance; Visas; Vaccinations; Lunch and Dinner (Budget GBP £8 -GBP £10 per day), Spending money; In country travel; Laundry service; Extra activities not on itinerary.

Spanish course costs GBP £185 to book pre-departure or USD $210 in country for one-to-one tuition, 2hrs per day.

Preferred Duration
We would like volunteers to come on preferably an 8 or 12 week trip if possible. This ensures better management of the project and also helps you get the most from the social activities and group travel opportunities on offer. However, it is possible to come for any duration from 4 to 12 weeks.

Typical Hours
3-5 hours a day, 3-4 days per week; Occasional work at weekends but usually free for personal time and travel. Please be aware that some public holidays may cause disruption to times / days during your volunteer project.

Pre-requisites
No prior coaching experience or qualifications are required, but a basic understanding of the game and/or playing experience is necessary. You also need to be healthy and of reasonable fitness. Basic conversational Spanish is required.

Ideal For
Tennis Coaching Holidays and Placements in South America; Sports Coaching and Activity Breaks in Argentina; Sports Coaching Gap Years and Career Breaks in South America; and Student Summer Holidays.

Suitable for ages 18 to 70

Most participants are between 18 and 25, so please be aware of this. We do welcome older people because of the value and experience they bring to the community.