Hockey in India
Hockey is India’s official national sport and India’s national squad has earned a strong reputation on the world stage, consistently winning gold and silver medals at the Olympic Games. The speed and stick skills of India’s top hockey players really are something to marvel at. However, while there are many club teams throughout India, the sport remains elitist, largely due to the expensive equipment needed to take part. This means thousands of children do not get the chance to play and enjoy hockey in India. Therefore, by joining one of our hockey coaching volunteer projects in India, you can provide more sporting opportunities for young Indian hockey players, providing decent equipment, organising hockey coaching sessions and building or improving sports facilities in the community.

Your Hockey Volunteer Placement
Your hockey placement will be based in local schools around Udaipur. Access to hockey is very limited because, culturally, Indians only recognise activities as valuable if they have a direct benefit on their children’s career. The chances of becoming a professional hockey player are slim, so the schools rarely channel funds into playing hockey, or any sports for that matter. The schools are therefore very keen to welcome our volunteer hockey coaches into their schools to engage young people in sport. As part of your placement you will run coaching sessions in two schools in Udaipur, the first is an international school with modest facilities where you will run daily sessions working with different age groups, as well as the school hockey teams. The second school is a school for children with speech and hearing impairments. The children are hugely enthusiastic about sport and the school has its own hockey teams that compete in small tournaments throughout the year.You do not need coaching qualifications to join our hockey coaching project, just some experience of playing or coaching at a fairly good standard, be it school, club, university or county. This is because our aim is to provide more opportunities for young Indian children to play and enjoy hockey, not on finding India’s next Olympic hockey star – although you never know!

Your Hockey Coaching Role
Your role in the schools will be to organise hockey coaching sessions and matches for the children. The schools generally cannot afford to have their own Physical Education or sports teachers, so your involvement will have an immediate impact. These hockey sessions may take place during the school timetable but, usually, you will run after school hockey clubs. You will soon discover how effective your hockey sessions can be since many of the children are very talented but have simply never played in an organised team environment. By introducing the basic principles of passing, tackling and position holding, your hockey players will improve quickly. Organising hockey matches or sports days with other schools are also a great ways for children to develop a real sense of belonging with their team mates. The physical and health benefits of playing regular hockey are also an important part of your hockey coaching project.You hockey coaching schedule can include the following: Warm up routines and stretching guidance, rules and regulations of the game, positional play , dribbling and stick work technique, passing, different grip for styles, scoops and flicks, goalkeeping skills and techniques, corner moves and positioning, penalties, teamwork and strategy, goal scoring and shooting technique, hand / eye coordination and reflexes, as well as offensive and defensive team co-ordination.

CRB/DBS (Criminal Records Bureau) Check
It is required that participants complete a CRB/DBS (Criminal Records Bureau) check in order to take part in this project. We can provide this service for you at an additional cost because some people may already have one that is valid (please get in touch for more details).

Gap Year Hockey in India
A hockey gap year in India is the perfect way to combine gap year travel in India with a gap year hockey coaching project in India. Thousands of gap year volunteers travel to India on their gap year each year and our gap year hockey projects give you the chance to coach gap year hockey to disadvantaged hockey players while meeting other likeminded gap year volunteers.

Start dates are every week of the year with your activities starting on a Monday. We therefore request you arrive on the Sunday before to receive a free airport pick-up and transfer. Early or late arrivals will incur an additional charge of GBP £40 for transfer and GBP £40 for the additional night including food, so arriving on the Sunday will be your better option.

Your trip will finish on the Saturday morning when you will need to vacate the accommodation.

Note: The first week is centred around Udaipur and the surrounding area for a comprehensive orientation and induction week with the sports project starting on the proceeding Monday. Therefore, if you want to do at least 2 weeks coaching you should come for a 3 week trip.

Please also note that India is known for it’s festivals, so during some periods of your trip this may disrupt normal schedules. However, our in-country team are there to make sure you are kept busy and enjoying all aspects of your India experience.

Visa
British Nationals will not require a visa to enter India. For a stay up to 30 days you can get an evisa which is emailed to you. For longer stays up to 60 days, you are required to get a tourist visa. Anything over 60 days we will need to send you a letter of invitation. To read more about visa requirements you can click here.

Equipment Donation for India
To ensure a steady supply of sports equipment is available on our sports projects, part of your volunteer fee is used to buy decent equipment for beneficiary organisations in India. You will often get to use this sports equipment during your project and it is always left with the community when you leave. If an equipment donation is not appropriate, a financial contribution is made instead.

Other Volunteer Projects in India
Although our focus is on creating sporting opportunities for children in India, there are plenty of other areas in the community that need volunteer support. You will, therefore, be welcomed to get involved with a variety of non-sports projects in the local community, ranging from teaching in schools to helping at orphanages. This extra volunteer work adds another dimension to your experience in India, and these projects often become one of the most rewarding parts for our India volunteers.

Social Life in India
Although you are expected to work hard on your sports project, we also want you to have lots of fun in your free time. This is why we organise a variety of social activities to bring volunteers together and show you some of the best bits of Indian culture. The social side of your project is incredibly important and will provide you with some of your happiest memories in India.

Playing Sport in India
If you’re coaching sports with us, the chances are you love to play sport. That’s why we have links with a number of sports clubs in India who welcome you to get involved with training and matches. You will soon discover just how effective sport is for building cross-cultural friendships.

Travel and Adventure in India
India has so much to offer for a keen traveller and adventurer. Our in-country team will help you if you wish to travel to any of the fascinating areas of India that the country is so well known for. From the dazzling scenery of the Himalayas, to the cultural heritage of Agra, to one of the World’s largest camel markets in Pushkar, or take a walk on the wild side on the Rathambore Tiger Safari, there is so much to offer to keep you in awe of this astonishing country. Or simply use your free time to explore the amazing architecture and atmosphere of the “City of Lakes”, Udaipur!

As one of our Travel Advisors for more information about travel opportunities in India, and they will be able to talk you through the options available to you in your free time in India.

Accommodation in India
Your accommodation will be centrally located to your sports project. You will live with other volunteers in a comfortable and very sociable environment. Our in-country staff are present at the accommodation to answer any questions you have and to ensure you feel safe and secure during your stay in India. There is a communal dining area with full time cooking staff to prepare your meals. You can also use the kitchen to prepare your own meals or learn some authentic cooking skills from our local cooks. There is a television with international cable channels, a DVD player and a collection of movies – perfect for chilling out after a hard day’s project work. There are also other common areas where you will enjoy relaxing and socialising with your fellow volunteers. A number of computers (with internet access) are available to use as well as café where you can purchase local snacks. Telephones are a short walk from your accommodation.

Accommodation
Volunteer camp with shared rooms (2-8 people per room); Basic but comfortable; Shared toilet and shower facilities; Communal areas for socialising and relaxation designed with an authentic Indian style; internet access and use of a TV with international cable channels; Single and double rooms may also be available – contact us.

Food
3 meals a day are provided on weekdays, and then 2 meals per day on weekends; Basic but nutritious vegetarian meals are provided. Meals are of a typical Indian fare.

Airport Transfer
Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you are arriving early/late.

Training
A full orientation and project induction takes place in the first week centred around Udaipur and the surrounding areas. You will also receive full training relevant to your coaching role in the schools.

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

Donation
Part of your fee is used to buy decent equipment for the project and community you work with. If you wish to bring further donation, please make sure that this is in the form of equipment and not monetary donations.

Flights; Travel Insurance; Visas; Vaccinations; Spending money; In country travel; Payment for transport to / from placement; Laundry service; Extra activities not on itinerary. Departure Transfer.

Preferred Duration
There is no preferred duration but we believe that the longer you can stay the more you will experience and benefit. Please take into account that the first week of your project will be a cultural orientation in the city of Udaipur.

Typical Hours
Monday-Friday; 4-5 hours a day; 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. It is important that you can speak English. Volunteers are required to provide a valid CRB/DBS check in order to take part in the project.

Ideal For
Sports Gap Years and Career breaks; Gap Breaks; Gap Years and Volunteer Travel in India; Hockey Coaching in India; Sports Volunteering in Asia.