Sports Management Internship in Argentina, Buenos Aires

Sports Management Internship
As a Sports Management intern working as member of our in-country team in Buenos Aires, your role will be to ensure the smooth running of daily operations by supporting the local staff and our sports coaching volunteers. Your efforts will directly impact the on-going development of our partner sports NGO which operates in Buenos Aires, promoting education through delivering workshops and sports coaching clinics in the city’s disadvantaged communities.

We currently have 2 roles available as part of our Sports Management Internships, the first of which is a Volunteer Coordinator Internship and the second is a Sports Development Internship. The two separate roles are defined below. Applicants will be required to meet the criteria for one of the roles in order to be accepted.

The Internship Roles…
Volunteer Coordinator Internship duties include:
1. Delivering arrival induction and orientation sessions for new volunteers.
2. Attending placements with new volunteers during their first coaching / training sessions.
3. Providing volunteers with up-to-date information relating to their placements, transport in the city, social activities and excursions.
4. Taking photos of volunteers while they are coaching / training on their placements.
5. Ensure breakfast materials are always available at the accommodation for all volunteers. Using a shopping allowance (provided) to purchase breakfast materials.
6. Organising social events and activities for the volunteers.

Applicant requirements:
Basic / intermediate level of Spanish language prior to travel.
Graduate or undergraduate in Sports Management or related subject.
Excellent organisational and time management skills.
Confident, outgoing and friendly personality.

Sports Development Internship duties include:
1. Maintain on-going relationships with community members through regular communication relating to the NGO’s coaching clinics. i.e. time/date of clinics. (Spanish language experience is important)
2. Keeping a record of attendance for children taking part in the coaching clinics.
3. Keeping records of sports kit and equipment required for the coaching clinics.
4. Approaching local schools and communicating with the school’s Social Worker to identify the needs of the community. Introduce new educational workshops and coaching clinics for the school’s pupils.
5. Organising new sports placements and encouraging an increase in attendance from children from nearby communities (barrios).
6. Organising fundraising activities and maintaining communications with past volunteers to increase funding and donations for the NGO.
7. Approach corporate donors to help increase funding opportunities for the NGO.
8. Communicating with partners and agents, and maintaining international relations.

Applicants requirements:
Strong level of Spanish language proficiency.
Graduate or undergraduate in Sports Development or related subject.
Excellent organisational and time management skills.
Keen interest in Sports Development in the charity sector.

Benefits to the selected individual(s) will include:
1. Accommodation in our centrally located volunteer house in Buenos Aires, with breakfast included.
2. A fixed contract mobile phone for the duration of your stay.
3. The opportunity to join a local sports club and to assist on our volunteer projects.
4. Optional paid work as an English teacher. (Dependent on Spanish language proficiency and job application process)

To register your interest and find out more information please fill out an enquiry form stating which role you are interested in!

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.

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 porteños characteristic will easily help you to meet like-minded 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 placement, 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 Argentinians 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 participant 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 internship 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
You can come for a minimum of a month but to really make the most out of your time as well as being able to contribute to the local efforts of our charity work, we believe somewhere between 8 and 12 weeks is ideal.

Typical Hours
Working hours will weekdays from 9am to 5pm (flexible), with some evening and weekend work.

Pre-requisites
Applicants will need to have at least 1 year of experience in a Sport Management degree (at least 1st year completed), or a relevant field of work and be able to speak at least basic Spanish. A passion sport is highly recommended, and an out-going, confident and flexible attitude. Copy-writing experience would be beneficial but not required. Please send us your CV for consideration.

Ideal For
Sport Management Internship Abroad; Sports Development Work in Argentina; Sports Charity Work Overseas; Volunteer Coordinator and Management Opportunities; Student Placement; Graduate Placement.

Suitable for ages 20 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.