Baseball Coaching Project in Argentina, Buenos Aires

Baseball in Argentina
Baseball has become an increasingly popular sport in Argentina, largely thanks to the cable and satellite services streaming Major League Baseball into many bars and people’s homes. Baseball gets a lot of exposure throughout the country, with many Argentines now following Major League Baseball from the USA. Unsurprisingly, more and more kids try to replicate the game in the streets, often with a broom handle and make-shift bases.

The problem in Argentina is that although there are thousands of children who would like to play the sport, there is not enough decent equipment, facilities or baseball coaches to meet the demand. This is where you come in. Not only will you provide structured coaching sessions and games for the children, you will also supply the much needed equipment such as, bats, balls, bases, gloves to play the game.

Your Baseball Volunteer Placement
Your baseball placement will consist of coaching baseball to children from a deprived area in Buenos Aires. All members of the team live and play baseball every afternoon, just a few minutes walk from their homes. The team called Las Aguilas, or Eagles was set up by an American coach to help give kids a better future, by providing life skills through baseball.

Around 40 kids of different ages and abilities train and compete each day, and also play in a local league. However, the figure is growing, and support is needed to help manage the increasing numbers of kids wanting to play each month. The team is therefore looking for volunteer baseball coaches who are passionate about the sport and who also enjoy working with kids.

As a volunteer coach, you will work alongside other baseball coaches, running fun coaching sessions and competitive matches for kids aged 8-17. They will listen, learn and grow in the sport as you teach them the various skills of the game. It is also a good chance to help them with their English languages skills, and to also improve your Spanish.

A key part of the project is to help the kids with their English homework before the training session starts. You will come across kids asking you how to say words in English, particularly if they relate to baseball.

You do not need coaching qualifications to join our baseball coaching project, just a basic knowledge of the game and some experience in playing baseball, whether from your days at school, university or club.

Your Baseball Coaching Role
At the grassroots level you will coach individual skills such as throwing, catching and batting. The kids come from different playing backgrounds, but the standard is often very basic. However, you will add a new dimension to their baseball by coaching drills they have never been exposed to in the past. You will also see that kids will appreciate to learn English while playing and making the most of your presence by asking you to mention some of the popular tactical game situations. At the end, you will experience the sense of friendship within the community and realize how quickly you will be part of the team!

Baseball training starts in the month of February, with competitive games running from March to mid-December, with a break in the winter month of July.

Your Baseball Training Placement
Although you may be required to coach everyday at the Villa Carlos Gardel, you will also have the option of joining training sessions in a high standard baseball club. Training is competitive and takes place twice a week in the evening, with matches taking place on either Saturdays or Sundays. On a social level you will make awesome friends as you share your love of the game with other locals from Buenos Aires.

A truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to soak up everything baseball, embrace a fantastic South American culture whilst doing something worthwhile with a new generation of baseball players.

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 or Career Break Baseball in Argentina
Coaching and playing baseball on a baseball gap year, student summer vacation, or career break in Argentina is a great way to experience the Argentine passion for baseball and a totally new culture. By volunteering as a sports coach in Argentina on a baseball project you will soon make lifelong friends from your gap year or career break summer sports holiday baseball coaching opportunity.

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 2 to 12 weeks.

Typical Hours
The Baseball sessions occur every week day afternoon for approximately 2 hours. However, you will also be encouraged to come 2 hours before the coaching session starts to help the kids with their English homework. There is an additional opportunity to play baseball twice a week, representing a local club. Please be aware that some public holidays may cause minor disruption to 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
Sports gap years, career breaks, gap breaks, gap years, student vacations and volunteer travel. For those that love baseball and want to contribute something back to another community.