Multi-Sports Coaching Volunteer Project in Thailand, Hua Hin

To book an activity with us we require you to participate for a minimum of two weeks. Therefore, you would need to book a quantity of two for this activity, unless you choose a separate activity to go with it. See the ‘Related trips…’ section for more options.

Sport in Thailand
Probably the biggest and most known sport in Thailand has to be Thai Boxing (Muay Thai). Football is also loved by many Thais but the professional football league is still relatively new. The Bangkok Youth League provides the top level of youth football in Bangkok with a membership that includes teams from Thai Premiership Academies, such as BEC Tero and Chonburi Sharks, as well as local and International Academies such as iPlay Soccer Schools. It provides a structured, competitive environment for over 1000 players aged 6 to 16 years. Volleyball is also a popular sport but is practised more by women at a National level.

Many other sports that you maybe used to in your own country, such as hockey, rugby, netball, basketball and cricket are generally not that well known or practised. This is where you come in…

Your Sports Coaching Project in Thailand
In the school environment, sport is not recognised as an important part of the curriculum with children only receiving 1hr a week sport in either football or volleyball. With the support of some local schools we have set up additional sports coaching opportunities for a number of kids.

Your role will be to help our team deliver fun sessions with junior school children in a range of sports covering football and volleyball but we are also in a position to introduce new sports such as rugby, netball and basketball to the curriculum. Sport is a powerful tool to help kids perform better in the classroom environment so your support in helping us here is vital to improve learning as well as bringing kids together to have fun and also learn some English.

We also have a centre to run an after school programme for the local community, so we invite kids along to this in the afternoon to enjoy more structured sports and life skill classes that you can help deliver. Working alongside our in-country team and other volunteers you can have a unique experience whilst introducing new sports to kids and seeing the benefit this can bring.

You must come out on this project with an open mind and fresh ideas, so having some sports coaching and training drills up your sleeve will be helpful. Also bare in mind that it can get extremely hot in Thailand so covering up and drinking lots of water will see you through the day.

For your own benefit we suggest you do a one week cultural induction experience before you start your coaching project. This will help you settle in, meet other participants and you will get to learn important aspects of Thai culture. You will get to visit Buddhist Temples and even try your hand at cooking up a Thai dish. Speak to us if you would like to add this to your trip.

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, Student Placements and Career Break Sports Coaching Options in Thailand
This is the perfect trip for someone wanting to visit a great country, who loves sport and wants to do something worthwhile. A sports coaching project in Thailand can see you improving sporting opportunities for 100s of kids that could have a significant impact on their lives. Spend your gap year, summer holiday or career break doing something interesting and totally different.

You can arrive any weekend of the year.

Our pick up window from Bangkok International Airport (BKK) is on Sundays between 08:00 and 15:00. Arrivals outside this will incur a further charge. The transfer time to Hua Hin is approximately 3hrs.

Note from mid March, mid May and all of October it is school holidays, so various camps are put on to serve the community. There will be games and outdoor activities delivered. Additionally you will be offered other placement work in the community if you want it and what is relevant at the time you visit.

Location
Located just 280 kilometres southwest of Bangkok, Hua Hin is one of Thailand’s most popular beach destinations for locals and Expats alike. It is convenient and ever developing because it is where the city meets the sea. Here you will find scrumptious seafood, lively markets, never-sleeping bars, long beaches, and palm tree-decorated landscapes which have turned this former fishing enclave into a what is now a bustling town, brimming with anything and everything a visitor, tourist, or traveler could ever want!

Accommodation & Food
About the Accommodation
Our centre is located in the hilly countryside of Prachuap Khiri Khan province amidst green surroundings. The accommodation consists of spacious rooms. There is a common area with a refrigerator, hammocks and a large communal swimming pool for you to chill. View photos in our Hua Hin accommodation album.

Available Room Types

* 3 meals on weekdays, 2 on weekends
** Water, coffee, tea at the accommodation
*** You can hand wash for free, or PAY to use on-site machines or to take it to the local laundrette
**** Bring your own padlock (a slim one, so it fits through the zipper)
***** At extra cost
****** Air con will be available from 20:00-08:00

Food Arrangements
All the meals served inside the accommodation are homestyle, vegetarian-friendly and you can expect that they will be typically Thai, including plenty of rice or noodle dishes with vegetables and occasionally some meat will be provided as well, along with seasonal fruits for dessert.

While we do our best to accommodate our participants, what we provide for most meals is local cuisine. If you are a picky eater, have dietary restrictions, or if you think that you will not be satisfied with the local dishes provided, you might want to consider supplementing our menu with your own western type foods and snacks that are more to your liking. From our accommodation and you can use our bikes to ride to a few convenience stores nearby. Please keep in mind that refrigerator space is limited and to prevent insect infestation open food items are not allowed in the rooms.

Facilities
Most of your day will be spent in Hua Hin city centre, where all amenities can be found.

Mandatory Orientation Day
On the Monday of your first week at this location, you will join our orientation day, to familiarise you with the surroundings as well as local culture. Your program will continue as usual from Tuesday onward throughout the rest of the week.

Schedule

• Introduction meeting, House rules, Setting Expectations, Health and Safety Advice and handling of documents
• Thai Do’s and Don’ts, Thai Culture Lessons and Thai Language Lessons
• Tour around the compound and local area where to find local shops, and arrange a sim-card if necessary
• Visit a famous Buddhist temple nearby
• Lunch
• Visit the beach

Activities & Events
Tuesday Evening
You will go to the night market in Hua Hin city. Try some of the delicious local food that is freshly cooked and instantly served to you. Taste a variety of inexpensive street food.

Wednesday Evening
You will go to the night market in Hua Hin city. Try some of the delicious local food that is freshly cooked and instantly served to you. Taste a variety of inexpensive street food.

Friday Evening
You will go to the Cicada Market, a colourful night market offering freshly cooked food from different shopkeepers. Look around the many art exhibitions, see the local handmade products and souvenirs which are very attractive and listen to live music featuring local artists.

Sights & Surroundings
Hua Hin is a lively fisherman-town and popular tourist destination, and it has a lot to offer besides just sunbathing, snorkelling and swimming at its golden beaches. Not only are there plenty of seafood restaurants and other eateries to choose from, but visitors can also enjoy golf, spas, shops, markets (including a popular night market), and Hua Hin’s Vana Nava water park.

You might also consider visiting Khao Tekiab, a mountain at the end of the beach with a temple atop that overlooks the beach.

Hua Hin is also surrounded by beautiful national parks and you might decide to go slightly further afield to explore the likes of the Pa La-U Waterfall, located 60 km west of Hua Hin in the south side of the Kaeng Krachan National Park. Alternatively, 45 km to the south of Hua Hin is the mystical Phraya Nakhon cave for the more adventurous!

Accommodation
Spacious accommodation with a mix of private and shared rooms (1-4 people per room); Basic but comfortable; Private bathroom; Communal areas for socialising and relaxation designed with an authentic Thai style; swimming pool; internet access; single and double rooms are 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 on offer are of typical Thai cuisine often including rice and noodles and occasionally some meat for the non-vegetarians.

Airport Transfer
Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you are arriving early/late. You will be supported at the end of your trip in your onward travel.

Training
A full orientation and project induction takes place. You will also receive full training relevant to your volunteer role.

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 it is in the form of equipment and not monetary donations.

• Flights
• Travel Insurance
• Visas
• Vaccinations
• Spending money
• In country travel
• 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.

Typical Hours
Breakfast is usually at 8:00. You will leave shortly after and head out to the school for morning coaching sessions with different year groups. At approx 15:30 each day the After School Programme will start. The will be Mon to Fri.

Pre-requisites
A good base knowledge in the sports you want to coach. It’s also highly important that you come out with training drills and ways to get the kids enthusiastic.

Ideal For
Gap year students, summer holidays, students on a sports related degree, career breakers, sports coaches

Suitable for ages 17 to 80

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.