Coach Sports Abroad: Coach Soccer in China

Sports club at night Soccer in China is increasing in popularity. While the national team still struggles to compete at an international level, more and more people are becoming involved in the sport and supporting local teams.

Chinese players going to play in European leagues attract massive media attention, and as a result also gain a large following. Many school children are eager to begin playing soccer and many soccer academies have recently been set up as a result.

Coach Soccer to Children with Projects Abroad

Argentina sports club

Volunteers working on our soccer project in China work at a soccer academy in Shanghai.

The academy is extremely popular with both local Chinese and expatriate communities. Over 400 children between 4-18 years old receive lessons at the club. Volunteers will therefore be able to coach a wide variety of different age groups and abilities, providing a large amount of diversity in the work you can do as a volunteer.

Whether you are taking your own class or providing support to the local coach, your help will be much appreciated by both the coaches and the students. Most children - boys and girls - have a great enthusiasm and an unlimited appetite for sports, especially when it is made accessible and fun.

During your time as a Sports volunteer in China you will be responsible for the development of the young players’ basic skills and techniques. You will help co-ordinate and plan coaching sessions to develop skills such as ball control, accurate passing, and keeping possession. Furthermore, you will help your supervisor to referee games.

Your Role Volunteering Abroad on a Soccer Project in China

Argentina sports club

When you arrive in China, you will be introduced to the students and your supervisor. Don’t worry if you have little or no coaching experience; the staff here are dedicated to their programs and very open to volunteers, so will help you in anyway they can.  You will be working alongside bilingual English/Mandarin speaking coaches, so communication won’t be a problem.

Volunteers typically begin work around lunch time helping coaches plan their lessons for the afternoons. The training sessions take place between 3pm and 6 or 7pm every weekday.

Volunteers can also work on Saturdays and Sundays coaching youth sessions. You can arrange to take a couple of days off during the week if you prefer in order to relax and explore Shanghai.

In addition to coaching the children at the soccer club, volunteers may have the opportunity to help with demonstration sessions at various Chinese schools around Shanghai. If you have coaching experience you can also be involved in coaching education sessions to improve the quality of the coaches at the club.

For those interested in business, there is the opportunity to be participate in marketing the soccer club.