Hockey Coaching and Training in Argentina, Buenos Aires
By joining our hockey coaching and training project in Buenos Aires, you will make a huge difference to the lives of children who want to play sport as well as work on your own game. The Argentine passion for sport and your enthusiasm for hockey combines to help children in some of the poorest slums in the world – education through sport has both developmental and social benefits.
Hockey in Argentina
Hockey is considered to be the most popular female sport in Argentina. However, the introduction of the new all-weather fields has led to an increase in the number of boys playing hockey, and the total number of hockey players continues to rise each year. A high point of the country’s success is the second position in the World Rankings gained by the Women’s Field Hockey Team providing further encouragement for sporty kids to experience field hockey as an alternative to the already popular sports of football and rugby.
Hockey has been introduced into the Argentinean national curriculum as a result of the sport’s popularity and success. Clubs are also taking the sport seriously with long term development projects being implemented for the future of hockey. Despite the popularity, and the government’s ambition for the sport, some schools and organisations find it very difficult to purchase all the required equipment – including the balls and sticks – to play the game. It is also a challenge to recruit coaches with quality experience and training, making it very difficult for kids from disadvantaged backgrounds to play, let alone grow through the sport.
Your Sports Experience
Experience the thrill of Argentine hockey and the warmth of its culture on this immersive sporting adventure in Buenos Aires. Ideal for university students, gap year participants, or anyone seeking an impactful travel experience, this program combines high-energy community coaching with the opportunity to play in a country renowned for its passion for hockey.
Step beyond the typical travel experience and engage in meaningful community work. You’ll support local coaches in delivering multi-sport sessions to children from disadvantaged areas, primarily in the afternoons but with some potential for morning sessions too. These activities provide a vital outlet for local youth, promoting health, teamwork, and confidence.
The excitement continues with the chance to immerse yourself in the local hockey scene. You’ll be connected with a local club, where you’ll be able to train and potentially play in matches, depending on the club’s schedule. These sessions typically take place on evenings and weekends and are the perfect way to sharpen your skills.
We believe that a longer stay provides a more enriching experience for both you and the community. It allows you to build stronger bonds and to fully immerse yourself in the vibrant Argentine culture. Argentina is a country of breath-taking contrasts, and your weekends are free to explore, from the lively street art of Buenos Aires to the dramatic landscapes of the Andes.
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 Travel and Career Break Opportunities for Hockey in Argentina
A hockey gap year or career break in Argentina is the perfect way to combine meaningful travel experience. Sport is used as a tool to start teaching kids about community values and development. With a sports project you will soon find that coaching disadvantaged kids, learning a language and making loads of friends is a very rewarding and fun way to spend part of a gap year or career break abroad.
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.
Playing Your Sport in Argentina: We understand you want to keep up with your own training. We will connect you with a local club, providing a fantastic opportunity to train and play in a competitive and social environment. This is a great way to meet like-minded locals, improve your Spanish slang, and gain a deeper insight into Argentine culture. You can expect to train and/or play a few times a week, depending on the club’s schedule, which often includes evenings and weekends.
Spanish Lessons: To get the most out of your time in Buenos Aires, we recommend a basic understanding of Spanish. We offer optional Spanish language lessons that can be booked pre-departure. By booking in advance, we can assess your level before you arrive and tailor the tuition accordingly. The lessons are taught by native Argentineans and will develop your understanding of both the language and the local culture in which you are living.
Equipment Donation: We gratefully welcome any personal donations of sports equipment for the local community. It makes a huge difference to the children we support. However, it is important that any donations fit within your airline’s luggage weight allowance. For larger donations, we suggest contacting your airline in advance to inquire about an additional allowance for charitable purposes and asking them to note this against your booking. This will help ensure a smooth and trouble-free check-in at the airport.
Social Life & Travel: “Porteños” (people from Buenos Aires) are famously talkative and social. Joining a local sports club is one of the best ways to make local friends who will help you settle in quickly. Our in-country team also organises social activities to bring participants together. At weekends, you’ll have ample opportunity to explore the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires, known as the “Paris of South America,” or even venture further to discover the diverse landscapes Argentina is famous for.
Accommodation: A huge part of the social atmosphere comes from where you live. Depending on numbers, you will either be placed in a shared house/residence with other participants or in a homestay with a local family. All accommodation is centrally located with good access to your project and local amenities.
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 cost (please contact us for more details)
A Typical Weekday: Mornings are yours to discover Buenos Aires or participate in extra community sessions. You may also want to book our optional Spanish immersion language course to get to grips with local hockey terminology. After lunch, you’ll travel to the community project for an afternoon of coaching. A few evenings per week will see you training with a local hockey club.
Participant Criteria: We welcome participants who are 18 years or older and have a genuine passion for hockey and working with young people. No formal coaching qualifications are necessary, but a good understanding of the sport is key. The majority of participants are between 18 and 26.
What’s Provided: All the essential coaching equipment, such as sticks, balls, and cones, will be available for your use.
What to Bring: You will need appropriate sportswear for coaching and training. While we provide the basics, any extra hockey equipment you can bring to contribute to the project would be highly appreciated.
Ideal For: Hockey Coaching Holidays and Placements in South America; Sports Coaching and Activity Breaks in Argentina; Sports Coaching Gap Years and Career Breaks in South America; and Student Summer Holidays.
Suitable for ages 18 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.
The season runs from end of March to mid October each year, with a two week break in July. Pre-season training starts in February and there is still training after the season for those that still want to be part of a club.
Yes we have relationships with decent clubs who can fit you into their training programme depending on your level. If you want to play games during the season, then we’ll need to register you with the Argentine Hockey Association, which cost you approx. GBP £50.
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