Coach Sports in Moldova with Projects Abroad

  Moldova

Chisinau

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: Year-Round/Rolling-Starts

Description: Volunteer Sport Coaching Overseas: Football in Moldova

Can you name any of the current national Moldovan football squad? Thought not! Most people would even struggle to locate Moldova on a map. The Moldova national football team came into being following the split of the Soviet Union, as previously Moldovan players had played for the USSR national team.

Moldova is generally considered one of the weaker members of UEFA, but then again, with a population of just over 4 million people, qualifying for major tournaments was never going to be easy. However that does not mean the Moldovan supporters are any less passionate about their national sport.

At the top level there is fierce competition between the two big teams in Moldova: FC Sheriff from Tiraspol and FC Zimbru from Chisanau. Teams at the grassroots level however, find it a lot harder to survive. Lots of young players are forced to give up playing at an early age, as teams cannot find funding to continue. This means developing talent can be extremely hard, even for the best coaches.

Coach Football to Children with Projects Abroad

Due to the great success of our football development programme in Ghana, we have now decided to offer a similar football placement in Moldova. The project is available for anyone with a passion for the game, whether you are on a gap year, a career-break or as part of an extended holiday. The main idea is to help develop the skills and techniques of young people in the country, and through this to increase their future prospects.

We are working with one of Moldova's largest sports academies Sportiv Lyceum which is based in Chisinau. Essentially a school for children gifted with sporting talent, Sportiv Lyceum is proud to count one of the countrys few Olympic medal winners as one of its former pupils. Projects Abroad football volunteers will be helping Victor Afanasiev, a UEFA licensed coach with the running of three different teams: a junior side with ages from 5 to 12, a youth side with ages from 13 to 17, and an adult side.

Your Role Volunteering Abroad on a Football Project in Moldova

There are a number of different coaching roles you can undertake during this placement. In the mornings you will most likely attend the Sportiv Lyceum to help coach. If you have interests in other sports then do please tell us when you apply, as the school is always happy to have volunteers working in other areas. Daily timetables are split into two coaching sessions and one English or Mathematics lesson. You can also get involved in these subjects as well, if you wish.

During your time coaching football in the afternoons you will be responsible for the development of young footballers' basic skills and techniques. You will co-ordinate and plan coaching sessions around topics such as development of ball control, accurate passing, keeping possession and moving into space. Furthermore you will help your supervisor to plan match strategies and take practice games. You will probably be asked to assist in team selection and may even be required to be 'on the bench' for weekend or evening matches.

Hopefully once you finish your placement you will be able to raise awareness of Moldovan football back home and maybe even name a couple of their players!

Highlights: Moldova is a unique and interesting place to spend time on a volunteer project or internship. In the small, beautiful country of Moldova, Romanian and Russian influences and cultures meet. Moldova has always been a border state and was part of the Soviet Union before gaining independence in 1991.

Moldova takes you back in time. The pace of life is slower, the food is organic, the unspoiled countryside is beautiful and there is much for the culture-lover to appreciate in its strong heritage of arts and culture. You'll find villages with whitewashed homes and friendly people. The countryside is full of sunflowers, large caves and beautiful lakes. It's a fertile place that benefits from being close to the Black Sea.

All accommodation is organized, paid for and monitored by Projects Abroad. All project placements are regularly visited and checked. We require high standards of supervision and accommodation, which are verified before you arrive in Moldova.

This project offers the opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened of backpackers could never hope to do.

Qualifications: none

Cost in US$: From US$1,795 Up

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Open-minded with a willingness to travel.

Age Range: 16-80

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Moldova Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups of 2-5

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded: 1992