BRITISH SOCCER SUMMER CAMP COACH

What does the job entail?
Coaches will be contracted to work for periods of 5 – 12 weeks. Contracts start as early as the first week in June and for consecutive weeks through the middle of July. All contracts will end in August at which time the coach will have the opportunity to travel if they wish before returning to the UK. The coach will work with a specific club/ymca/parks and recreation dept/high school for each week of the summer. At the end of each week the coach/group of coaches will then travel to their next location which could be as close as 1 hour away or as far as 14 hours away. There can be a lot of travelling at weekends but if you want to see and experience as much of the country as possible there is no better way to do it.

Who can apply?
This programme is open to experienced and motivated individuals over the age of 19 years old who are interested in working with children whilst at the same time developing their coaching skills.

What will a typical week look like?
Challenger British Soccer Camps conduct camps in every state of the USA throughout the summer period. Camp locations vary from those that are in close proximity to major cities to those that are in more rural locations. Each camp runs for 5 days Monday through Friday. Camp coaches will work an average of 30 hours per week to consist of three hours of coaching each morning and three hours in the afternoon or evening. Each camp is non-residential and will include boys and girls aged anywhere from 3 years to 18 years old. The ability range ranges from beginners to advanced, both individuals and teams. Coaches are assigned to a coaching group at the start of each week and this is determined by each coach’s qualifications and experience. Coaches will be expected to conduct a coaching clinic for local parents and coaches during the week together with an end of camp ceremony where parents, campers and coaches take part in an end of camp celebration.

Will I need a visa?
All candidates will be issued a J1 visa. Challenger Sports will be responsible for acquiring for the visa. This visa will allow you to work for Challenger Sports for a period of up to 3 months with an additional month for travel if you wish. All staff must fully comply with the US Department of Homeland Security requirements and must have a valid passport and working visa prior to departure to the USA. This will require each candidate to submit a police background check and be interviewed by the US Embassy in London or Belfast. You will be responsible for paying the 65 pounds US Embassy visa processing fee. With the present climate the Department of Homeland Security is scrutinizing all applications thoroughly and all relevant paperwork must be completed within set deadlines to the standards required. We have a full time member of staff in the UK who will guide you through the visa application and will provide you with the necessary forms to complete the process in a timely manner.

What about pay, accommodation, transport etc?
Coaches will be paid a weekly salary which will be dependent upon the hours worked. This will range from $170 - $250. Challenger will open a bank account and provide the coach with an ATM card. Each coach will pay a programme fee to participate in the 2007 summer camp programme. The Program Fee is used towards up front cost of securing working visa, comprehensive health insurance and to book transatlantic flight. The Program Fee can be paid as follows:

1st year coaches - 50 pounds deposit at the recruitment day, a further 150 pounds when they return their signed program agreement and a further 100 at the training week end. The balance can either be paid any time prior to departure or can be deducted from wages each week during the summer..

Returning coaches - 100 pounds with program agreement, 100 pounds with returned contract and the balance can be paid prior to departure or payroll deducted during the summer.

Transportation whilst in the USA is provided by Challenger in the form of rental cars. Each staff member will receive a coaching kit valued at over $400, together with a curriculum which has been developed over the years to implement the varied camp programmes we offer at each location. Challenger also provides a comprehensive medical insurance policy to cover each candidate for the duration of their stay.

What is the selection process?
The first thing you need to do is to complete the online application form which is found on the challenger sports website. You will select and interview day and location from the list provided on the website and we will then contact you by mail to give you information on the day’s events and prepare you for your day. All first time applicants to the Challenger programme must attend an Interview and Selection day.

After a brief introduction you will be given a presentation on the summer and what to expect by one of our UK Directors. The group will then go outside and after a practical coaching demonstration from one of our senior staff each candidate will then be expected to conduct a short practical coaching session within their group for 10 – 15 minutes from a topic listed on the website. The day will end with a short individual face to face interview to determine the candidates suitability to the programme. Each candidate will be required to bring with them to interview the following:-

Pen and paper
Copies of Coaching Certificates
Two passport size photographs
Two references and one character reference (downloadable from our website)
Copy of Drivers Licence
Passport
Football
Indoor and Outdoor clothing and footwear

All staff will attend an additional weekend of training and orientation in April. This will give the coach an opportunity to meet and work with his/her Regional Director (our full time Regional Directors are employed by Challenger in the USA to sell our services to soccer clubs, parks and recreation departments etc. We fly all of our 30 Regional Directors to the UK for this training weekend). You will also spend the weekend working with the group of coaches you will be working with over the summer. This gives you the opportunity to meet and make friends with other members of your group before you leave for the USA.

The training weekend will better acquaint you with our policies and procedures, camp programmes and the organization and administration involved in conducting our camps. It will answer any remaining questions you may have and get you fully prepared for your stay in the country.

Challenger Coaches will receive flight information well in advance of your departure. When the big day arrives you’ll step on the plane and look forward to being met by your Regional Director at the airport when you arrive!!! There are a number of forms that must be completed throughout your application process. Many of these are government forms that must be filled in completely correctly or they will be returned to you to correct and re submit.

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