At this project, you’ll have the opportunity to coach young people aged 5 to 17 at the Barcelona Football Academy in Sri Lanka. It’s an epic experience, especially if you’re studying sports or have a strong passion for Soccer.
As a volunteer, you’ll assist with ongoing coaching sessions at the academy. It's one of Sri Lanka’s leading Soccer training schools for kids and teens. You’ll support local coaches with training activities, and if you’re up for it, you can also help teach basic English alongside the physical training.
Training sessions take place in the afternoon, so in the mornings (8:30am - 12:00pm), volunteers can lend a hand at another project, like helping out at a local kindergarten. After the lunch break (12:30pm - 2:00pm), you’ll head to the field for coaching.
You’ll have the flexibility to run your own training sessions if you’re confident, or you can start by shadowing the local coaches before jumping in.
Damian
Vrijwilligerswerk is voor mij het delen van ervaringen. Hoe meer energie je erin stopt, hoe meer voldoening je er ook uit kan halen.
Imke
Ik heb het zo naar mijn zin gehad! Ik zou vrijwilligerswerk echt aan iedereen aanraden!
Marlous
Echt een geweldige ervaring en een top tijd gehad!
Kristel en Zoé
Hoe dan ook smaakt dit avontuur naar meer en hopen we in de toekomst nog met vrijwillig wereldwijd te kunnen reizen.
There are local football coaches and plenty of other international volunteers.
English is the main language used on this project. In general, English is spoken quite well in Sri Lanka, so you’ll manage just fine with the language.
This project runs year-round.
In Badulla, you’ll stay with a wonderfully kind host family. You’ll usually have your own room. Staying with a host family gives you a great opportunity to experience the local culture up close.
Three meals a day are included and home-cooked for you. Expect traditional local dishes. Wi-Fi is available, and laundry can be done on-site.
In Badulla, a regular driver will pick you up in a tuk-tuk or minivan. It’s a lovely and scenic way to get around Sri Lanka.
If you’ve got extra space in your bag and would like to bring something useful for the project, it would be greatly appreciated. Just check in with us first to see what would be most helpful.
Harsha will pick you up from the airport.
Take a look at our extra trips to explore what you can do in your free time. We have some amazing excursions available. Since you’re in such a beautiful location, it’s a great chance to explore more of the country.
In Sri Lanka, your contact person is Harsha. He speaks excellent English and is the volunteer project coordinator. You can ask him anything about your trip to Sri Lanka. He’s always there to support you.
Harsha is an incredible point of contact. Here's a photo of Harsha with his son and wife.
For this project, we’re looking for volunteers with a passion for football and coaching. You’ll support the Barcelona Football Academy in Sri Lanka by training young people aged 5 to 17.
This project is suitable for volunteers of all ages.
Passion for Football
Enthusiasm and a good understanding of football are essential. Coaching experience is a bonus but absolutely not required.
Initiative and Proactivity
Being able to work independently and take initiative is a big advantage. You’ll be responsible for helping to organise and deliver training sessions.
Patience and Empathy
Being understanding and patient, especially when working with young players, is important.
Cultural Sensitivity
Respect for local customs and traditions is key, along with a willingness to learn from the local culture.
Flexibility and Adaptability
You’ll need to be flexible and adaptable to different circumstances in Sri Lanka.
Communication Skills
Strong communication is essential to work effectively with local coaches and other volunteers.
Team Spirit
Teamwork is vital to the success of the project. A positive attitude and willingness to collaborate with others will help you make the most of the experience.
As a volunteer, you’ll assist local coaches in running football training sessions. You may also have the opportunity to teach English to the children. Training usually runs from 2:00pm to 5:00pm, with optional support in the mornings for other projects such as preschool teaching.
Your stay in Sri Lanka offers personal and professional growth, cultural immersion, and unforgettable experiences.
If you’re passionate about football and coaching, and ready to contribute in a rewarding but sometimes challenging environment, this project in Sri Lanka could be perfect for you. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of these young people.
We completely understand that having your child volunteer overseas can feel like a big step. In fact, it’s often just as exciting for parents as it is for the young person themselves, and sometimes even a little more nerve-racking. That’s why we want to reassure you that your child is in good hands.
Since 2004, we’ve been supporting volunteers and have guided many young people through meaningful international experiences.
We take safety seriously. That begins with carefully selecting our partner organisations, volunteer projects, and host families. Every placement is thoroughly checked to make sure it meets our high standards for safety, support, and ethical practices.
Our experienced and caring local contacts are always there to support volunteers throughout their journey. From clear pre-departure preparation to personal assistance during the project, we’re available to help whenever needed.
We believe strongly in open communication. You're always welcome to contact us with any questions or concerns. We’re here not only for the volunteers, but for their families too.
You can feel confident knowing we are fully committed to creating a safe, supportive, and positive experience. Your child’s wellbeing, safety, and overall happiness are our top priorities.
If there's anything you’d like to ask or talk through, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We're here to support you every step of the way.
Warm regards,
The Volunteer Worldwide Team
1 week of volunteering: $499
2 weeks of volunteering: $849
3 weeks of volunteering: $1199
4 weeks of volunteering: $1569
Each additional week: $285
*All prices are in AUD.
Before Departure
Online introduction call
Information pack with details about Sri Lankan culture and customs, as well as everything you need to prepare, insurance, money matters, and other travel tips
Pre-departure training
Support with obtaining a Police Check (VOG)
Access to the online volunteer community
Help with your visa application
Support with booking your flight (on request)
During Your Trip
Airport pickup and transfer to the project site
On-site orientation
Help with visa extension (if needed)
Ongoing support throughout your stay
Homestay accommodation with our local contact
Three meals per day
After Your Trip
Evaluation session
Certificate (on request)
Option to stay active in our WhatsApp community
Memories for life!
Not Included in the Price
Flights
Vaccinations
Visa
Police Check (VOG)
Travel insurance
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