What to Expect from Internships in the Philippines
If you want to know what to expect from internships in the Philippines, you need to look beyond the obvious. This archipelago of over 7,000 islands is famed among tourists…
Sports Coaching Internship in the Philippines
Home » Internships »
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Build a versatile repertoire of sports coaching and youth development skills helping homeless and indigent families in the Philippines
Gain practical sports coaching experience by running sports clubs and events for impoverished communities, creating a safe space for children to learn and grow. This is an excellent opportunity to develop hands-on teaching and youth development skills as well as experience in project management and curriculum development.
This program places you with a multi-dimensional nonprofit organization that provides an array of educational and youth development support to impoverished communities in Tacloban City. Operating from their own study center, they offer a range of courses and clubs designed to develop education, vocational skills, and life skills for children.
Your role as a sports coach intern will revolve around the sports clubs the organization runs. This will include both facilitating the clubs and developing the courses. You’ll build close relationships with beneficiaries and will get the chance to tailor programs to their needs.
Learning Objectives
- Hands-on sports coaching experience
- Practical skill-building in youth development
- Exposure to project management and coordination
- Development of relationship-building and people skills
- Exposure and insight into nonprofit management
ORGANIZATION
This inspiring organization is dedicated to empowering and uplifting indigent communities in Tacloban City through educational support. Founded in 2004, the organization provides a range of educational programs, courses, and football clubs from their own study center and children’s park where they help upwards of 200 children each year. Their aim is to not only support academic progression but provide vocational training and teach life skills giving children the tools they need to build a brighter future.
The organization is well-established in Tacloban partnering with and supporting schools and community-led initiatives throughout the city. They also arrange school supplies and transportation helping children to attend school. Having worked in the city for two decades, and supporting communities’ through the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan, they are well-integrated and have a proven track record of forging nurturing relationships with young minds.
TASKS & REQUIreMENTS
Coaching interns will help run the range of sports clubs and events the organization provides. You’ll be responsible for planning and coordinating clubs, providing coaching and guidance to participants, and preserving the clubs atmosphere of a safe, supportive space for the beneficiaries.
Note: you will be expected to work 6 days/week, although hours are flexible depending on the clubs. Leave can be requested in advance to take weekend trips.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement sports programs tailored to the needs and interests of participants, with expertise in volleyball, football, table tennis and badminton.
- Organize and oversee sports events, tournaments, and competitions in the specified sports.
- Provide coaching, instruction, and guidance to participants
- Ensure the implementation and success of the organization’s safe space initiatives.
- Collaborate with other staff members to coordinate logistics, equipment, and facilities for sports activities and safe space programs.
- Maintain accurate records of participant attendance, progress, and achievements in both sports programs and safe space activities.
- Ensure compliance with safety protocols and regulations during sports activities and safe space programs.
Requirements
- Knowledge, and ideally expertise, of volleyball, football, table tennis, and badminton
- Strong relationship-building, cross-cultural collaboration, and general people skills
- Excellent communication and public-speaking skills
- Comfortable taking on a leadership role, acting not just as a coach but a mentor for beneficiaries of the organization
- Highly responsible and capable of taking charge of large groups of children
- MUST have prior international travel experience or join the internship with a friend
WHERE YOU’LL STAY
Interns will stay at the organization’s own volunteer residence on-site the project’s complex. The accommodation includes a fully-furnished open-air shared room with fans, shared bathrooms, and access to a fully-equipped shared kitchen to cook meals. The house also has six cats freely roaming through it, so it’s great for animal lovers.
Safety & Support
Safety & Support
Tacloban is a relatively safe city but interns should exercise basic precautions like concealing their valuables and avoiding walking alone at night. The organization’s complex has its own security team, as well as 9 guard dogs (Belgian Malinois). Interns must also follow recommended medical precautions with TB, Hepatitis A, and dengue being prevalent in the area during the rainy season. General mosquito precautions should be taken, including wearing insect repellent and long, loose clothing in the evenings.
Communication
Communication
Interns will work from the organization’s study center with computers suites, workspaces, and strong Wifi. Alternatively, as a hub of business and commerce in the Eastern Visayas region the city has a strong infrastructure with solid internet connection and plenty of restaurants, cafes, and hotels with free Wifi. It is recommended to purchase a local SIM card to stay connected with family and friends at any time.
Meals
Meals
A meal package is available to purchase ON-SITE at the Streetlight complex. This includes weekly payment for daily lunch and dinner cooked by a local chef. These meals will consist of local Filipino food, but certain Western meals can be prepared upon request. For breakfast and snacks, you’ll have access to the fully-equipped kitchen at the accommodation. You can opt to purchase groceries and prepare all your meals in the self-catering kitchen or explore surrounding restaurants and cafes.
Location details
Location details
Tacloban City, the capital of Leyte province in the Philippines, is a bustling urban center with a rich history and culture. The city is well-known for withstanding Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, the strongest storm ever recorded. Since then, Tacloban has undergone significant rebuilding and development. It now stands as a thriving cultural and economic hub for the Philippines, and a testament to the community spirit and resilience of its residents.
DATES & RATES
Fee Breakdown
Internships start the first Monday of every month and arrivals are over the weekend. Exact start and end dates will be discussed with you during the application process.
What you’ll pay (2025 rates)
2 months USD 1,107
3 months USD 1,243
4 months USD 1,352
5 months USD 1,462
6 months USD 1,598
Inclusions
- Careful matchmaking. It takes time to find the right internship for each person, and we take this process very seriously.
- Initial interview with one of our team to gauge your skills, interests, and desired learning outcomes.
- An academic internship eligible for university credit. Check with your university to confirm if this internship qualifies for credit or alternatively we can assist you with purchasing transfer credits.
- Accommodation in a shared room (up to 3 pax). If you’d like a single room, please contact us for prices and availability.
- Airport transfers upon arrival and departure
- Wifi access
- Guidance with your visa arrangement and other preparations
- Development of an Internship Work Plan to help you reach your learning goals
- Onboarding with your supervisor
- Regular check-ins
- Support from the Roots team remotely
- A certificate of completion at the end of your internship
- A reference letter upon request
Exclusions
- Flights to Tacloban DZR Airport
- Visa and medical/travel insurance costs for the duration of your placement – must include cover for repatriation
- Meals (access to a self-catering kitchen or option to purchase a weekly meal package on-site)
- Drinks, snacks, and items of personal nature (f.e. curios, gifts, clothing)
- Costs for additional excursions or activities
FAQs
Some of our most commonly asked questions for programs in Philippines.
What can I expect from an internship in the Philippines?
During your internship, you can expect to get a glimpse into what it’s like to live and work in the Philippines. You’ll step out of your comfort zone, gain practical work experience, explore a new culture and environment, contribute to the UN SDGs, and learn valuable skills to apply in your personal life and professional career. All this, while getting to explore some of the 7,000+ islands found in the Philippines. Take walks on sandy white beaches, wander through rice terraces, dip into crystal clear waters, try tasty new foods, immerse yourself in history and culture, and enjoy every second of it! For more reasons to intern in the Philippines, check out this blog post.
Will I be able to travel around the country during my internship?
We believe an internship is more than just about your office work – it’s also about discovering and experiencing a new culture. You’ll be able to take advantage of your free time to get to the know the island and community that you are based in. Each internship has different commitments (some require a 6 day week), so be sure to confirm the schedule. To explore other islands in the Philippines, it’s recommended to plan time for an island-hopping trip after your internship experience. Be sure to ask your host organization for recommendations and must-sees!
Does my internship in the Philippines qualify for university credits?
It sure does! However, you’ll want to double check with your supervisor that your university approves the program. We can also assist you in purchasing transfer credits to add onto your internship experience.
Will I receive compensation during my internship abroad?
Unfortunately, no. When interning for a nonprofit organization, the placement will be unpaid, but there are different ways to fund your internship. Don’t forget, the wealth of knowledge and opportunities for both your professional and personal growth will be invaluable!
QUICK FACTS
LOCATION: Tacloban, Philippines
PROGRAM FOCUS: Community Development NGO
TASK FOCUS: Sports Coaching, Youth Empowerment, Project Management
LENGTH: Min. 8 weeks
COST: From USD 1,107
FEATURED REVIEW
HOW TO APPLY
If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:
APPLY
Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV to us.
SPEAK WITH AN ADVISOR
We’ll set up a call with you to go through your application.
INTERNSHIP MATCHING
If we feel it’s a good match, we’ll set up a call between you and the supervisor for this internship.
PAYMENT
If everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit, getting started with the booking process and all the info you need.
CONFIRMATION
Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.
NEED TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY FIRST?
Or if you’d just like to ask us some questions about this internship first, just fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!
"*" indicates required fields
RELATED PROGRAMS
Sports Coaching Internship
- Min. 8 weeks
- Accra, Ghana
- Sports Coaching, Program Development, Mentoring
Coach talented youth in Ghana in different sports, and help develop inspiring programs.
Find out more
Charity Event Management Internship
- Min. 8 weeks
- Accra, Ghana
- Event Planning, Youth Coordination, Sports Lessons
Plan and coordinate events for an inspiring sports charity.
Find out more
NGO Event Coordinator Internship
- January - May
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Event Management, Logistics, Budgeting, Communications
Use your event coordination and planning skills to help organize an environmental action summit.
Find out more
RELATED BLOGS
10 Reasons to Do an Internship in the Philippines
Imagine a place where stunning natural landscapes meet a melting pot of cultures, where professional growth is accompanied by personal enhancement, and where every day feels like an adventure. We’ll…
