Hockey: Coach in Australia

1. What type of visa do I need and what are the restrictions?

UK citizens aged 18-30 are normally eligible for an Australian Working Holiday Visa.  This Visa enables holders to live and work in Australia for upto to 12 months.  It costs around £150 and can take upto 4 weeks to process so we recommend getting the paperwork sorted well in advance of your departure.

For more information see the Travel & Visa section in the Need to Know area of our site.

2. What’s included in the price of my programme and how much spending money will I require?

The cost of the Sport Lived experience programme includes the following:

• 4-star accommodation including most household bills (telephone and internet charges are NOT covered)
• organisation of your coaching programme
• airport pick-up at the start of your programme
• mentor support throughout your stay
• a handbook with useful information

The programme cost does NOT include the following:

• flights, insurance, visas, return airport transfer, local transport or food

Your main costs whilst overseas will be transport, match/competition fees plus food and beer money. A cost of living guide for each Sport Lived destination is provided in the Need to Know section. This should help you plan and budget for your time away.

3. Do I need to be an experienced coach?

No! To guarantee your coaching placement, you should obtain relevant coaching qualifications prior to departure.  This will give you the necessary skills to plan and organise coaching sessions.

In addition, gaining practical coaching experience will provide excellent preparation for your programme.

4. How much will I earn from my coaching work?

Rates of pay for coaching compare very favourably to other forms of casual work in Australia.  We can’t guarantee your rates in advance, but you can expect to earn $15-25 per hour.  Based on around 10 hours per week this equates to a weekly wage of $150-$250.

5. When will I find out full details of my programme e.g. who I will be coaching and where I will live?

Once you have submitted a booking form, we’ll start working behind the scenes to put everything in place for the perfect programme.  3-4 weeks later you’ll receive a confirmation document outlining your programme and providing key dates.

Final payment is due 12 weeks prior to departure, and once received we can finalise your programme.  We will send details of your new address and flatmates in Oz, and information on the school at which you will be coaching.

The pre-departure briefing takes place around 8 weeks prior to departure, and provides a chance for you and your parents to meet up with the Sport Lived team and fellow participants, as well as asking any remaining questions.

Upon arrival in Australia, you’ll meet the Director of Sport at your school.  He or she will then assign you to a junior team and let you know the days and times of your coaching work.

5. How can I find out more general information?

Hopefully, most key pieces of information are available on the website where you can download programme notes, prices and dates. Our Need to Know section also contains lots of useful information. If you have other questions or just want to have a chat, we’re always available either on the phone or via email.

We know that planning a trip overseas can be scary at times and there’s loads to think about. So don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need to discuss anything at all.

Working in Australia

You will be living close to lots of employment options like offices, shops, bars and restaurants.  Your Sport Lived mentor, and contacts made through your coaching placement, will be able to help you find extra work.

Overview

Our Australian hockey coaching placements last from 15-23 weeks (depending on your choice of city).  You’ll be working with a local Aussie school or club hockey team.  On average, coaches can expect up to 10-15 hours of paid work per week and, if desired, it’s often possible to supplement this with umpiring work.

Challenging

Coaches generally work with a hockey team for an entire school term, helping to develop skills and working on match tactics.  The structure of our programme allows you to build a bond with your team, and working on their development over a sustained period is highly rewarding.

A Sport Lived coaching placement is also a fantastic addition to any CV, you’ll develop organisational leadership and communication skills.  Having taken responsibility for a team of mini Aussies, you’ll probably feel ready for anything!

Qualifications

In order to guarantee your Sport Lived hockey coaching programme, you’ll need to obtain coaching qualifications prior to departure.  You’ll need England Hockey Level 1 Coaching Qualification or higher.  We also recommend that you get as much practical experience as possible prior to your departure.

In addition, you will require a basic First Aid Qualification (e.g. St John’s Ambulance or Red Cross).  

If you’re unable to obtain a hockey coaching, or First Aid qualification prior to your departure please let us know. Some schools are happy to employ coaches who just have playing and coaching experience. We can also help you to enrol onto a coaching and First Aid course when you arrive in Australia.

Further details of how and where to obtain hockey coaching qualifications can be found at the England hockey website.