Multi-Sports Community Coaching Experience in Bali, Indonesia
Swap the touchline at home for a sun-baked school pitch on Bali’s laid-back north coast. Coach football, futsal, basketball and more to sport-mad local children in Lovina, then spend your evenings by the pool and your weekends chasing waterfalls, dolphins and island sunsets.
- Coach football, futsal, basketball and more to energetic schoolchildren in Lovina’s local communities
- Shape your own sessions, with daily planning time and backing from an experienced local team
- Help young players grow in skill, teamwork, discipline and confidence, on and off the pitch
- Live in a sociable participant centre with a swimming pool, air-conditioned shared rooms and home-cooked Indonesian food
- Base yourself on Bali’s quieter north coast, a short walk from black-sand beaches and close to waterfalls, hot springs and dolphin-watching
- Free weekends to explore Ubud, the Gili Islands, Nusa Penida and beyond
- Weekly Sunday arrivals all year round
- Airport pick-up, all meals, project transport and 24-hour in-country support included
Sport in North Bali
Away from the beach clubs and surf breaks of the south, North Bali is a world of rice terraces, fishing villages and close-knit communities. Football, futsal and basketball are hugely popular with local children, and you’ll see games breaking out on any patch of open ground. What’s often missing is structured coaching, decent equipment and someone with the time to teach the basics. Many local schools have no dedicated sports coach, so energetic sessions led by visiting coaches make a real difference to how often children get to play and how much they learn.
The Community Sports Programme
You’ll join an established community sports programme run by our local partner in and around Lovina. It gives children at local schools regular chances to play, train and stay active, with sessions built around the school timetable and adapted to different ages and abilities.
The results speak for themselves. Recent training sessions have drawn around 50 young players at a time, working on passing, shooting, dribbling and positional play, and the programme’s players have finished on the podium in a tournament open to teams from across Bali. Donated kit, from football socks to futsal shoes, has helped players who would otherwise go without. Your coaching adds to that momentum every single week.
Please also encourage your friends to join you as it helps us do more in the community through sports events and workshops.
Your Coaching Role
As a community sports coach, you’ll help plan, set up and deliver afternoon coaching sessions for school-aged children of mixed ages and abilities. Football, futsal and basketball are the most popular sports, but this is a multi-sports experience: if you can bring volleyball, badminton, athletics, rugby, cricket, netball, hockey or anything else, you’re encouraged to introduce it. Variety keeps children engaged and gives everyone the chance to find a sport they love.
A typical coaching week might see you:
- Planning sessions and preparing equipment each morning
- Leading warm-ups, stretching and fun skills drills
- Coaching technique, tactics and positional play
- Running small-sided games, mini-tournaments and team challenges
- Mentoring young players on teamwork, respect, discipline and how to bounce back from a loss
- Sharing ideas and feedback with the local team at weekly project meetings
The sessions are yours to shape. Bring the drills you already know, try out new ideas and develop your own coaching style, with the local team on hand to guide you. You don’t need coaching badges; what matters is your enthusiasm, your love of sport and your willingness to get stuck in.
Cultural Immersion Week
If you have the time and budget, we highly recommend you adding in the cultural week. It’s a great way to get aquainted with Balinese culture and its beautiful surrounding area as well as meet others on your trip. Check out our add-ons and order it when booking the trip, or talk to us if you want any further guidance before booking it.
Criminal Background Check
We require you to complete a criminal records check in order to take part in this experience. We can accept those that have been done in the last two years if you have the certificate. In the UK it can be done through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), in the USA further details can be found on Travel.State.Gov, otherwise please search for your local service provider. We may also request a reference from a reliable source. You must supply these to us before departure and also take a copy with you to present to the in-country team.
Why do we require a criminal background check?
1) Ensuring a safe environment is conducive to learning, productivity and overall positive experiences for everyone involved.
2) We implement thorough screening processes and we are committed to safety and integrity, fostering trust among participants and the local community.
3) Conducting background checks serves as a preventive measure, deterring individuals with questionable backgrounds from attempting to participate in our programme.
4) Safeguards vulnerable people from potential harm within the programme.
Gap Year, Career Break and Student Sports Travel in Bali
Coaching sport in Bali is the perfect way to combine a gap year, career break or student summer with meaningful community work on one of the world’s most beautiful islands. Sports science and coaching students gain hands-on coaching experience in a new culture, career breakers get a refreshing change of pace, and everyone goes home with unforgettable memories, close friendships and stories to last a lifetime.
Arrivals are every Sunday, all year round, with the coaching programme running Monday to Friday.
You must arrive at Denpasar International Airport (DPS) between 06:00 and 18:00 where the local team will meet you and arrange your transfer to the accommodation, approximately a 3 hour drive.
Orientation
Your first Monday begins with a mandatory orientation to help you settle in quickly and coach with confidence. It covers a welcome and introductions, house rules and the code of conduct, the do’s and don’ts of Balinese life, an introduction to local culture and customs, and your project briefing and coaching assignments. From Tuesday you’ll be into the regular coaching routine.
Your Typical Week
| Day | Morning (09:00–11:00) | Afternoon (14:00–17:00) | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Orientation (first week)
Session planning and equipment prep |
Coaching introduction | 17:00 team meeting and feedback |
| Tuesday | Session planning and equipment prep | Warm-ups, stretching and coaching | Free time |
| Wednesday | Session planning and equipment prep | Coaching | Movie night |
| Thursday | Session planning and equipment prep | Coaching | Special group dinner |
| Friday | Project meeting and feedback, next week’s plan confirmed | Coaching | Weekend plans! |
| Sat & Sun | Free to explore Bali | Free to explore Bali | Free |
Visa
Indonesian immigration rules require participants on community and volunteer programmes to hold the correct social visa (currently the C6 visa), applied for before you travel. A tourist Visa on Arrival or e-Visa on Arrival is not valid for this programme. The visa is valid for 60 days from arrival and can be extended in-country.
An authorised visa service is available through our local partner at an additional cost. You’ll typically need a clear passport scan, your arrival and return flight tickets, a recent passport-style photo and recent bank statements showing sufficient funds (or a financial sponsor’s statements). Applications must be submitted at least one month before your arrival date and can only be processed once all documents and the fee are received. Full step-by-step guidance is provided once you’ve booked.
Sports Equipment Donations
Equipment can be limited at some placement schools, so donations of good-quality kit are always gratefully received and make a lasting difference long after you’ve gone home. Useful items include footballs, futsal balls, basketballs, a ball pump and needles, bibs, cones, whistles, stopwatches, football socks, shin pads and gently used trainers or futsal shoes.
Any equipment you bring must fit within your own airline baggage allowance, so check your weight limit before you pack. Tip: deflated balls pack flat and weigh very little, so pack a pump and inflate them on arrival. Please discuss how donated items will be shared with the local team so they reach the children and schools that need them most.
What to Wear When Coaching
Indonesia is a conservative country, and when you’re coaching at schools your shoulders and knees should be covered. Lightweight, breathable sportswear is ideal for coaching in the heat:
- Knee-length sports shorts, tracksuit bottoms or lightweight leggings
- T-shirts or sports tops with sleeves (no vests, crop tops or anything too tight or revealing)
- Comfortable trainers, plus astro or futsal shoes if you have them
- A hat or cap, sunglasses and reef-safe, high-factor sunscreen
- A refillable water bottle (filtered water refills are free at the centre)
Avoid clothing with slogans or images that could cause offence, and pack a light rain jacket if you’re visiting between November and April.
Accommodation
You’ll live at a welcoming participant centre in Lovina, close to the beach and within walking distance of the main road, with its cafés, restaurants, minimarts and massage shops. Rooms are shared with 4 to 6 participants of the same gender and have air conditioning, fans and hot showers. Bathrooms are shared. Bed linen is provided, but please bring your own towel.
There are personal lockers, lockable rooms, Wi-Fi in the communal areas, relaxation spaces and plenty of room to socialise, plus a swimming pool (open 09:00 to 17:00) that is very welcome after an afternoon on the pitch. The local team’s office is on site, so help is always close at hand. Private rooms may be available on request at an extra cost. Please note, alcohol is not permitted at the accommodation centre.
Food
You’ll enjoy three meals a day on weekdays and brunch and dinner at weekends (19 meals a week). Expect tasty Indonesian favourites such as nasi goreng (fried rice), mie goreng (fried noodles) and gado-gado (vegetables with peanut sauce), with tofu and tempeh for those who don’t eat meat, plus some Western dishes. Breakfasts include options like pancakes, French toast, toast and fresh tropical fruit. Coffee, tea and filtered drinking water are available throughout the day. Dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for with advance notice.
Evenings and Social Life
With a house full of sporty, like-minded people, you’ll never be short of company. There’s a weekly movie night and a special group dinner, and when village ceremonies take place you may be invited to experience Balinese culture first-hand (a sarong and sash must be worn, and by Balinese custom women who are menstruating do not enter temple grounds). Otherwise, catch the sunset on the beach, cool off in the pool or head to one of the cafés along the main road.
Weekends in Bali
Weekends are free to explore at your own pace, and the local team are happy to help you plan. Close to Lovina, you can take a dawn boat trip to see wild dolphins, soak in natural hot springs, hike to jungle waterfalls, visit Bali’s largest Buddhist monastery or snorkel over coral reefs. Further afield, discover the art and rice terraces of Ubud, the surf and cafés of Canggu, the clifftop temple at Uluwatu, or hop across to Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan or the car-free Gili Islands.
Staying Fit
Want to keep up your own training? There’s the pool at the centre, quiet roads and beaches for running, plenty of pick-up games with locals, and a gym in Lovina around 15 to 20 minutes’ drive away (pay as you go).
Local Facilities
Small shops for everyday essentials are close to the accommodation, with ATMs, minimarts, cafés and restaurants a 10 to 20 minute walk away. A local laundry service collects, washes, irons and returns your clothes for a small fee charged by weight. A local clinic operates in the evenings within walking distance, and a 24-hour hospital is around 20 to 30 minutes’ drive away in Singaraja.
Accommodation
Shared, single-gender rooms (4 to 6 people) at the participant centre from Sunday arrival to Saturday departure; air conditioning and fans; hot showers; bed linen; lockers; Wi-Fi in communal areas; swimming pool.
Food
19 meals a week: breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday to Friday, and brunch and dinner at weekends. Filtered drinking water, tea and coffee.
Arrival Pick-Up & Transfers
Sunday airport pick-up from Denpasar International Airport (06:00 to 18:00), or from a Sunday midday meeting point if you’re already in Bali; road transfer to Lovina; daily transport to and from your coaching placements Monday to Friday.
Training
Full orientation on your first Monday covering the programme, local culture and customs, safety and your coaching assignments; ongoing support and weekly feedback meetings.
Support
Pre-departure help and advice; visa guidance; local programme coordinators; 24-hour emergency support line.
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa and visa service fee
- Vaccinations
- Criminal records check
- Return transfer to the airport
- Airport pick-ups outside the Sunday window (extra charge)
- Extra nights before or after your programme
- Private room supplement
- Meals eaten out; Laundry; Weekend travel, accommodation and activities; Gym membership; Mosquito net; Spending money.
Preferred Duration
You can join for as little as two weeks, but we recommend at least three to four weeks. Longer stays let you build real relationships with your players, see their progress and make the most of your weekends exploring Bali.
Typical Hours
Monday to Friday; around 4 hours of coaching each afternoon, plus morning session planning and equipment preparation. Weekends are free. Public holidays, school exams and local ceremonies may occasionally change days and times.
Pre-requisites
No coaching qualifications are required, but some playing experience and a genuine passion for sport are essential. You should be of reasonable health and fitness, speak at least basic English, enjoy working with children and be organised, flexible and keen to take on new challenges. A criminal records check is required. Participants aged 65 and over are asked to provide a medical certificate confirming their fitness to take part.
Ideal For
Sports coaching gap years and career breaks in Bali; sports science, PE and coaching students seeking overseas experience; university summer breaks; and anyone who loves sport and wants to combine meaningful community work with travel in Indonesia.
Suitable for ages 17 to 70
Football, futsal and basketball are the most popular sports in the community and form the core of the programme. As this is a multi-sports experience, you’re encouraged to introduce other sports you know well, from volleyball and badminton to athletics, rugby, cricket or netball, depending on the facilities and kit available.
No formal qualifications are needed. Some experience of playing your sport at any level is important, and it helps to arrive with a handful of drills and games you can share. Most important of all is enthusiasm and a genuine desire to work with children.
School-aged children of mixed ages and abilities from local schools and communities around Lovina. Groups can be large, sometimes 50 or more players, so you’ll often coach alongside other participants and the local team.
Pack enough sportswear for a week of daily coaching, as clothes dry quickly but laundry takes a day or so. We suggest 4 to 5 sleeved sports tops, 3 to 4 pairs of knee-length shorts or lightweight tracksuit bottoms, sports socks, trainers (plus astro or futsal shoes if you have them), a cap, sunglasses, a light rain jacket for November to April, and a refillable water bottle. Shoulders and knees should be covered when coaching at schools, so leave the vests and short shorts for the beach.
Yes please! Balls, pumps, bibs, cones, socks, shin pads and good-condition footwear are all hugely appreciated. Just remember that anything you bring must fit within your own airline baggage allowance, so check your weight limit before packing (deflated balls are light and pack flat). Talk to the local team when you arrive about where your donations will be most useful.
Bali is warm all year, with temperatures around 30°C. North Bali tends to be drier than the south, but November to April is the wet season, bringing humidity and tropical downpours. Coaching takes place in the afternoon, so wear a hat and sunscreen, drink plenty of water and take shade breaks. Heavy rain can occasionally change plans.
Mornings are set aside for planning sessions and preparing equipment, and the coaching plan for the following week is confirmed every Friday after a project meeting with the local team. You’ll have plenty of freedom to use your own coaching methods.
The programme runs all year, but because it follows the local school calendar, coaching may be paused or adapted during exam weeks, school holidays and major Balinese holidays. In these weeks alternative community activities may be offered, and we’ll let you know in advance if your dates are affected.
Absolutely. Use the pool at the centre, run along the coast, join pick-up games with locals or sign up at the gym in Lovina (around 15 to 20 minutes’ drive away, at your own cost).
Transport to and from your coaching placements is included Monday to Friday.
You’ll need a social visa (currently the C6 visa), applied for before you travel. Tourist visas on arrival are not valid for this programme. Applications must be submitted at least one month before you arrive, and we’ll guide you through the process once you’ve booked.
Yes. As you’ll be working with children, a criminal records check (such as a UK DBS check) is required before departure. See The Detail section for more information.
Yes, if you are 17. We’ll require a signed parental consent form, which you’ll have access to once you’ve booked and we need you to travel with a friend who can be the same age as you.
Bali is very affordable. We suggest budgeting around £60 to £100 a week for snacks, laundry, meals out and local activities, plus extra for weekend trips, accommodation away from the centre and any tours you want to book.