Why does this organization need volunteers?

This placement has requested for additional assistance from volunteers because they need support to ensure they can continue to provide consistent classes to the students at Escuela de Talento de Futbol. During January until August the students at the school are involved in strenuous training exercises. The training season is very intense and the students who attend are as young as seven years of age. Therefore the coaches are required to create soccer drills, practices and implement games on a regular basis so the students can prepare for the tournaments that happen from September to December.

In addition, the volunteers who have a background in sports medicine or who are an orthopaedic specialist would play a major part helping to work with staff and students to learn about various things regarding sports medicine. As a sports medicine volunteer you would be valuable to this placement because they are asking for someone to provide information in sports or exercise related injuries. They would like a volunteer who would be willing to share their ideas about how to deal with injuries and also discuss various preventative methods.

This organization has requested for this type of volunteer because they work with talented students who may have the opportunity to go to more competitive leagues and make soccer a career. In the Carzo region, unemployment rates are as high as 80% in some areas therefore this is a very special opportunity for many of the students. As a result, the coaches are eager to learn about all the different ways that injuries can be prevented. Also, they want to learn about the different ways an injury can be handled and what exercises that the students can do to ensure that they heal properly.

In addition, a sports medicine volunteer can play a major part in helping train the students during this period. Extra people are required to implement drills, referee games, help students on a one-on-one basis to improve their skills and provide new techniques and ideas to the students and staff. During the training period it is a very intense time for coaches and they always welcome additional support to provide stimulating classes, more one-on-one time with each student and to develop training ideas for the students at each level.

Escuela de Talento de Futbol welcomes international volunteers for the positive cultural exchange and the added value of learning soccer skills from someone from a different country. The coaches from Escuela de Talento de Futbol believe that volunteers can really help the children's development and understanding of soccer as the volunteer will bring new ideas such as: drills, strategies about the game and different exercises that will enhance their performance.

Foreign volunteers who offer a new perspective from a different culture are always welcome at this organization. The new leadership and motivational techniques that a volunteer can bring is invaluable for this organization because hopefully some of these students make it to more advanced leagues where they will be playing against teams around the world. Therefore learning soccer from someone who will have new ideas about how to play the game will help the students become more diverse players and will help to deepen their knowledge about the game.

What tasks will you be required to fulfil?

Volunteers at this placement would be involved with the following tasks:

1)Provide sports medicine training to coaches and staff at the school. This would include first aid, how to provide medical support to injured players (ie. sprained ankles, twisted knees etc).

2)Provide information sessions to players and coaches about different stretches and exercises that will help players prevent injuries.

3)Teach coaches and students about what recommended exercises there are if they do get hurt and have a sprained ankle or an injury. This may require producing a book that would be translated into Spanish so that it can be given to the coaches as an manual, however, it would be important for the volunteer to include detailed procedures regarding each type of injury and the necessary follow-up treatment.

4)Working to ensure that the first aid kit is up to date and help to make an inventory list as to what is required in the first aid kit and a schedule as to when it should be checked.

5)Discuss the importance of things like - drinking a certain amount of water to avoid dehydration, nutritional importance - eating well before and after a game. This can help avoid players from getting run down or dehydrated resulting in unnecessary illness.

6)If during your volunteer period there are other teams that come to visit you could certainly ask to work with their coaches to provide the same training and also be the medical assistant during each game so that if someone does get hurt you can demonstrate the procedures and materials you would use to help an injured player and provide them with advice as to what exercises they should do.

7)The other area that a volunteer with this background would be responsible for is working with coaches and students to develop injury evaluation systems and recovery programs. This is important because if a student becomes injured it is important to know how to evaluate the extent of the injury and what medical attention is required and what type of recovery program (ie. exercises, follow-up medical attention and what type of first aid equipment will the injured player need).

How many days per week will you be working?

Volunteers will be asked to come to the school from Monday through Friday.

How many hours per day?

Volunteers will work from 2 pm to 5 pm, except when teams are practicing all day. If the volunteer desires to work mornings we'll be more than happy to find an additional placement nearby, so she/he can spend the morning volunteering and the afternoon at the FIFA school. The organizations that the volunteer could work at include: Ebeneezer School and Hogar Infantil School, in a number of different jobs and possibly as sports instructors.

What age-range will you be working with?

There are eight staff members at Escuela de Talento de Futbol between the ages of 25-60. The school trains student athletes between the ages of 6 to 16, and there is also a group of professional players who are based at this center between the ages of 18-29.

What kind of background may be useful at this placement?

It is important that volunteers have knowledge and experience in athletics and team sports. Coaching experience is an asset, but effective leadership skills are essential. Some basic knowledge of the Spanish language is necessary to communicate with the students.

Will you be required to operate any special equipment?

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What personality traits would be useful for a volunteer at this placement?

This school is looking for volunteers who are dedicated, responsible, and willing to work in the spirit of cooperation with the staff. Must enjoy taking the initiative and have the stamina to work in this very active program with the children.

Who may have a difficult time at this placement?

Volunteers may have a difficult time if they do not enjoy the sports taught at this placement and/or would prefer a broader scope than working only with children.

What specific skills are they looking for at this placement?

What is the purpose of this organization?

Escuela de Talento de Futbol is a soccer school whose aim is to teach soccer to children ages 7-13 and instil a passion for the sport among the children who attend. The meaning of "Escuela de Talento de Futbol" in English is "Soccer Talent School" and was started to not only promote the sport but train and select the best football players in the department of Carazo for the various sport leagues and also provide them with medical care such as orthopaedics specialists for those who are injured in football practice.

The school is located on a large plot of land on the outskirts of Diriamba, a city located in the department of Carazo. In a country such as Nicaragua, where soccer is an unbelievably popular sport, many children dream of one day playing professional soccer. As a result, in 2002 FIFA founded the Escuela de Talento de Futbol and now sponsors over 50 children at the school.

Any child is welcome to attend (free of cost). In addition to encouraging children to achieve their goals, Escuela de Talento de Futbol keeps children off the street in the afternoon and provides a safe, stimulating and fun alternative: soccer.

Soccer training and practice runs Monday-Friday from 2:00pm-5:00pm. Children attend public school in the morning and Escuela de Talento de Futbol in the afternoon to ensure they are receiving a balanced education.

Some of the children who attended the Escuela de Talento de Futbol have gone on to play for the Diriangen, Diriamba's professional soccer team and have competed internationally in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and the United States. Not only does the school give children the opportunity to accomplish their dreams, but it enables them to become productive members of society.

What community(s) does this organization assist?

The majority of children who attend Escuela de Talento de Futbol live in the department of Carazo. Both girls and boys who live in the cities of Jinoetepe and Diriamba attend.

Many of these children are deeply affected by poverty and without the FIFA sponsorship, they would never have the chance to attend a school such as Escuela de Talento de Futbol. This school helps to keep children off the street and engages them in fun, proactive activity.

Does this organization have any religious affiliations?

This organization does not have any religious affiliations.

When was this organization founded?

Escuela Talento Futbol was founded in April, 2002.

How are they funded?

This organization is funded by FIFA. (Federacion Internacional de Futbol Asociado)

How many people at the organization speak English?

One staff member at this organization speaks English.

If you find sponsors interested in sending donations, here is what they need:

Donations of soccer balls, t-shirts or uniforms, vitamins, first-aid kits, pilons, soccer nets, corner flags, whistles, water bottles, dry erase clipboards, stop watches, cleats, shin pads, socks or pinnies would be greatly appreciated at this organization.

Location description

Escuela de Talento de Futbol is a sport school located on the outskirts of Diriamba. The city is well known for one of the best football (soccer) teams in the country, and is a city where many children play football in the streets and dream of becoming professional football (soccer) players. Soccer is a very popular sport in Nicaragua at both a recreational and a professional level. Although baseball is the national sport of the country, soccer is a favorite pass-time for many people in Nicaragua. FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) decided to purchase an area of approximately 10 acres where they built a two-room classroom school, six football fields and an auditorium so that people can come to watch the football games. All of this was financed by FIFA to help promote football in the Carazo region and provide a place for children who are extremely talented soccer players to have a place to develop their skills and have a chance to play in more competitive leagues.

In 2002, FIFA decided to build a facility that included dorm rooms for visitors and students who attend the soccer school. The reason FIFA decided to open these dorms was because they wanted to provide a place for children who lived out of the Diriamba area and who could not commute thus they needed a place to live while going to the football (soccer) school. Also at times, visiting teams from within Nicaragua and from different parts of Central America come to Escuela de Talento de Futbol and stay in the dorm rooms so that they can participate in tournaments and skill development workshops that are organized at the school.

The dorm facilities are very nice and spacious. They include a dining room, a kitchen, an office and a conference room. The conference room is used for award ceremonious, presentation of metals after tournaments plus at times large workshops. All students that stay in these dorm rooms are funded by FIFA so that their accommodations and meals while going to the football school are covered. The children are also placed in local schools throughout Diriamba during the year(s)they spend training at the Escuela de Talento de Futbol as it is important that the children who attend the football (soccer) school receive regular classes in addition to the football training.

Escuela de Talento de Futbol, is located in the Carazo Department (state) of Nicaragua. The Carazo Department (state) is located in the south-west of Nicaragua and is approximately 40km south of the capital city, Managua. This department has an approximate population of 177,000 people and encompasses the 8 cities of: Diriamaba, Dolores, El Rosario, Jinotepe, La Conquista, La Paz de Carazo, San Marcos and Santa Theresa. The cities in the Carazo department are much better known than the department itself.

Though the Carazo department has 8 cities within its borders, Jinotepe, Diriamba and San Macos are the three main cities that attract people to the area. San Marcos, is the closest to Managua and Jinotepe is located right on the Pan-American Highway. The main roads to the beaches of La Boquita and Casares start at Diriamba, and Diriamba is also close to the eco-tourism centre La Maquina.

Most of the Carazo department is located on a plateau at elevations up to 700 metres above sea level, however, the department extends all the way to the Pacific Ocean. The entire area is known for its rich and vibrant culture, historic architecture, eco-tourism and its beautiful beaches.

Carazo is an important producer of coffee, sugarcane and sesame seeds, which are farmed by the people living in rural areas surrounding the cities. Many farmers from rural villages travel into the cities of San Marcos, Jinotepe and Diriamba every day to sell their crops at the markets and on the streets.

Carazo has a diverse demographic that encompasses many different types of people ranging from rural indigenous farmers to university students studying at the Universidad Nacional (National University) or at one of the private universities in Jinotepe. Carazo is well known for its friendly people and warm atmosphere and is a great location to visit while in Nicaragua!

Historical significance of the area

The creation of Escuela de Talento de Futbol has made a major difference in the community of Diriamba. The community has become the place in Nicaragua where soccer fanatics want to visit to watch matches and to learn more about the sport. It has also given the opportunity to children around the country, who demonstrate strong soccer skills, a school to go to that will help enhance their talent.

Over the years, the center has trained some of the best soccer players in the country. The daily training sessions provided by the school are very significant in an athletes development because it establishes that dedication, team work and daily training that is required in order to become really good at any sport!

Diriamba is the birthplace of football in Carazo and players are very proud of their school. Now they can share experiences with other players from other countries coming to Nicaragua to learn at Escuela de Talento de Futbul. Historically this has helped the students who attend the school increase their understanding of the sport, share their skills, develop friendships with people from different parts of the country and Central America. This school has been praised for its accommodations and amenities as it has all the requirements that soccer players need at all levels including national and international competitive leagues.

The establishment of this organization has also provided the community of Diriamba a new source of income for those who work in the markets, own a restaurant or have a hostel. Many people travel to the school to participate in tournaments, visit their children or come from surrounding communities to watch events; these same people buy things during their visits and as a result, it has helped the community of Diriamba to improve the overall economy in a region where most people live below the poverty line.

Carazo has a rich history and was home to many fluctuating indigenous people before the arrival of the Spanish. The city of Diriamba was home to an indigenous leader named Dirianger who was a great example of the spirit of native resistance against the Spanish. One legend has it that once Dirianger realized that colonization was inevitable, he sacrificed himself by walking into a cave full of tigers rather than negotiate with the Spanish.

The city of Jinotepe used to be an indigenous town named “Xilotepelt” which means “Corn Hill” in the native Nahuatl language. Once the Spanish started to colonize the area in the 1500's, Jinotepe started to develop into a city. Today, Jinotepe is classified as semi-colonial because it has a lot of architecture from the colonial era as well as many modern buildings.

Around the 17th century, a satirical play called El Gueguense was produced by an unknown author. The play was passed down in oral history until 1942 when it was finally written and made into a book. El Gueguense is a way that the indigenous people mocked the Spanish and the play is performed in January during the feast of San Sebastian in Diriamba.

What is the weather like?

Nicaragua is a tropical country that has two seasons: a wet season and a dry season. Temperatures in Nicaragua vary little with the season and largely it depends on the elevation. The wet season is between May and December and the dry season is between January and April. Rainfall varies throughout the country and the eastern area gets more rain than the west. In the east of Nicaragua, the rainy season can often last longer than the usual 6 months.

There are three different climate zones in Nicaragua. The lowlands, which have an altitude of up to 750 metres above sea level and have temperatures that range from 22 degrees Celsius at night to 30 degrees Celsius during the day. The Central highlands at an elevation of 750 metres to 1,600 metres above sea level have temperatures that range between 15 degrees Celsius at night to 25 degrees Celsius during the day. The highlands, often referred to as the “tierra fria” (the cold land) have much lower temperatures than the other two climate zones and temperatures get to below 15 degrees Celsius at night and peak at around 22 degrees Celsius during the day.

What fun things are there to do in the area on days off?

Mombacho Volcano, near the city of Granada, is always a favourite weekend destination for volunteers. The Mombacho Volcano Nature Reserve is on one of the most highly protected areas in Nicaragua and is home to many unique species that are found only in that area. In addition, previous volunteers have enjoyed going to Mombacho Volcano to explore the cloud forest as it has unique eco-logical characteristics that are not found in any other cloud forests in Nicaragua. A cloud forest or a fog forest is generally comprised of tropical or subtropical evergreens with a low cloud coverage on tips of the trees. While walking through the forest you will find yourself in the mist of the clouds that falls around the top of the tree canopy. Cloud forests are also know to have various mosses that grow on the forest floor. There is also dense vegetation that differs in each region but usually contain large ferns and plants that do not need direct sunlight.

Near the city of Granada you can go on a tour of a coffee plantation and learn how coffee is grown and processed. Many volunteers find this extremely interesting, especially the ones that are coffee fanatics!

The city of Granada is also definitely worth exploring; especially if you are interested in experiencing the Nicaraguan nightlife. The city is very popular with travelers and has many incredible bars and restaurants that cater to a variety of tastes. As the oldest colonial city in Nicaragua it is steeped in history and is a must see for volunteers who are interested in learning about the history of Nicaragua.

From Granada you can also visit Lake Nicaragua and its three hundred and sixty-five islands including Isla Zapatera and the community of Sonzapote, which we strongly recommend for hiking enthusiasts!

Isla Zapatera is the second largest island after Ometepe in Lake Nicaragua. This island is rarely visited by tourists because many people by pass seeing this beautiful oasis as it is so close to major tourist destinations such as Granada and the Mombacho Volcano. Beautiful hiking trails are situated throughout the island and if you enjoy being out in nature this is the ideal place to visit.

Leon is another city that is steeped in Nicaraguan history. It is the location of the very first Spanish settlement in Nicaragua and has grown to be the second largest city in the country after Managua. Leon is also home to a historic abandoned city known as “Leon Viejo”, meaning old Leon, that has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Another volunteer favorite is the active Masaya Volcano, at the Masaya Volcano National Park. Volunteers always have a great time touring the natural volcanic caves and discovering the ancient ceremonial sacrificial grounds of the indigenous Masaya and Tisma people. At night it is also possible to see the bright red glow of lava!

If you only have time to take one trip during your stay and you want to get a true feel for Nicaragua then don't miss a trip to San Ramon. San Ramon has been spared from a lot of the environmental degradation that has enveloped the landscape over the past few decades. Organic coffee and chocolate crops plus beautiful hiking trails are definitely worth the drive to see!

There are a number of beautiful beaches in the department of Carazo including La Boquita, Casares and Huehuete. Volunteers enjoy heading out on a day off to relax, do some surfing, go horseback riding along the beach or try their hand at fishing!