Host A Coach - Question and Answers

What is “Host-A-Coach”? Each year PLAY SOCCER hires professional coaches from around the world to work at our summer camps. For the last eight years we have invited American families to look after our international coaches during the week of camp in their town. As well as enjoying an informative and humorous week with a PLAY SOCCER coach, you will receive a half-day scholarship to camp for one week. However we cannot guarantee everybody a place on the “Host-A-Coach” program so if you have not already registered for camp then please register! We will send out refunds at the end of the summer.

How long do we host the coaches for? Only for the week that your child is enrolled in the PLAY SOCCER camp. The coach will be with you from the Sunday afternoon before camp until the following Sunday morning.

What is expected of a host family? We encourage our coaches to fit in with the normal pattern of your family life. We would like you to provide the coach with a bed; showering facilities; laundry facilities and meals (to include breakfast, lunch - if coaches are working a straight 6 hour session please provide them with a packed lunch, and dinner. You may be responsible for transporting the coach to a new host family or a central meeting point on the Sunday, possibly the PLAY SOCCER office in Marlborough. If this could prove a problem, or if you’re unable to look after the coach during the weekend following camp, please mention this in your application. Often, given enough notice, we will be able to make alternative arrangements.

Will the coach have his/her own transport? Occasionally the coaches will have their own transport. However, if they do not you will be responsible for transporting them to and from camp.

What time must the coach be at camp? On Monday all coaches are expected one hour before the start of camp. From Tuesday to Friday, all coaches are expected half an hour before the start of camp. If the coach does not have transport, it is your responsibility to ensure the coach arrives at camp on time. To save you two journeys you can always drop your children off with the coach.

Do we have to do anything special once they are here? The coaches will obviously be kept very busy during the week of camp. Each coach is contracted to work for 6 hours a day and they may have additional coaching commitments for one or two evenings during the week of camp. If you wish to arrange any social activities with your family on free nights you may, however this is not required.

Will the coach be using my phone or computer? Our staff should not be making long distance call from your home and will expect to pay you for any unscheduled calls that they make. If you allow them to use your computer to access email, please feel free to limit the time of use to when this is convenient with your family.

What happens if a coach gets sick while staying at my house? The staff all have medical insurance coverage – under NO circumstances should you have to pay for any medical attention your coach may need. If the local doctor does not recognize the medical insurance company name the coach will have a toll free number where the doctor’s office can call to confirm coverage.

Can we host more than one coach? Yes, you are more than welcome to take more than one coach.

Can we house coaches for consecutive weeks?Yes, on occasions you can even host a coach when your child is not attending camp.

Is there a curfew for the coach? The coaches will follow all house rules that you have.

It is through the continuing help and involvement of host families that PLAY SOCCER is able to invite international coaches over to America. It is also a big part of the reason why coaches are so attracted by the opportunity of spending a summer here.