Host Families Needed for British Trainers
The Challenger coaches will be here again in Derry for the Fall season providing great instruction and training for the players and coaches of the Derry Soccer Club. For that reason, we need to start early in preparing for host families. The Derry Soccer Club is again planning to have four trainers for an 8-week period beginning Sunday, August 31st through October 25th.
Both Chris Ralphs and Steve Hughes will be returning to Derry this Fall for the Eagles Program. Two new trainers are planning to join them, one will be a new goal keeper trainer for the Eagles and a new trainer for the Hawks Program. However, this is dependant on volunteer host families. We need your help to make this work. Keep in mind, host families participate in a valuable cultural exchange while also helping manage the costs of the Derry Soccer Club programs.
Please review the brief summary of FAQs for inquiring host families. A minimum 2-week host period would be preferred, however, a 1-week period would also be acceptable.
Host Family FAQ
What is a host family?
This has become one of the most popular elements of Challenger’s British Soccer program. Each year we receive hundreds of emails from families telling us what an incredible time they had hosting one of our coaches. The coaches for you club will stay with local families in your community for the duration of the camp. In return, you will enjoy a unique time learning about the UK, learning about soccer and building lasting friendships with our staff.
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 and dinner.)
How long do they stay with us?
The coaches will typically arrive in your town on the Sunday evening before the start of your Fall season. We try to get them to arrive at around 6:00 pm and they will usually meet at a central location e.g. the camp coordinator's house, restaurant, school etc. Unless otherwise notified, the coaches will stay with you until Sunday.
Do I need to provide transportation?
No. The coaches will be provided with their own transportation. Please understand that our auto insurance policy does not cover our drivers when driving host family automobiles and our staff may not transport campers in their vehicles at any time.
Can I find out about my coach prior to their arrival?
The scheduling of camp staff normally takes place the week before the camp and your local camp coordinator will be provided with a profile of the coaches who will working on your camp. These profiles contain any special dietary restrictions they have.
Do we have to do anything special once they are here?
The coaches will obviously be kept very busy during the 8-week session. Each coach is contracted to work for 6 hours a day and they may have additional coaching commitments. If you wish to arrange any social activities with your family on free time 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.
Our coaches will be staying with many different families during their summer with us and we find it avoids confusion if you discuss any house rules or routines with them beforehand e.g. if they have to be in by a certain time in the evening; meal times; use of laundry facilities and your expectations of them during the week.