Football in Costa Rica

With a population of around 3.9 million Costa Rica have a good record of producing talented footballers and are now widely considered the rising star of FIFA's North and Central American CONCACAF region and rightly so. Players from Costa Rica have a rare ability to combine strength and power with spectacular skill in the majority of positions on the park. The fans also always show a great passion for the game, which was highlighted by the travelling supporters to various World Cups (1990, 2002 & 2006).

There are many children in Costa Rica who wish to participate in sports but for some a lack of resources means limited opportunity. Through our football project young players are given a proper chance to take part.

You will join one of the many teams competing in the Little League after school programme in Liberia (a district in the north west of the country), as part of our football project in Costa Rica. There are over 400 children aged between 5 and 11 years old who mainly come from low income families.

Everyone gets involved teachers, volunteers, parents and coaches. As a football coach in Costa Rica you will be responsible for the development of young footballers' basic skills and techniques. You will co-ordinate and plan coaching sessions to develop - for example - ball control, accurate passing, keeping possession and moving into space. The age of the children means they are at an ideal age to be taught the basics and to learn the foundations for their future. However, at the same time, it's really important that playing football is about enjoyment and participation at this age. This makes your role easier as these children all have a real passion for sport and are eager to be involved. Your job, with the help of your supervisor, is to make sure the fun and the desire both continue.

During school hours you will have the opportunity to work within a local school assisting the physical education teachers with their classes. They teach basketball, volleyball and football in this part of Costa Rica.

Other tasks include planning match strategies, taking practice games and probably assisting in team selection too. So if you have coaching experience - or just a love of football - you can play a major part in this progressive sporting experience.

Coach children football

Volcano near Liberia