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VOLUNTEER FEEDBACK
Read some of the
reports and feedback Travellers receives from
the volunteers who have participated on Projects in
New Zealand.
Volunteers often add in tips of where to go and what to see, as well as
suggestions of living and working in New Zealand. They've done it, so
what they say is worth reading and will help to give you a good insight
into the country and the culture.
This page will be updated continually, so please come back and read the
new reports as they come in. |
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Return to the New Zealand
Home Page and
the list of all our projects in New Zealand |
| Jonathan Dick -
Rugby Coaching & Teaching |
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Hi Rachel,
Flight and everything went smoothly, and arrived slightly earlier as we made
good time!
New Zealand is awesome!
Everyone is so nice and welcoming over here. The kids at the school couldn't
be happier that I'm here to coach rugby, and couldn't be keener to get stuck
in! Its a lot different at the rugby club as the kids there are far more
privileged, and seem less interested when at training, but it just means
that I have a greater challenge in front of me and am looking forward to
seeing the results once I come to the end of my time there! Have my first
game with the school team on Tuesday so should be interesting to see how
much they have picked up in the short time I've been there.
Haven't really been out exploring too much yet as have been wrapped up in my
project, but am planning a few trips for the weekends coming up as I begin
to get into more of a routine. So hopefully will be able to get a broader
perspective of the country than just the bright city lights of Auckland
City!
I hope all is well back home, and you're enjoying the good weather that I
hear you guys are having!
Regards, Jonathan |
SPECIALS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
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| Holly Taylor -
Physiotherapy |
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I attend a
Swimming Club, Monday to Friday, as part of my voluntary work as a
physiotherapist.
A typical day
at the swimming club starts at 4 pm. As the swimmers start to arrive I
single out those I have treated previously to see how they are feeling and
whether they have done any exercises I may have set them and I then decide
if they need further treatment. I then talk to the other swimmers to see if
any new injuries or problems have occurred.
The main
injuries I have treated so far have been shoulder pain, postural and
muscular imbalances, general back pain, hip and groin pain, and quadriceps
and hamstrings muscle aches. My treatments have consisted of massage, muscle
strengthening and stretching programmes, postural re-education and general
advice for day-to-day living.
Many of the
swimmers already see other physiotherapists for longer-term injuries so I
have also worked through their programmes to ensure they are doing them
correctly. I also assist the gym's fitness instructor in delivering
flexibility and core and dynamic stability programmes to the swimmers. I
also work with the coaches to identify technical errors in swimming strokes,
which may lead to, or have already led to injury.
The working
ethos of the club is friendly and professional, and I encourage those
interested in sports injury prevention and rehabilitation to complete this
project. |
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Simon Thomson - Coach and
Play Hockey in New Zealand |
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The Hockey club I have been working with has been really
grateful for my contribution, giving me lifts all over Auckland to get to
junior and senior games. Nick, the main coach of the club has given me
position as the number two coach, a position which has already required me
to take the juniors for an important league game unaided. Which I can
proudly say we won 11-0! But as far as the club is concerned, I have been really
impressed. The clubs standard is just right, giving me the challenge of
raising my level of play, whilst allowing me to put my own abilities to good
use. I have so far played in all of the clubs games for both the first team
and the second team which takes part on the weekend.
The school has also been great. Like the hockey club the
staff are forever going out of their way to show their gratitude, from great
multitudes of tea and biscuits to lifts home and advice on touring the city.
Furthermore, I have enjoyed the combination of sports activities and reading
mileage which gives great diversity to the project and also helps break up
all the physical activity during the week. But for me the most
impressive aspect of the school so far has been the kids themselves.
All the kids are fantastic, showing great enthusiasm and
energy in every aspect of the curriculum. Also, almost without fail the kids
love me! Fighting for my attention and approval all the time, which is
really flattering.I have very much been placed in some areas of the school as
a male role model which is a role I am more than happy to play. All said, I
have really enjoyed my time at the school so far and would undoubtedly
advise it to anyone else who was planning a venture such as mine. |
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Matthew Overmyer - Coach and
Play Baseball in New Zealand |
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Q: So where from the USA are you from?
A: “I’m from Lenox, Massachusetts”
Q: And how long have you been involved in Baseball?
A:
“I started playing when I was
four years old and been playing ever since. Over the years I’ve attended
Baseball Camps and been involved in coaching in the US”.
Q: What made you decide to do
the Baseball project?
A: “Baseball is still
internationally unrecognised outside the US compared to other sports like
soccer. I thought this would be a great way to help be involved and develop
a sport I enjoy in another country”.
Q: So
Why New Zealand?
A: “Because if was the
furthest from home (laughs). But seriously cause I figure it would be good
being down here for summer and grab some good weather and also get to see
the other side of the world”.
Q: How have you found the
Placement so far?
A: “Great!
Everyone so far has been really friendly, I haven’t
had any
problems adjusting to life down here and the city (Auckland) is so relaxed”.
Q: So finally what’s next for
you after you finish with us?
A: “Go back to the US and brag
about all the amazing stuff I’ve done to my mates and then apply for
college”.
Return to the New Zealand
Home Page and
the list of all our projects in New Zealand
TO APPLY FOR A PROJECT, PLEASE
CLICK HERE |
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+44 01903 502595