Volunteer Sports Coaching Project

  South Africa

Port Elizabeth

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: 3 month and 5 week projects all year round

Description: Gap Year South Africa's sports coaching projects encourage mass participation in sport for school children and are aimed primarily at previously disadvantaged groups, communities and individuals with a strong developmental approach.

Our community sports coaching projects contribute towards transformation whilst removing potential access barriers such as cost, elitism, race and gender. The intended beneficiaries of our sports coaching projects are young people who have inherently been afforded very little exceptional opportunity.

The sports we coach at our under-resourced partner community schools include football, rugby, cricket, hockey and netball. Please contact us should you wish to coach a different sport.

Your Role as a Volunteer:

During your sports coaching project you will be delivering coaching sessions for children of varying ages and abilities in your chosen sport at a number of our under-resourced partner schools in local communities. Through your sports coaching and energetic presence at our partner schools you will be adding immense value to the lives of underprivileged children. You will be coaching alongside teachers from the community with an opportunity to learn a great deal from their experiences in turn community teachers will also benefit a great deal from your sports coaching experiences.

Highlights:
* Project Flexibility
In addition to your sports projects you will have the choice of including a teaching and/or HIV/AIDS & health awareness and/or environmental awareness experience in your project.

* Donation of Sporting Equipment
A portion of your funding contributes towards sporting equipment and coaching aides enhancing the sporting environment for the children. Our under-resourced partner schools certainly do welcome any additional contributions or resources.

* Location
You will be based in the South African coastal city of Port Elizabeth which is affectionately known as the friendly city. As a volunteer you will have the famous Garden Route on your doorstep as well as some of the world's most beautiful golden beaches, dunes and wilderness.

Port Elizabeth enjoys warm sunny days most of the year with average temperatures ranging from 17°C - 30°C and sea temperatures ranging from 16°C - 23°C. Port Elizabeth is an ideal location to travel and experience all that South Africa has to offer. Situated 10 hours from the majority of gap year world traveller destinations, Gap Year South Africa is an ideal stop on your global adventure travel.

* Accommodation, Food and Transport
You are personally hosted by the Team of Gap Year South Africa in our comfortable accommodation for all our volunteers. The volunteer house is a very safe and friendly environment within Port Elizabeth and is located a short distance from all the golden beaches and the warm Indian Ocean. The house is nearby to a wide range of amenities for all your additional needs.

Volunteers receive three balanced meals each day prepared by our local chefs. The food prepared is very similar to that of which you enjoy in your home country. However volunteers will also have an opportunity to experience some local dishes. On arrival you will be welcomed by our Gap Year South Africa Team and be transferred from the airport to the volunteer house where each volunteer receives a welcome pack including a pack of biltong and bottle of South African wine. All transport to and from the projects is provided as well as a selection of the volunteer group excursions.

* Travel and Adventure
Port Elizabeth is known as the water sports capital of South Africa and it's surrounding areas offer a wide range of activities and excursions including malaria free game viewing, walking with elephants, horse riding safari's, bungy jumping, mountain biking, sea kayaking, tree top canopy tours as well as a vibrant night life.

To the west of Port Elizabeth, you are within a short flights distance from the mother city of Cape Town including famous attractions such as Table Mountain, Robben Island and the world renowned Winelands. To the east of Port Elizabeth you have magnificent Wild Coast, leading to the tropical region of Kwazulu-Natal featuring the Drakensberg Mountains and the Greater St Lucia Wetlands.

* Playing Sport and Qualifications
In addition to your sports coaching project, you will have an opportunity to learn to surf and gain certificates in scuba diving and surf-lifesaving which take place along PE's golden beaches.

You will also have the option of playing sport for local community sports clubs. The club teams range from social to premier league teams.

* Social Life
A very important part of your experience is the social interaction with your fellow volunteers, team members of Gap Year South Africa and the local community. Port Elizabeth offers a wide selection of restaurants, pubs, bars and clubs. The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment Complex is located on the Port Elizabeth beach front and provides volunteers with a further selection of retail outlets, trendy cafés and cinemas all situated around a man-made lake

Our Shebeen (Local Tavern) tour always proves to be a highlight on our list of social events. The tour provides volunteers with an opportunity to enjoy a uniquely South African experience. Shebeens are the heartbeat of the local community where locals meet for a drink, music and dancing.

Qualifications: It is not a prerequisite for our sports coaching project volunteers to have prior coaching experience or qualifications, but a basic knowledge or playing experience of your sport is important.

If you are a qualified coach you will have an excellent opportunity to take on a greater level of coaching responsibility within our under-resourced partner schools.

Cost in US$: $2,850 (3 months) $1,700 (5 weeks)

During your project in South Africa:
- On arrival in Port Elizabeth you will be welcomed by our South African Team
- Transfer from the airport to the volunteer house
- All meals prepared by our local chefs
- Accommodation in the volunteer house in Port Elizabeth
- 24/7 assistance from our Gap Year South Africa Team
- Project induction and training prior to the commencement of your project
- Management of your project delivery
- All Transport to and from your project
- A selection of exciting volunteer group excursions and social events
- 24/7 emergency support from our UK Team
- A portion of your funding donated to your projects local community
- A chance to play sports for clubs in South Africa
- An opportunity to learn to surf, gain certificates in Scuba Diving and surf-lifesaving (Terms and Conditions apply)
- Experience a new and vibrant culture

On completion of your project:
- Entry into the "Ubuntu" fellowship our alumni (Ubuntu an African word, meaning "humanity to others" or "I am what I am because of who we all are")
- Entertaining get-together's and reunions in the UK
- Our past volunteers are welcome to ask for a reference
- The option to continue to support the community in which you volunteered through our Partner Foundation

What is not included in your chosen project?
- Flights
- Visas (if applicable)
- Travel Insurance
- Vaccinations
- Spending money
- Additional excursions and travel

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: We seek a passionate and energetic individual with an enthusiasm for an adventure of a lifetime. If you are a post-school or post-university gap year student, a university undergraduate or postgraduate, or a career breaker, our projects are ideally suited for you. Our excellent sports coaching projects are also tailored for eager players and qualified coaches.

Age Range: 17 upwards

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of between 15 and 40

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Gap Year South Africa's Mission Statement: Our aim is to assist in social and economic development and address priority areas such as moral regeneration and social cohesion by our volunteers engaging with the local community and providing essential life skills through teaching and sports coaching.

Year Founded: 2007