Serious & Involved Sports Internship w/ Travellers Worldwide!

  South Africa

• Other Cities in South Africa: 
Rural Areas

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months and 1-2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: Available all year round. Our placements are very flexible, you can choose your own start and finish dates.

Description: Serious about sports?! Don't miss this amazing chance to combine coaching and sports work experience / internship in an idyllic setting! This placement combines coaching in a variety of sports with gaining valuable work experience in a well set-up and organized Sports School. And you're helping children from an underprivileged community. You'll assist in the management and running of the school, coaching the children and possibly playing for the teams based at the school. An experience such as this one is key to anyone studying sports and headed for a career in athletics.

PROJECT OVERVIEW
Located in the beautiful town of Knysna along the Garden Route, you'll have the opportunity to coach and play cricket, golf, hockey, squash and tennis.

This is quite a unique project in that it combines coaching with managing and administering a sports school dedicated to a development programme for underprivileged children in the community. You'll be able to involve yourself in a number of different roles:
--> Sports Administration and Management
--> Coaching
--> Sports events organising
--> Sports Development
--> Grounds Management and Maintenance

The sports school is in a very beautiful location overlooking the Knysna Lagoon - being out in the fresh air and playing sports with such panoramic views is enjoyable, uplifting and quite unique. The school has excellent facilities, including a pavilion, cricket and hockey ground. The school was established in 1992 as a sports promotional tool for the previously disadvantaged community. The school's motto is 'To play for the sake of the game'. The sports school provides term-time coaching in squash, cricket, golf, hockey and tennis to boys and girls in the area of Knysna and works closely with the children from the under-privileged community.

As well as coaching, the school also organises a number of sporting events which brings visiting teams to Knysna to play against local teams. These occasions are always lots of fun and a good strong competitive spirit. The mission statement of the sports school is; - The promotion of sportsmanship, fellowship and self-respect among children in Knysna through the medium of a healthy sporting ethos and environment, and the development of their skills in their chosen sport.

You'll be involved in a number of different activities during the day. A typical day will consist of undertaking the administration and management of the sports school, which includes, for example:
--> Organising monthly sports festivals at the Sports School - schools from all over the country come to Knysna
--> Organising matches for overseas touring sports teams
--> Sports facility maintenance
--> General paperwork and administration
--> Organising matches between schools and clubs.
As well as working on the administration side of the sports school, you'll also be involved in coaching your particular sport, or a variety of different sports, depending on your choice.

SPORTS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The sports school has a well-established sports development programme which aims to allow children from the surrounding townships to come to the facility and receive free coaching. They also have children from more affluent backgrounds attending the sports school and this interaction benefits both groups.

There are a number of qualified coaches at the school who you will be assisting, so if you're not a very experienced coach, or you lack confidence in your coaching skills, you can learn and develop your own abilities by working alongside these coaches.

You can chose to coach one or more different sports and you can do a placement for any length of time, from two weeks upwards. The sports are divided by season and are as follows:
--> Sports : Cricket, tennis and golf
--> Dates: Between October and April, with a long break in the middle from 1st December to 15th January
--> Sports: Squash, hockey, tennis and golf
--> Dates: from April 10th to 22nd September

During the start of the school year (February and March) you will be going into the township schools with the coaches to do talent spotting, i.e. identifying children who have talent in a particular sport. These children are then encouraged to come to the sports school to receive coaching.

PLAYING SPORTS
As well as coaching sports, you'll also have the chance to train and possibly play for the sports schools senior/mens teams. The sports school has teams in a number of sports. If you'd like to compete and train in your sport, the dates for the different sports sessions are given below:

Cricket: January - mid March, and September - mid November
Tennis: April - end of May
Squash: April - mid September

This placement would suit someone who has a keen interest in not only coaching sports, but also getting involved with the sports administration and management role. It is open to anyone who has, or intends to, study sports.

This is a very professional and intense sports placement where you can really benefit by learning sports administration, management and coaching. At the same time you'll also benefit the poorer community through the sports development programme.

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:
--> An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into Latin America.
--> You'll learn a lot from experts in your field about how they work in a cultural environment that's different to what you're used to.
--> The enormous satisfaction of helping disadvantaged children and knowing that you made a difference to them
--> New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
--> An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market
--> And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

OUR USERS SAY...
"Thank you so much for all the time and effort you have put into making this a fantastic stay for us. We will never forget this experience!" Cat Dunlop and Liz Lunn

Highlights: WHAT TO DO NEXT
Talk to us - We're there to help you.
Most of our team are ex Travellers volunteers and are ideally qualified to offer advice and guidance because they know what you're looking for. They'll help you find your perfect project - and then make it all happen!
If you'd like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us!
If you'd like to apply for this project, please go to our website and complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, we'll liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen.
It's as easy as that.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO WHILE ON THIS PROJECT:
Add to your travel experience in Africa by doing some additional exciting activities, such as:
--> A 5- or 7-day Safari from Cape Town up the renowned Garden Route, taking in Dolphin and Whale Spotting, visits to many tourist attractions, such as a visit to a brewery(!), the Bloukrantz Bungy Jump (reportedly the highest in the world), and a guided tour of the Cango Caves
--> Surfing Courses: In the buzz city of Durban.
--> Paragliding Course: Soar over the impressively beautiful Drakensburg Mountain. You'll get a licence at the end of the course which qualifies you to do solo paragliding around the world.
--> 5-Day Bush Survival Course: This is a fantastic experience and opportunity to see lots of wild animals in their native habitats in Game Reserves. You'll learn a lot and you'll really enjoy learning some bush skills in the great outdoors!

Travellers' placements are very flexible and you can combine this project with any other Travellers project, either in the same country or in different countries.

ACCOMODATIONS & LIVING IN KNYSNA
You will more than likely live in one of our volunteer houses with other Travellers volunteers. You will either have your own room or will share a room with one or more other Travellers volunteers. It will depend on how many people are there at the same time. These are comfortable houses with good facilities and most have a beautiful view of Knysna Lagoon.

Your meals are all provided. There are several good, inexpensive steak houses and lots of good Chinese, Italian and other ethnic restaurants. With local beer costing only 50p and Coca Cola 30p. A good night out is cheap and spending money goes a long way!

Qualifications: This placement would someone who has a keen interest in not only coaching sports but also getting involved with the sports administration and management role. It is open to anyone who has, or intends to, study sports. This is a very professional and intense sports placement where you can really benefit by learning sports administration, management and coaching. At the same time you'll also benefit the poorer community through the sports development programme.

Cost in US$: Varies depending on length of stay. Starts at 1,1,95 for two weeks.

You'll be met at the nearest airport on your arrival by our in-country manager who will take you to your accommodation and give you a full induction into the area. He/she will also be on call 24/7 and you'll see them frequently.

Pre-departure you'll receive comprehensive information about every aspect of your placement and necessary preparations, ranging from what to pack, to visa information, to what to do on your weekend travel in the country. Your safety, well being and happiness throughout your placement are our primary concerns and we will keep in touch with you throughout. International flights not included.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: These placements would suit people who want to improve their knowledge and skills in their field, learn about a new culture, boost their resume to kick-start their career, and who also want to have a structured placement at the same time as having an exciting travel experience. Patience, adaptability and initiave definitely an advantage. A knowledge of basic Spanish is not necessary but would be good.

Age Range: Our projects are available to those 17-70+!!!

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

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Travellers Worldwide's Mission Statement: Travellers Worldwide organises all types of worthwhile and beneficial voluntary placements in local communities. We also provide Work Experience & Internship opportunities, as well as different types of Courses and study abroad options. We have many diverse projects, from teaching underprivileged or refugee children in schools, orphanages and care homes, to conservation and rehabilitation of endangered animals, such as orangutans, lion cubs, dolphins, elephants. Our aim is to make a difference to the communities we work in and to facilitate personal and professional growth in our volunteers. We employ local people in our destination countries and local providers of goods and services, thus ensuring we have a positive impact on the community. Our ethos encompasses mutual respect, cultural exchange, responsible travel and a beneficial outcome for all. Travellers also arranges work experience placements in Journalism, Law, Veterinary, Medicine, Tourism, Architecture, and many more. There are also opportunities to learn languages and other skills such as Capoeira in Brazil, Tango in Argentina or Flying in South Africa. These projects are unique - and tailored to suit you! Our placements are flexible (2 weeks to 1 year) and on most you can choose your own start and finish dates. No qualifications are required, just an enthusiasm to experience a new culture! Full support is provided within the country, with friendly and conscientious staff, ensuring a safe and exciting way to experience a brand new culture! Placements are also very sociable: you'll make friends with the other international volunteers and often volunteers travel together after their placement and during their free weekends. We help you to Make a Difference and have an exciting adventure travel experience!

Year Founded: 1995

Travellers Worldwide is a based organization. We do not require our participants to be of the same faith. Our volunteers will not be involved in religious proselytizing.