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GYC1337 - Rugby [coach,play & teach English] Country: South Africa Cost: £1895.00 Cost Includes: The price includes accommodation, food and pickup from airport but does not include flight, insurance, kit or visas     Duration: 3 months Company Rep Nearby: Never 0845 344 7613 or

 

	This placement would suit... keen rugby players or people with a general enthusiasm for sport or kids. You must have a good level of fitness and a desire to make a difference in the lives of others. Organise fun rugby matches and training... Work with locals, build close friendships and develop self-esteem in young players... Teach in schools and explore the beauty of SA! What to expect Join the GAP SPORTS Community in Port Elizabeth, South Africa's Friendly City, and give young township players the chance to learn and develop new rugby skills. No experience is needed and you will enjoy the close GAP SPORTS family by living, exploring and socialising with other volunteers and locals. Spot Africa 's big game on safari, sample the surf at Jeffrey's Bay and experience countless extreme sports, friendly local bars and lively African rugby matches, all under the warm and welcoming skies of South Africa. NB: No prior coaching experience or qualifications are required, just an ability to get on alongside children and organise activities. Rugby in South Africa As you are probably aware, the South Africans are extremely passionate about their Rugby. They are a tough and very technical force to be reckoned with! Although rugby is a passion for many, very few get to play and develop in a well-structured environment. And the irony is that many of the most promising players, often living in and around Port Elizabeth's townships, are left undiscovered and their talents undeveloped. Although it is hard for these children to get a game going with some friends, many are seen kicking and throwing a ball around with each other, dreaming of being the next Francois Pienaar and leading the Springboks to World Cup victory once again. But without the proper chance to play and further their game, this will only ever remain a township fantasy. Your Placement It is with your support as a GAP SPORTS rugby coach that these seemingly abstract dreams can begin to be turned into a reality. However, although this may appear intense, it really isn't. We welcome volunteers with any level of rugby experience, be it playing socially with friends, representing your school, club or university team or even as far as holding coaching qualifications. The emphasis isn't on developing Africa 's next international rugby players, but about getting alongside children from less-advantaged backgrounds and building friendships over a common ground. It is from here that you will start to give enthusiastic, young players the chance to play the sport they love in an organised and fun environment. Whatever your background or skill-level, be assured that you will be able to offer something both positive and unique to the children and rugby projects you work on. You will be under the guidance of the GAP SPORTS team who has implemented the rugby and sports activities programme, largely centred in the townships and schools that skirt the city. The first stage as a coach is to help organise and run training clinics and matches for the children, as well as providing them with decent rugby equipment to use. This will be a great experience for forming relationships with the players and also for developing your own confidence. The second stage will be working together, as a volunteer unit, to plan and run rugby tournaments that incorporate both matches and team-building activities. Although the focus is on personal skills and sports development, there will be ample opportunity to scout for talented individuals who, with the right support and training, could go onto play professional level rugby. The sports academies with which we work are keen to identify the individuals who will form South Africa 's next generation of Springboks. And, although this is not the focus of our rugby coaching projects, it is likely you will groom players who are destined for a future in the top end of the game. Your Role Being a GAP SPORTS rugby coach in South Africa, will mean you are responsible for running and supervising all training and matches for the players. This may sound daunting, but it really isn't! You will soon realise that you have an abundance of knowledge and an understanding of rugby that the players are so desperate to have. The rewards are great because the raw talent is there, but the understanding of 'basics' and the experience of a team structure are often not. By introducing simple ball handling skills, movement, position holding and team play, your players will develop rapidly. You will also have solid support from the other volunteers, our in-country staff and local coaches who will give you all the training methods and ideas that you might need. From complicated technical play and beach runs to rucking and mauling formations, you will soon develop your own coaching programme, unique to you and your players. However, being a GAP SPORTS rugby coach is much more than just organising sports activities for young players. You will become their friend and, more importantly, you will be their mentor. It will be your role to support and encourage your players throughout your placement, giving them the sense of belonging that is so often lacking. You will also be given a comprehensive induction from our in-country staff who will explain your role in a lot more detail, what is expected of you and simple ways to get the most out of your time coaching rugby in South Africa. Higher Level Although the majority of our volunteers spend their time working with players in the schools and townships, you will also have every opportunity to gain experience alongside top rugby coaches and players if you desire. Because we are so connected with the leading sports academies in South Africa, we will be able to place you with top sports people, either to impart any specialist knowledge and qualifications you have, or to gain insight and experience for yourself. You will also have the chance to train and play at some of these top academies if you desire. This higher level experience will not only give you an opportunity to develop your own abilities, but it will give you a better understanding of the style and flare of South African rugby. Optional Teaching In addition to your coaching role, you will have the opportunity to teach classes, or assist in teaching classes, with one of the schools based in Port Elizabeth. This will give you another valuable experience and allow you to make a difference on, and off, the pitch. With a Western education you will be able to contribute massively to the standard of tuition that the students receive. Subject areas include English (language and literature), maths, science, journalism, business, IT, RE and a whole variety of extra-curricular activities. Accommodation All our volunteers are provided with a very comfortable and centrally located place stay. This is at our volunteers' lodge that is conveniently situated to all the main amenities and some great beaches - afternoon surfing and evening star-gazing will no doubt become a common pastime! It is also home to all our other coaches and volunteers. Not only does this create our truly unique and vibrant social community, but it creates a safe and secure environment for you while living overseas. Our in-country support team is also close at hand to sort out any queries you may have and make sure everyone is getting the most out of their time abroad. You will also be well 'fed and watered' at the lodge as we provide both breakfast and evening meals. Social Life GAP SPORTS believes it is important to give volunteers the chance to unwind and have fun while they are away. The in-country team therefore organises a variety of activities to bring volunteers together, to share their experiences and, above all, have a good time. The social life in South Africa really is second to none. With so many 'sporty' people living together, social teams are a must. You will have more than enough time to play volleyball and football on the beach and we may finally find out who are the better athletes - footballers, hockey players, rugby players or cricketers?! There is also a whole variety of local teams that you can play with and, if you fancy the challenge, you can create your own volunteer team and play against the South Africans! And, if animals are your thing, being a Lattitude Global Volunteering SPORTS coach in South Africa is an ideal choice. With trips to Kagga Kamma Game Park, the Lion Park, the Addo Elephant Park and the Oceanarium (to see dolphins), you will certainly experience your fair share of big game and African wildlife. Not forgetting paintball, of course, or your chance to experience a Boma (an authentic South African meal under the stars!). What more could you want from a social life abroad? Did we mention that you will be a walk away from Port Elizabeth's vibrant nightlife of clubs, chilled bars and authentic South African restaurants, all of which are a haven for meeting other volunteers and travellers?! Sundowners FC If you fancy exchanging your rugby boots for football boots, or simply want to get involved with a bit of supporting, our very own GAP SPORTS team, Sundowners FC, will give you the perfect opportunity to show off your footy skills. The side has an emphasis on the social aspect of football and ensures that the matches finish before the sun goes down, just in time for an afternoon drink! You will play alongside other volunteers, children and locals against a variety of other local teams. This will give you great experience in building cross-cultural friendships as well as enjoying Sundowners FC's fiery post-match social celebrations! Travel and Adventure Port Elizabeth is a hot-spot for travellers worldwide and, with its abundance and variety of exciting activities, there is no wonder why! Whilst there, you will be able to experience all the delights of the local area, including the game reserves, its renowned scuba schools and friendly nightlife, as well as its 40km of golden beaches which include Nelson Mandela Bay. We also provide a whole assortment of extreme sports and adventurous activities for you to try out - if you can muster up the courage! These include: mountain biking, camping, shark diving, bungy jumping, 4x4 safaris, golf, fishing, scuba diving, parachuting, horse riding, dune boarding, boogey boards, deep sea cruises, tennis, squash, kayaking, badminton, water skiing, coastal hiking, power kiting and more! Time will also be available for you to travel around Southern Africa, and beyond, should you wish. Head west to Cape Town and the legendary Table Mountain, or veer north to Namibia, and the deadly Skeleton Coast. Or perhaps travel on to West Africa, to meet some of our GAP SPORTS volunteers in Ghana! Our in-country staff will be able to advise on safe ways to travel, and will be only too happy to suggest some of the best sights to see in Southern Africa. If you are interested in this project, fill in the enquiry form below... 0845 344 7613 Join sports and non-sports community projects in Ghana, South Africa and Costa Rica, become a ski/snowboard instructor in Canada with work experience, play and train at international football, rugby and cricket academies abroad, or become a qualified dive master and work in dive schools worldwide... no previous experience is needed and applicants are welcome from all walks of life!