The information in the gapyear.com placement database is provided by each individual company. Gapyear.com claims no responsibility for inaccurate, misleading or libellious information. Please ensure that you check all details with the specific organisation before booking or accepting placement.
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This placement would suit... someone with a love of cricket and who wishes to share this passion with others. You should have a good level of fitness and enjoy working with enthusiastic youngsters.
 Help organise fun games and tournaments for township children... Befriend your players and give them a real sense of belonging... Work, play and teach alongside volunteers and locals...
What to expect
Take your enjoyment of cricket and share it with young township players in Port Elizabeth, South Africa's Friendly City, and give them the chance to learn and play the game they are so passionate about. No experience is needed and you'll join the close GAP SPORTS community by living, exploring and socialising with other volunteers and locals. Spot Africa's big game on safari, skydive over the African coast, Scuba dive in the warm Indian Ocean and experience friendly local bars and vibrant African cricket matches, all in the sports capital of Africa. (No prior coaching experience or qualifications are required, just an ability to get along with children and organise activities)
Cricket in South Africa
No-one need explain how passionate South Africans are about their cricket! The sport is followed and played by thousands throughout the country and many improvised games are seen in the streets of the Port Elizabeth townships. World-class players such as Shaun Pollock and Jacques Kallis continue to fuel the pride and passion for South African cricket. And in the townships, the children look to Makhaya Ntini and imagine themselves being the next black cricketer to represent the nation in test match cricket. However, like most sports in South Africa, the talent remains undiscovered and undeveloped in the townships.
Your Placement
It is with your help as a GAP SPORTS cricket coach that these township hopes can begin to be turned into a sports reality. However, although this may appear intense, it really isn't. We welcome volunteers with any level of cricket 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 cricket 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 cricket projects you work on.
During your coaching placement, you will be under the guidance of the GAP SPORTS team who have implemented the cricket 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 cricket 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 cricket 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 on to play professional level cricket. The cricket academies with which we work are keen to identify the individuals who will form South Africa 's next generation of test match cricketers. And, although this is not the focus of our cricket 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 cricket 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 cricket 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 batting and fielding techniques, as well as 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 technical bowling theory to beach cricket, you will soon develop your own coaching programme, unique to you and your players.
However, being a GAP SPORTS cricket 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 cricket 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 cricket 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 wish. 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 focus of South African cricket.
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 to 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 Events
 GAP SPORTS believes it is important to give volunteers the chance to unwind and have fun whilst 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 team and pit your chances against the South Africans!
And, if animals are your thing, being a GAP 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 travellers?!
Sundowners FC
If you fancy exchanging your bat and pads 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 includes 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...
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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 experience required, all applicants welcome! |
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The information in the gapyear.com placement database is provided by each individual company. Gapyear.com claims no responsibility for inaccurate, misleading or libellious information. Please ensure that you check all details with the specific organisation before booking or accepting placement.
