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... This placement would suit……motivated, energetic and adventurous school leavers, students and graduates aged 18-24 years old who want to make a real difference to the developing world and experience total adventure.
 'When we arrived the school played football with a punctured, oval mess, now they have footballs, a colorful red strip and an organized team of players!'
What Can I Do And Where?
You can teach PE and coach sports in all of the countries we work in, although it is only really in China, Kenya, Uganda and Malawi that a genuine sports culture exists around schools. The majority of schools are Primary level, so you would mostly be involved with 9 - 11 year old children. There are some Secondary level schools where rugby, a higher-level football and basketball are available. Most schools will love it if you are able to help with football and netball/basketball or volleyball as part of other teaching duties. All sports coaching takes place outside school hours and covers some or all of the following activities:
PE - Football - Rugby - Hockey - Cricket - Netball - Volleyball - Basketball - Athletics - Rounders
Do I Need Qualifications?
If you have sporting qualifications we will do our best to ensure that you can use them to best effect, but formal qualifications are not necessary. If you are going to coach sport you should have a reasonable level of skill and an infectious enthusiasm for your sport. African zest and love of sport is as bright as the African sun, so you will have no trouble firing up your kids. In China, the children may teach you a thing or two!
Will I Only Coach Sports?
 You will normally form part of the teaching group and coach sports in addition to your teaching duties. However, if you are not the slightest bit interested in doing anything other than coaching sports and teaching PE, speak to us! There will be no shortage of young people, who love playing sport, and your horizons for developing their skills and enjoyment will be unlimited. You will also be able to create opportunities for local, inter/intra-school competitions.
What Sort of People Do It?
We are looking for adventurous young men and women, who can coach or teach sport in the developing world. You will be part of a group of up to 30 volunteers, aged between 18-24, all of whom will have placements in the same area. There will be plenty of opportunities to meet up and do things together and the weekends are usually free.
How Does It Work?
After your in-country induction course, you will coach/teach for three months and then have 3 weeks for independent travel with members of your group, and then an amazing, all-inclusive safari for a week at the end. There are two options:- Full Time Coaching. There are a limited number of places in Kenya for full-time sports and PE coaches. We hope to find more full time opportunities in China in the next 18 months. Tell us your sport and we’ll place you where there’s a need.
- Sports Coaching And Teaching. You can coach sports, in addition to other teaching duties, in most of our countries. This actually works really well because it gives you variety (and an occasional rest!). You tell us which country you want to go to and we will try to match you with the school best suited to what you want.
Are The Facilities OK?
- Africa. In Africa, we operate in some of the poorest rural schools where resources are limited. It will be a bit of a challenge! Sport in African schools is played with massive enthusiasm - like everything that African children do - and not many facilities! Rough pitches, Acacia thorns and heavy usage in every spare moment of daylight mean that footballs don’t last long - and the children cannot afford a new one! They overcome this very real problem by melting about 50 plastic supermarket bags over a fire, moulding them into a football as each bag is added... and then play with bare feet!
- China. In China, The facilities are amazing, in good shape and everywhere! There will be masses of scope to coach just about anything you can think of, but basketball, volleyball, athletics, gymnastics and football will the be the most popular. There will be the added benefit of being able to become involved in sport in schools and the university at Emei, near Chengdu.
- The Rest. In other parts of the world, sports are a bit more hit and miss. Kids still love them with as much passion as kids anywhere else but the support in schools and at home is less apparent. However, sport can still be coached very well. You tell us where you want to go and what you’d like to coach and we’ll help you to do it - it’s as simple as that!<.li>
Should I Take Sports Equipment Out With Me?
Few schools have enough sports equipment and anything you can bring will be hugely popular. However, airlines will not carry it free and you will need most of your baggage allowance for your own stuff, so there are limits to what you will be able to do. Best to think it through, talk to us and clear any excess weight with the airline in advance. They often allow it for volunteers going out to work with children in the developing world.
What's Your Sport?
You can coach:
Football; Almost anywhere, especially in Africa
Rugby; In some schools in Kenya and Tanzania
Hockey; In Kenya
Cricket; In India and Kenya
Netball; In China, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi and Mexico
Volleyball; In China, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi and Mexico
Basketball; In China, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi and Mexico
Athletics; Kenya and China
Rounders; Anywhere
Interested?
AV can offer sport in the following countries:
AFRICA: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi
INDIA: Darjeeling, Lepchas
NEPAL
CHINA:
THAILAND:
MEXICO:
Many AVs have walked this path before you, but this is not a scheme for the faint hearted. There will be periods of frustration and, initially, a considerable culture shock. The safety and security of our volunteers is our utmost concern. We provide a comprehensive medical and general travel policy arranged by Endsleigh Insurance, including 24 hour medical cover and full back up, where ever you are with AV, from our Regional Managers and in-country support teams.
Make an enquiry or apply for a free brochure below.
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0845 344 7508 |
 | 18-24? Up for teaching English or Sports in Africa, China, Thailand, Nepal, the Himalayas or Mexico? How about community & conservation projects in Kenya or Uganda? All include 3 weeks of travel, safari and TEFL training. A unique 5 week ‘building projects & safari’ is also available. Give us a call! |
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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.
