Call: +44 (0) 207 193 7819
Email: info@gapafricaprojects.com
Call: +44 (0) 207 193 7819
Email: info@gapafricaprojects.com
Working as a volunteer hockey coach in South Africa, you will run and supervise training and matches for local players from local townships and schools around Port Elizabeth. You will train players from all age groups, from junior to senior school. No matter what their age, you will find students are hungry to absorb your skills and knowledge of the game. As a coach you will be expected to tap the natural talent and enthusiasm of your students, whilst lending the structure and formation that they need to excel.
While working in South Africa you’ll be supported by our in-country team, local sports coaches and other volunteers. Whilst still being afforded the freedom to develop your own training techniques best suited to the players you’re teaching. Our team and the coaches will make sure you’re pointed in the right direction as well as offering training ideas and tournament concepts.
Project Type: Sports Coaching, Community Project, work with children.
Location: Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Pick Up Point: Port Elizabeth Airport.
Duration: 4 – 12 Weeks.
Price: from £1,175 for 4 Weeks.
Accommodation: Volunteers are accommodated at the volunteer house in Port Elizabeth.
Meals: Three meals a day included, meal preparation is semi participation.
Age Range: 17 Plus.
At the beginning of the project you will be asked to organise clinics and matches for the younger children, including providing them with equipment. This stage is all centred around forming relationships with players and developing confidence in your own skills.
Once the first stage is complete, you should be comfortable with your abilities and the area you are working in. The second stage of the project begins with you planning hockey tournaments and important team-building activities. You will also serve as part of the local scouting team, keeping an eye out for talent that may be of use to the local sports academies.
All volunteers are welcome, but this project is ideal for those who enjoy playing or coaching hockey as the emphasis is on working with disadvantaged children using the common ground of sport. As well as giving children the chance to play the sport they love, this project also serves as an important unifier for the local community. It is our aim to provide year round coverage so that all children can experience the joy of playing a sport they love and therefore offer year round opportunities to volunteer in Port Elizabeth. If you come out in the holiday period, we have opportunities at holiday camps, which will differ very little from the work you would do for schools, apart from the fact you have the choice to coach other activities as well as hockey if that appeals to you.
Activities you will experience:
– Hockey coaching including club training and match playing
– Team tournaments
– Inclusive social activities
– Braai (BBQ)
– The opportunity to participate in non-sports volunteering such as care-work or teaching if you wish
Sport in South Africa is unfunded and hockey receives less funding than more popular sports like rugby, football and cricket. As a result, opportunities for local children to develop their hockey skills are severely lacking. Equipment and coaching are costly, so by acting as a part of this programme you will make a huge difference to the growth of the sport as well as the lives of the children involved.
Although no prior coaching experience or qualifications are required a basic understanding of the game and/or playing experience is necessary.
You will stay in our accommodation located in Newton Park, a small suburb of the coastal city Port Elizabeth. The accommodation is located approximately 10km from the airport in a residential area. The beachfront is a short taxi ride.
Although basic, the accommodation is comfortable and you will find it very easy to relax after your day’s activities. You will live alongside the other travellers and our in-country team. This makes for a very safe, fun and extremely social environment. You will be staying in a dorm room of 4-10 people and will eat most of your meals together.
Amenities
– Several communal areas for socialising including a TV and games room that has table tennis and a pool table.
– Swimming Pool.
– Four coin-operated washing machines and two tumble dryers are available for laundry.
– An internet cafe is 5 minutes walk from the accommodation.
– DSTV (the South African equivalent of Sky) with nine 24hr sport channels.
– A shop 5 minutes walk from the accommodation selling everyday items such as snacks and drinks, toiletries, SIM cards, phone top-up vouchers and international call cards.
The city is situated 800km from Cape Town and is known for its sunshine and safe sandy beaches. Located on the South Eastern coast of Africa, this major sea port and tourist destination is set along the beautiful shores of Algoa Bay, and is fondly referred to as the Friendly Eco-City.
Temperatures are moderate all year round with rain scattered throughout the year, the summers are warm with a very temperate humidity level, whereas the winters are mild and pleasant. There is a significant amount of water sports all year round; surfing, boardsailing and diving. Overseas tourists will be happy to hear that even at the seaside you can enjoy the awe inspiring wildlife of Africa because there are a number of wildlife reserves in the area around Port Elizabeth.
Just 73 km from the city there is Addo Elephant Park, dedicated to the preservation of the Eastern Cape Elephant and the Cape Buffalo. There are other smaller reserves which are just as delightful and will provide a memorable African experience. The combination of calm waters and fair breezes are perfect conditions for sailing and the safe beaches allow for swimming, surfing, body boarding and any kind of water sport.
Scuba diving enthusiasts can choose from a number of great spots with lots to see, such as ship wrecks, coral reefs and beautifully coloured fish in the warm waters with up to 30 metres visibility. There are one day courses available as well as boat charters and gear for hire.
4 Weeks – £1,175 (2023)
4 Weeks – £1,230 (2024)
£175 per additional week add on
£200 deposit to secure placement at time of booking, final balance due 8 weeks prior to departure.
– Pre departure support and documentation.
– Programme fee and contribution.
– Return Transfers from Port Elizabeth Airport.
– Accommodation for duration of stay.
– Housekeeping costs.
– All meals (Semi Participation).
– Project activities.
– 24 hour in country support.
– Flights.
– Travel Insurance.
– Laundry Service.
– Any vaccinations as recommended by your GP.
– Internet access.
– Soft drinks and snacks.
– Any visas required.
– Any additional activities outside of project itinerary.
If you have any questions, or if you’d like to find out more about this incredible adventure and create some unforgettable memories, just fill in the form below and one of our team will be in touch as soon as possible.