RUGBY COACH

Rugby was introduced to Saint Lucia in the early 1970s and has experienced many ups and downs since then. Although Saint Lucia is currently making great efforts to establish itself on the global stage, they have narrowly missed the mark each time.

As a rugby coach, you will work closely with the national team of Saint Lucia and train children from underprivileged neighborhoods. The focus is on participation and enjoyment, giving these children and young people the opportunity to advance in this rapidly growing sport in the Caribbean.

WAT GA JE DOEN?

For the rugby project, it is not necessary to hold any certificates or have completed a (sports) study. You will collaborate with the Saint Lucian RFU and the Saint Lucia Referee Society. These organizations ensure that you work closely with highly experienced players, coaches, physiotherapists, and match officials who can provide you with excellent guidance.

Volunteers have the opportunity to coach at various levels, depending on their experience and personal preferences. When working with youth, the emphasis is on fun and interactive participation, focusing on skill development through games and activities. You can choose to lead sessions or assist with specific activities based on your confidence and comfort level. This is also a fantastic opportunity to scout for potential future national players.

In addition, you can work with the national rugby teams, both male and female, to develop and improve drills and IRB rankings. You will have the chance to contribute to aspects such as gym routines and nutritional advice. There is also the opportunity to design entire training sessions or focus on specific drills and skills.

If the national team participates in a tournament during your stay in Saint Lucia, you may have the chance to go on tour with them—culminating in a Caribbean celebration that you won’t want to miss!

TENNIS COACH

In the past, tennis in Saint Lucia was primarily played by wealthier residents, expats, and tourists. Unfortunately, local people had limited opportunities to engage in the sport. However, with the establishment of a new state-of-the-art National Tennis Center in Beausejour, there are now more opportunities for local players, as our foundation has access to this facility. The rise of talented local stars and the creation of a national tennis league have led to a significant increase in the sport’s popularity among the broader population.

The National Tennis Center boasts six beautiful courts. The tennis association is leveraging the interest of the youth and supporting local communities across the island. As a result, they have decided to incorporate tennis programs into the core curriculum of schools. Through these programs, you have the opportunity to contribute as a tennis coach and help promote the sport in Saint Lucia.

YOUR ROLE

As a tennis coach in Saint Lucia, you will work closely with the Tennis Association to provide training sessions for young people across the island. Most of your time will be spent at the National Tennis Center in Beausejour, but you will also visit schools to deliver tennis lessons to children aged 6 to 11. The primary focus of these sessions is to encourage participation and introduce basic skills and techniques. Many of the schools we partner with are among the most underprivileged on the island, so coaches must be adaptable to the available facilities.

Your role as a tennis coach will vary from session to session as you adjust to the different players and facilities you encounter. At most schools and community centers, you will have the opportunity to lead training sessions, but local staff will always be nearby to support you.

The existing coaching staff will work closely with you, learning useful tips and observing new training techniques, so they can continue to implement your coaching methods after your volunteer period ends.

As a tennis coach, you will also have the chance to use the state-of-the-art facilities at the Tennis Center in Beausejour during your free time. Additionally, we can arrange matches with local players if you want to test your skills and challenge yourself.

ULTIMATE FRISBEE COACH

Frisbee is not yet a well-known sport in Saint Lucia, but it holds great potential to become an emerging sport. Not only is it a popular beach activity, but it is also expected to be included in the 2024 and 2028 Olympic Games. Who knows, Saint Lucia might even compete!

Ultimate Frisbee was introduced to Saint Lucia by a former intern from our foundation, so the sport is still in its infancy. The main focus, therefore, is on promoting the sport and ensuring that participants fully understand the rules so that it can be played independently and foster the development of local competitions. During your stay, the team will be there to support you in this process.

While the primary focus of Ultimate Frisbee will be on kindergarten and after-school sessions, there is also an opportunity to combine it with coaching other sports such as rugby, football, tennis, netball, and cricket. Playing Ultimate Frisbee in a safe environment is key to instilling core values in participants and helping them grow, both in their personal development and as athletes and leaders, particularly empowering women in the sport.

Your volunteer week is from Sunday to Thursday. Daily work schedules vary but generally the days are: Preschool session 11:00 – 12:00 then a break for lunch then a school session 13:00 – 15:00 finishing with an after school session 15.15 – 17.00.

FOOTBALL COACH

YOUR ROLE

As a volunteer, you will be an integral part of our coaching staff in Saint Lucia, experiencing firsthand what it’s like to work with the island’s key sports organizations. The primary focus is on training young footballers and developing the sport. You will do this by providing after-school football training sessions to children and young adults. As a football coach, you will collaborate with local trainers and other volunteers to lead these training sessions. Since football is a relatively established sport in Saint Lucia, many of the children you work with will have a natural talent for the game. However, their understanding of the rules, tactics, and strategies will often be underdeveloped. It will be your responsibility to teach this new generation of footballers the rules, provide them with tactical insight, and help them develop their skills.

Your volunteer work is crucial for the development of the sport on the island. It enables local charitable organizations to work with a much broader range of players and to assist in the development of other youth sports on a larger scale.

SWIM COACH

Saint Lucia is an island surrounded by sandy beaches and seas with crystal-clear blue waters. However, many of the residents cannot swim, and sadly, it is not uncommon for children to drown. There is a significant need for swimming lessons in the poorest communities on the island, where many children lack the necessary skills. By teaching disadvantaged children in Saint Lucia how to swim, you are equipping them with potentially life-saving skills. Becoming a swimming instructor is, therefore, an incredibly rewarding experience for both you and the children you teach.

During your time here, you will provide swimming lessons to children aged 6 to 14 in pools and at beaches. There are also opportunities to coach swimmers at a competitive level. However, the primary focus is on teaching basic techniques to children from underprivileged communities, ensuring their safety in both pools and the ocean.

Our swimming project aims to teach as many children as possible to swim, so they can safely enjoy the sea—an essential skill when living on an island. Additionally, we hope to encourage children to refine their newly acquired skills and continue with the sport by joining the local swim team.

YOUR ROLE

During your stay, you will work closely with our qualified staff, who will help you build strong relationships with the children. The swimming instructors will always be there to support you, but you will also have the opportunity to conduct your own swimming lessons. For example, you could introduce one-on-one training sessions. Whether you are training for the first time at the club or taking newcomers to the beach, your contribution to the children’s development will have a lasting impact long after you have returned home.

Please note that the swimming sessions take place in outdoor pools and in the sea, so they are highly susceptible to bad weather. If a swimming lesson is canceled, you can participate in other sports activities in the area or use the free time for personal relaxation.