ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA

A significant portion of the South African population still lacks access to education. Due to widespread poverty in the country, education is sometimes unavailable, or the quality is poor. This is also the case in Port Elizabeth, a port city with many social challenges in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.

Our work takes place in the underprivileged neighborhoods, known as townships, of Port Elizabeth. Since physical education is not provided in schools in these areas, we step in to fill that gap. You will be delivering sports training to children and young people. Given that these children come from impoverished backgrounds, they are often exposed to drug use and crime, including gang involvement, at an early age.

Our charity uses sports as a tool to keep children on the right path and address social issues in these communities, such as raising awareness about HIV, AIDS, and gender equality. Additionally, the lessons are designed to teach children essential skills like teamwork, decision-making, and leadership. We also provide educational opportunities to help children develop their talents. Each year, approximately 18,000 children participate in our projects and activities!

As a volunteer, you have the opportunity to teach lessons in your favorite sport. You can also assist with classes at various schools that we support.

The location is in Port Elizabeth (P.E.), a city with over 300,000 residents (1.3 million if you include the surrounding areas). This port city, located in the Eastern Cape, is also known as the ‘Windy City,’ making it an ideal spot for surfing! In Port Elizabeth, three languages are spoken: English, Afrikaans, and Xhosa.

Sports in South Africa

Different ethnic groups in South Africa often have their own favorite sports, influenced by historical, cultural, and social factors. For example, the black population traditionally has a strong passion for football, while rugby has historically been popular among white South Africans. Cricket is deeply rooted in the Indian community, due to historical ties with India. Additionally, cultural traditions and preferences play a role in the choice of sports; for instance, athletics and long-distance running may hold significant importance in certain ethnic groups. While there is some overlap and diversity, these preferences often reflect the socio-cultural background and identity of the various ethnic groups in South Africa.

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BASKETBALL COACH

The focus of the basketball project in South Africa is to create basketball training sessions and playing environments for enthusiastic players in and around the underprivileged neighborhoods of Port Elizabeth. These basketball players are primarily between the ages of 8 and 16. Unfortunately, basketball does not receive the same attention as other sports in South Africa, and the basic rules of the game are not always well known. While this may require a bit more initiative on your part, it allows you to make a direct impact on the development of basketball in South Africa. As a volunteer, you will also have a positive impact on the children and young people who participate in your training sessions.

YOUR ROLE

The goal as a basketball coach is not to train the next international star player from Africa. Therefore, you don’t need to be a qualified or highly experienced basketball coach. As long as you have a basic knowledge of the game and enjoy organizing group games and training sessions, you will bring great value to this basketball project and will be met with enthusiastic children eager to learn from you.

In collaboration with our staff in South Africa, you will begin by organizing basketball clinics and games for players already participating in small-scale basketball competitions. During these sessions, the focus will primarily be on dribbling, positioning, passing, and shooting. These regular basketball training sessions provide a solid platform for building friendships and gaining the trust of your participants. You will then be invited to organize formal basketball tournaments for the players and assist in maintaining a regular basketball league within the underprivileged neighborhoods. There is also the opportunity to bring your basketball training to schools in and around Port Elizabeth by conducting basketball workshops and coaching for young people.

If you’re interested in becoming a basketball coach in South Africa, we also recommend participating in other sports to make the most of your experience. While basketball is an up-and-coming sport, it is still smaller compared to others. To give you a true South African experience, we suggest alternating your basketball training with other sports.

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HOCKEY COACH

The passion for hockey in South Africa has always been strong. The national team has also achieved impressive results at both international and Olympic levels. Unfortunately, hockey does not receive the same level of investment and attention as other sports like rugby, cricket, and football. As a result, young people in underprivileged neighborhoods are not given the opportunity to advance in the sport they love. Through our hockey project, more young players now have the chance to play hockey and develop their skills in the sport. The local hockey coaches are hopeful that a new generation of hockey talent will emerge from these communities.

YOUR ROLE

We welcome hockey volunteers of all skill levels. The focus is on building friendships with children from disadvantaged backgrounds through hockey. As a hockey coach, your first task will be to organize hockey lessons for the children and provide them with proper hockey equipment. This is a great way to build relationships with your hockey players and to develop your own confidence as a coach. Additionally, hockey tournaments are organized, which include both hockey matches and team-building activities. While the emphasis is on personal skill development and sportsmanship, you may also spot talented players who could one day play hockey professionally. The sports academies we partner with are keen to identify young athletes who could become the next generation of professional hockey players in South Africa.

As a volunteer hockey coach in South Africa, you will be responsible for conducting and overseeing all hockey training sessions and matches for your players. The reward is immense, as the natural talent for hockey is often present, but the experience of playing within a team structure is usually lacking. By introducing passing, positioning, movement, and teamwork, your young players will develop quickly. You will also receive plenty of support from other volunteer sports coaches and our local staff.

There is also the opportunity to play on a local team yourself and perhaps participate in a weekend match. Along with other volunteers and interns, you’ll get the chance to join a real South African team.

RUGBY COACH

South Africans are incredibly passionate about rugby, and the nation is internationally renowned for its tough and technically skilled players. However, despite this widespread passion, very few people actually have the opportunity to play the game, let alone develop their skills in a well-structured environment. Many promising rugby players live in and around South Africa’s numerous underprivileged neighborhoods, but their talent often goes unnoticed and undeveloped. The opportunities to play rugby in these areas are extremely limited, though you will occasionally see impromptu rugby games being organized on the streets. Many children dream of becoming the next international star who will bring the world title back to South Africa. Unfortunately, for most, this remains just a dream, simply because they lack the opportunity to play the game

YOUR ROLE

As a rugby coach, you have the opportunity to help turn these young people’s dreams into reality. The focus isn’t on developing the next international rugby stars of Africa, but rather on engaging with children from underprivileged neighborhoods. Regardless of your background, we are confident that you can offer something positive to the children and the projects you’ll be involved in.

You will be guided by our team in South Africa, and your lessons will primarily take place at schools in and around Port Elizabeth. Your main focus as a rugby coach is to assist in organizing training clinics and rugby matches for the children, and to ensure they have proper rugby equipment. This experience will be incredibly rewarding, both for you and for the young players. Through these training sessions, you will build friendships that will last a lifetime.

As a volunteer in South Africa, you will be responsible for overseeing all rugby training sessions and matches for your players. The rewards are immense because while the natural talent is often present, the understanding of basic rules and any form of structure is usually lacking. By introducing simple training in skills such as movement, positioning, and teamwork, the rugby players will develop quickly. Of course, you’ll never be alone in this; you will be supported by other volunteers and our local staff, who have their own training methods and ideas about rugby, which they are eager to share with you.

TENNIS COACH

Tennis often carries the image of being a sport associated with people from wealthy backgrounds. While South Africa has produced many top players over the years, such as Wayne Ferreira, David Adams, and Wesley Moodie, none have come from the underprivileged neighborhoods of the country. This might seem surprising given the genuine passion for the sport within our programs, but it’s also understandable, considering the lack of proper facilities available to people in these disadvantaged areas. Fortunately, through our tennis project in South Africa, you can collaborate with local organizations supported by the Roger Federer Foundation. The goal is to give a number of young tennis players the opportunity to pursue this sport in South Africa.

YOUR ROLE

We welcome volunteer coaches of all skill levels. The focus, however, is not on developing the next great tennis star of Africa, but rather on connecting with young players from underprivileged neighborhoods. You’ll quickly build friendships based on a shared passion: the love of tennis.

During the tennis project, you will be guided by our team in South Africa and will teach tennis alongside other volunteers to young people aged 6 to 16. In the initial phase as a tennis coach, your role will be to help organize and conduct training clinics and tennis matches for children. You’ll also support young players by providing them with proper sportswear. This will be a fantastic way to build friendships with your tennis players and to develop your own confidence as a tennis coach. In the second phase, you will plan and execute tennis tournaments that include both matches and team-building activities.

Your tennis project will always take place in the disadvantaged neighborhoods of South Africa, which means that there may sometimes be a lack of organization. However, if you’re able to embrace the unpredictability and accept that things won’t always go as planned, this will lead to an exciting and rewarding experience. You will never be alone in this journey; you will always be supported by dedicated locals funded by the Roger Federer Foundation.

In summary, as a volunteer tennis coach in South Africa, you will be responsible for conducting and overseeing all training sessions and tennis matches. This is a wonderful opportunity because while the talent for tennis often exists, the understanding of basic techniques and rules is usually lacking. You will spend time introducing and developing the fundamentals of tennis, including technical aspects such as serving, volleying, and backhand/forehand strokes to help players improve. You’ll also work on the general health and fitness of your players, usually through fun group sessions.

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FOOTBALL COACH

After South Africa hosted the World Cup in 2010, the world got to see firsthand how deeply football is loved here. In Port Elizabeth, they still vividly remember Wesley Sneijder’s header that secured the 2-1 victory against Brazil in the Port Elizabeth stadium! The underprivileged neighborhoods where we operate are also full of enthusiastic and often talented young footballers. Unfortunately, the opportunities for these talents to play football and develop their skills are often very limited. The players you will be training are located in schools within these disadvantaged neighborhoods and surrounding areas.

YOUR ROLE

As a volunteer football coach in South Africa, you will be responsible for overseeing all training sessions and matches for the players. The rewards are immense, as the talent is often there, but the knowledge of the rules and structure is lacking. By bringing structure and providing enjoyable training sessions, the players will develop quickly. You will receive plenty of support from other volunteers and our local staff.

In the initial phase as a football coach, you will assist in organizing training sessions and matches. You’ll also support the young players by providing them with proper sports gear. This is a fantastic way to build relationships with the footballers and to boost your own confidence as a coach. In the second phase, football tournaments will be planned, including both matches and team-building activities. While the focus is on personal skills and sports development, there will be ample opportunity to identify talented individuals who, with the right support and training, could pursue professional football. The sports academies we work with are keen to have us keep an eye on promising young players, ensuring they have the chance to advance in the sport they love.

As a volunteer, you should have a solid understanding of the basic rules of football, but no specific qualifications or prior experience are required. So, if you’re looking for an adventure where you can contribute to the local community by coaching football while also having the opportunity to explore South Africa, then this project is perfect for you!

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SWIM COACH

Swimming in South Africa has two contrasting sides. On one hand, the South African national swim team is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with on the international stage. On the other hand, 70% of the population has no swimming experience and therefore cannot swim. This is particularly surprising for a country that is bordered by the sea on the west, south, and east. This lack of swimming skills leads to over 1,000 drownings per year, and it probably won’t surprise you to learn that these drownings predominantly involve young people from underprivileged communities. These alarming statistics prompted ‘Swimming South Africa’ (SSA), the national governing body for swimming, to launch a national swimming campaign in 1999. The goal of this program is to teach every South African how to swim, with a particular focus on those from disadvantaged communities.

YOUR ROLE

Our swim coach project offers volunteers the opportunity to contribute to lessons that help South African children learn to swim. While there are opportunities to coach swimmers at a provincial level, the primary focus is on the government’s swimming campaign. This campaign teaches young people the techniques they need to stay safe in pools and at the beach. As part of this swim project, you will also receive an official Lifeguard Award, accredited by Life Saving South Africa.

The emphasis is on working with children from impoverished neighborhoods. The government subsidizes swimming lessons for township schools, allowing students to take classes at local pools. However, there is still a shortage of swim instructors and general assistants to help conduct these lessons.

Whether you are a qualified swim instructor or simply enjoy swimming and interacting with children, there is always a place for you. The swimmers range in age from 5 to 12 years old. You may be guiding some of these children as they enter a pool for the first time, or you might work with more experienced young swimmers. You can take on as much responsibility as your expertise allows.

Of course, you will be working alongside qualified swim instructors. As you assess the abilities and potential of individual swimmers, you can introduce your own ideas for swim training and even offer one-on-one lessons. However, qualified local staff will always be present to oversee these sessions.

Please note that swimming lessons take place in outdoor pools, and as such, they are subject to occasional bad weather. If a lesson is canceled, you can participate in other nearby activities or use the free time to relax.

AccommodatiON

The accommodation in Port Elizabeth is the perfect spot for you and your friends to stay and have a great time. You’ll usually share your room with others, which is a fantastic way to meet new people and make friends. If you’re planning to stay longer, there’s even the option to get your own room, though it does come with some extra costs. The place has everything you need to chill and have fun—there’s a cozy living room, a cool hangout area, a swimming pool to relax in, and a kitchen where you can whip up your own meals. Plus, you’ll feel safe and secure with 24/7 security keeping an eye on things, so you can focus on enjoying your time there.

ARRIVAL WEEKENDS

It is highly recommended to join one of the arrival weekends below. These are weekends in which many volunteers/interns arrive at the same time and an introduction, orientation and icebreaker activities take place. It is therefore always better to arrive on one of these Saturdays.
 
A session always ends with a holiday week. It is possible to stay at the accommodation this week or to choose to go on holiday for a week. You can join again the following week with a new session.
2025
 
January 11 – 4 to 12 weeks
February 8 – 4 to 8 weeks
March 8 – 4 weeks
April 12 – 4 to 12 weeks
May 10 – 4 to 8 weeks
June 7 – 4 weeks
July 26 – 4 weeks
August 30 – 4 to 12 weeks
September 27 – 4 to 8 weeks
October 25 – 4 weeks
 
The swimming program runs from January to March and from October to November.

WHY The power of Sports?

  • No registration fee or deposit.
  • A free intake interview for everyone.
  • Volunteer work abroad is affordable, especially when you consider what you get in return.
  • The only travel organization that focuses entirely on social sports trips.
  • We tell an honest story and assess whether you are suitable for the project.
  • Our programs are carried out responsibly and have a proven positive impact.
  • All our employees are well acquainted with our foreign programs.
  • We offer good personal guidance, both in your home country and abroad.
  • We are founders and part of the ‘volunteer aware’ quality mark. We want to emphasize that our projects are rooted in a sincere dedication to a noble goal.

How experienced do I need to be for my volunteer work?

None of our projects require you to have any certificates or have completed one (sports) study. As a volunteer, you will have a supporting role and will never be on your own. We are not necessarily looking for the South African super talent, but we want to help children from all social backgrounds to develop socially and build life skills through sports. You give the next generation the chance to play football in a fun and organised environment. So whatever your background and experience, you can be sure that you will make a positive contribution by volunteering as a coach in South Africa.
 
What is important is that you have a basic knowledge of the rules of the given sport and that you radiate a lot of enthusiasm.

I’m a vegetarian. Will my dietary preferences be accommodated?

  • If you let us know in advance that you are a vegetarian, the team in South Africa will make sure to accommodate your dietary preferences.

What do I need to consider when traveling abroad?

  • After our initial conversation, where everything is discussed, you’ll have some time to decide if this adventure is right for you. If you choose to go ahead, we will schedule a second conversation with you, during which we’ll go through the ‘Welcome Pack’ together. This pack contains all the details you need to consider, including what to bring, vaccinations, and other important preparations.

Can I volunteer for less than four weeks?

  • For your personal development, it is best to spend a longer period of time abroad. If you go for less than four weeks, it may feel more like a holiday experience. Therefore, we only offer volunteer opportunities starting from four weeks. To get the most out of your experience, we recommend staying for 12 weeks or longer.

Can I arrive earlier or later than the scheduled arrival weekend?

  • While it is possible to arrive earlier or later, it is strongly discouraged. Arriving outside the scheduled weekend means you’ll miss the introduction and orientation, and you’ll be joining an already established group, which can make it harder to integrate. However, if arriving earlier or later is unavoidable, or if flights are significantly cheaper, we recommend staying in a hostel for the first few days before moving to our accommodation. Let us know, and we’ll be happy to assist you!

How many other volunteers will be there?

  • There will always be other interns or volunteers at the accommodation in South Africa. The group size typically ranges between 15 and 35 people. They won’t all be from your home country; you’ll meet people from various countries. You can contact us to find out how many others will be there during your stay. Additionally, we create a group chat with other people from your home country who will be traveling at the same time, so you can get to know each other beforehand.

Morgan Harlin

Morgan Harlin is the coordinator in Port Elizabeth and has been with the organization since 2017. He originally began his journey as a volunteer, but his passion for the work and dedication to the community led him to become a permanent resident of South Africa and a key member of our team. Morgan’s extensive experience and deep understanding of the local culture make him an invaluable resource for volunteers. He will be your primary point of contact, ensuring that you have a rewarding and enriching learning experience during your time in South Africa. To make the most of your experience, we highly recommend reaching out to him before your trip. This will allow you to get to know him, discuss any questions you might have, and start preparing for the incredible journey ahead

4 weeks volunteering is
£1010  €1195  $1340

  • Beautiful accommodation.
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off.
  • Breakfast, lunch, dinner (also in the weekends).
  • Introduction and guided tour upon arrival.
  • A designated coordinator at your project location.
  • Regular social events and joint activities with other volunteers and interns
  • Visa advice and support
  • Access to the groups app with all other volunteers/interns who are traveling at the same time.
  • Contact details of your coordinator to get acquainted in advance

 

Any additional week is
£180  €210  $240

* Each additional week above 12 weeks is €170.

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