ABOUT MAURITIUS

Mauritius is a secluded island paradise located in the Indian Ocean, approximately 2,000 kilometers off the southeast coast of Africa. Known for its breathtaking natural beauty and rich biodiversity, the island is perhaps most famous as the home of the now-extinct dodo bird. However, Mauritius offers much more than just its iconic wildlife. It boasts a vibrant, multicultural society where people of various ethnicities, religions, and cultural backgrounds coexist harmoniously. With a complex colonial history involving Dutch, French, and British rule, the island has emerged as a developed nation, well-equipped to cater to tourists with its friendly locals, excellent infrastructure, delectable cuisine, and, of course, stunning beaches.

The linguistic diversity in Mauritius mirrors its cultural richness. The most commonly spoken language is Mauritian Creole, a unique blend of French, English, African, and Asian influences. The language is somewhat close to French, which is why the population is more likely to speak French. English is also widely spoken, particularly in formal and educational settings, making communication easy for visitors. Additionally, a segment of the population speaks Bhojpuri, an Indo-Aryan language, reflecting the island’s significant Indian heritage. This multilingual environment is not just a product of historical immigration and colonialism but is also a vital aspect of the island’s national identity and intercultural communication.

As a volunteer in Mauritius, you will have the opportunity to serve as a sports trainer in various sports fields and schools across the island. The children you will work with come from diverse backgrounds and often lack access to structured sports education, whether at school or through local clubs. Our foundation recognizes sports as an ideal medium to foster social integration among these children. Through sports, we aim to create a sense of community and address social challenges in the neighborhoods we serve. The sports lessons are designed not only to promote physical activity but also to teach essential life skills such as teamwork, decision-making, and leadership. Additionally, we provide educational support to help children develop their talents, empowering them to reach their full potential both on and off the field.

Sports in Mauritius

Football is immensely popular on the island and the people are crazy about the game. A good Premier League match is considered a national holiday. Mauritius is notable for producing many famous football referees who are present at major tournaments. The football talent on the island has also been noticed by Liverpool. The club has established a youth academy in Mauritius. Another popular sport is basketball, although this is seen more as a street sport and not really a sport played in a club. Handball comes in third place and is also a popular beach sport.

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BASKETBALL COACH

Basketball is a popular community sport for young people that is mainly played outdoors because of the year-round sunshine. There is a national league but it is also widely played outside of clubs. The school’s basketball coaches also coach local league teams. The opportunity to play abroad is limited and so the project encourages talented basketball players and coaches to come to Mauritius to share their knowledge of the game.

Your Role

Basketball training will take place on school grounds in a range of locations across the island. You will be supporting PE lessons and teaching a range of age groups. There will also be weekly after school camps and you will be required to prepare training sessions for these keen basketball players.
A typical day will involve 4-5 hours of training per day for children aged 11-17. Generally they will be reasonably proficient but your role will be to increase their skill level through structured exercises such as passing, shooting, positioning, movement and technique. You will have the support of local basketball coaches and trainers to assist you in delivering these sessions whilst also having the opportunity to run the sessions independently.
A key requirement will be to identify talented individuals and provide them with coaching to ensure they can reach their full potential. Hopefully one may be invited to join one of the national youth teams.
A series of basketball camps will be held daily during the week during school holidays. Your job is to help organize these and be part of the basketball coaching team. During the camps, inter-college tournaments are organized where you can see the impact of your basketball training.

HANDBALL COACH

Mauritius has competed against some of the best handball nations on the international stage. In addition, Mauritius hosted the 2017 World Youth Beach Handball Championships. The sport is played in schools across the island and there is a programme to raise the standard of the sport to improve the talent pool for the international youth team. There are numerous indoor and outdoor training facilities and the schools we work with all have outdoor training facilities. The Mauritian Handball Association is committed to providing a progressive sports development structure from grassroots to elite performance.

YOUR ROLE

Your work place is based within two schools on the island and offers handball training during gym lessons. These sessions for the beginner handball player are and are also aimed at encouraging more youngsters to take up the sport. During the after school camps there are sessions offered for those who want to continue learning within the sport. Evening sessions will take place at local clubs, where you can expect a higher level of training.
On average you will spend 4-5 hours a day coaching children aged 11-17. You will prepare your lessons to deliver key skills such as passing, defending, attacking, positioning and scoring techniques. You will be expected to be able to lead the training sessions but will have the support of teachers and coaches.
As a volunteer you will need to have a good knowledge of the basic rules of handball but no qualification or experience is required. So are you looking for an adventure, where you can help the local community by giving handball training, and get the chance to explore the beautiful island of Mauritius? Then this project is perfect for you!

FOOTBALL COACH

Football is by far the most popular sport on the island and the people have a huge interest in the English Premier League. You will often see people wearing football shirts of their favourite English club. Historically, Mauritius had a very strong national club and league structure that attracted large crowds. After a dramatic match in the late 1990s, where the result sparked national debate, it was subsequently decided to ban football at a local level for 18 months. The sad result was that the infrastructure and fan base declined and local clubs never recovered. Mauritius still plays football at a very high level but there is no opportunity to develop the youth. However, in 2019 Liverpool Football Club agreed to open the first football academy in Mauritius. The future looks bright again and now excellent football camps and tournaments take place throughout the year with a strong focus on football coaches to support these sports development initiatives.

YOUR ROLE

Along with other foot coaches, you will be part of a team who deliver football skills to various age groups during PE lessons and after school football camps. Schools will regularly compete against other schools. Depending on your experience and coaching skills, there is the opportunity to support coaches at the national junior teams to assist with football training. Our organisation is committed to providing football development from grassroots to high performance.
On average, you will spend 4-5 hours per day coaching children aged 11-17. Generally, they will be reasonably proficient, but your role will be to increase their skill level through structured exercises such as passing, shooting, positioning, movement and technique. You will have the support of local football coaches and trainers to assist you in delivering these training sessions, whilst also having the opportunity to run the sessions independently.
A key requirement will be to identify talented individuals and provide them with targeted coaching to ensure they can reach their full potential.
As a volunteer, you should have sufficient knowledge of the basic rules of football, but no qualification or experience is required. So are you looking for an adventure, where you can help the local population by giving football training, and get the opportunity to discover the beautiful island of Mauritius? Then this project is perfect for you!

SWIM COACH

In veel landen met een kustlijn of waterrijke omgeving is zwemmen een belangrijke vaardigheid voor de jeugd vanwege veiligheidsredenen en recreatieve activiteiten. In Mauritius, waar de zee een prominente rol speelt in het dagelijks leven en toerisme, kan zwemmen zowel een belangrijke levensvaardigheid als een populaire activiteit zijn.  De kinderen en jongeren uit onze programma’s kunnen helaas nog niet zwemmen goed genoeg zwemmen. Dit komt om verschillende redenen zoals gebrek aan toegang tot zwembaden, zwemlessen of bewustwording van het belang van zwemmen.
Samen met andere zwemdocenten maak je deel uit van een team die zwemlessen leveren aan verschillende leeftijdsgroepen. De zwemlessen vinden zowel plaats in een professioneel zwembad alsook in de zee.

Gemiddeld besteed je 4-5 uur per dag aan het trainen van kinderen van 5 tot en met 15 jaar. Over het algemeen gezien kunnen de kinderen en jongeren al enigszins zwemmen, maar het is jouw rol om het vaardigheidsniveau te verhogen door middel van gestructureerde oefeningen. Je krijgt de steun van de lokale badmeesters en docenten om je te helpen bij het geven van deze trainingen, terwijl je tegelijkertijd de kans krijgt om de sessies zelfstandig te leiden.

Een belangrijke vereiste zal zijn om getalenteerde individuen te identificeren en hen gerichte coaching te bieden om ervoor te zorgen dat ze hun volledige potentieel kunnen bereiken.

Als vrijwilliger dien je over voldoende kennis te beschikken over een zwemdiploma en enige ervaring in het geven van zwemlessen vereist. Dus ben jij op zoek naar een avontuur, waarbij je je in kan zetten voor de lokale bevolking door het geven van zwemlessen, en daarbij de mogelijkheid krijgt het prachtige eiland Mauritius te ontdekken? Dan is dit project helemaal voor jou!

Accommodation

The accommodation is located in ‘Flic en Flac’. Flic en Flac is a picturesque seaside resort on the west coast of Mauritius. With its white sandy beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters, Flic en Flac attracts thousands of tourists every year. The destination is known for its breathtaking sunsets and various water sports, including snorkeling and diving in the nearby coral reef. Along the coastline you will find numerous restaurants, bars and shops where you can enjoy local cuisine and buy souvenirs. Flic en Flac also offers a vibrant nightlife with various clubs and entertainment options. With its tropical charm and relaxed atmosphere, Flic en Flac is an ideal destination for both those seeking peace and quiet and adventure. In Flic en Flac you will stay in a villa that is fully equipped.

AANKOMSTWEEKENDEN

In Mauritius you can arrive on any weekend. Please note that the program runs from March to November. It is important that you arrive on a Saturday or Sunday.

WHY THE POwer of Sports

  • No registration fee and a no-obligation intake interview.
  • Our projects are affordable, especially when you consider what you get in return.
  • As 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, Before departure 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 any (sports) studies. As a volunteer, you will have a supporting role and will never be alone. We are not necessarily looking for the next Messi, but we want to help children from all social backgrounds to develop socially and build life skills through sports. You will give the next generation the opportunity 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 Mauritius.
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 am a vegetarian. Will my dietary requirements be taken into account?

  • If you inform us in advance that you are a vegetarian, arrangements can be made to accommodate this in Mauritius.

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.

What do I need to consider when traveling abroad?

  • After our initial conversation, where everything will be discussed, you’ll have time to reflect on whether this adventure is right for you. If you decide to proceed, we will schedule a second conversation during which we will go through the ‘Welcome Pack’ together. This pack contains all the important details, including what you need to consider, what to bring, vaccinations, and more.

How many other people will I be volunteering with?

  • There will always be other interns or volunteers at the accommodation in Mauritius. The group size usually ranges between 5 and 10 people, and they come from various countries. You can contact us to find out how many others will be there during your stay. Additionally, we will create a group chat with others from your home country who will be traveling at the same time, so you can get to know each other beforehand.

Darren Taylor

Darren Taylor is our coordinator in Mauritius. He is half English and half Mauritian. Darren is a big sports fanatic with a preference for basketball and football. He is well-known in the travel industry so he can tell you all about the secret places and sights of the island. Darren wants to get more involved in social projects and sees the combination with sports as the best way to contribute to the island where his roots and heart lie.

4 weeks volunteering is
£1000 €1190 $1320

  • Beautiful accommodation.
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off.
  • Breakfast (also on 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 travelling at the same time.
  • Contact details of your coordinator to get to know each other in advanceAny additional week is
    £210  €240  $270
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