Experiences
Volunteering abroad
You choose the sport, they are waiting for you
Argentina, Costa Rica, Curaçao, Ghana, Indonesia, Nepal, Saint Lucia or South Africa. You spend a few weeks or months as a volunteer at one of our projects, coaching the sport you most enjoy passing on. Football, hockey, basketball, swimming, dance and more: whatever you bring with you.
The children in our programmes often lack structured sports lessons. With us they play sport in a safe environment, away from the street and gang culture, and along the way they learn skills that will serve them for the rest of their lives. From teamwork and losing gracefully to swimming and English.
You do not need a sports qualification. Enthusiasm, a bit of perseverance and a real wish to be there matter more than your certificates.
Eight countries to choose fromYou choose your own sportNo registration fee or depositSupport on site and from the UK
You’re never alone
Once you know which project appeals to you, you apply and we schedule a no-obligation conversation. Before you leave the UK, we put you in touch with other volunteers and interns heading to the same project, so you can arrange the journey together.
Our former volunteers are happy to tell you what it was like for them. Just ask for their details, that is exactly what they are there for.
Someone is waiting for you on site
In every country you are welcomed by our own coordinator, who shows you around, answers your questions and is always available. If you would like to speak to them before you go, we will arrange it.
On top of that, there is support from the UK, available day and night. Even if something happens at home while you are away.
Our approach
From the first enquiry to your return home
Four conversations – and throughout, you’re never just a number.
1Introductory callEveryone starts here. We tell you all about the country, the project and the accommodation. If you are not yet sure which place suits you, we will help you decide.
2Contact with the projectNext, you receive the details of the coordinator on site and of a volunteer who is there now or has just returned. That way you hear first hand whether your wishes are realistic.
3Pre-departure briefing: Once you’re sure, we’ll go through all the next steps with you: the flight, the visa, insurance and even what type of plug they use there. You’ll set off fully prepared.
4Debrief after your returnOnce you are home, we would love to hear your story. If you write it down, we will put it on the website so the next volunteer knows what to expect.
Destinations
Choose from eight countries
Each country has its own page detailing the project, the accommodation and the costs.
Why us
Why ‘The Power of Sports’
- We design our programmes ourselves, using an approach that works.
- Affordable volunteering, with no registration fee or deposit.
- The only British organisation that focuses entirely on becoming a sports coach abroad.
- Everyone starts with a no-obligation introductory call.
- We tell it like it is, even when things don’t go to plan.
- Our programmes are delivered in a responsible manner and have a proven positive impact.
- All our staff are familiar with the programmes abroad from their own experience.
- Personal support, in the UK and on-site.
- Over ten years’ experience.
- Founding member of the Volunteer Aware quality mark.
Behind the programmes
What we do
The children and young people in our programmes do not have access to regular sports lessons – neither at school nor through a sports club. We do, however, provide these lessons in the sports that are popular in that country.
The aim is to make the most of talent, develop social skills, improve health, open up conversations about difficult subjects and bring the neighbourhood a little closer together. Volunteers are indispensable in this. We also support the projects with money, clothing and sports equipment.
It all starts with a conversation
You never apply straight away for the volunteering itself. The first step is always an introductory call, in which we tell you everything about the country, the project and the accommodation. Only then do you decide whether to go.