from 1,388€

Brilliant 4.7rating (69)

Sports Experience and Coaching

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 17 - 50+

rating  Brilliant 4.7  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Have fun with the "Kids in Traffic program teaching little ones called the rules of the road with road sign props and bicycles with the aim of instilling road safety from an early age.
  • Aside from physical education, cycling, golf, soccer, touch rugby, hockey, bowls, cricket and even recently swimming are just a few of the sports that are coached and part of the outreach programs
  • For those that enjoy cycling, the outreach cycling program has some incredibly beautiful scenic routes and is highly popular with sports volunteers
  • Get involved with sports administration, setting up for matches and tournaments and general maintenance on sports grounds and with equipment.
  • Jam packed weekends filled with extreme sports, whale & dolphin watching, local markets, lagoon cruises, beach & forest walks, wildlife safaris & animal sanctuaries

Especially good for

Age 17+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+

About the program

This is the perfect project for the sports enthusiasts! Get involved with creches, schools and community outreach programs coaching sports and learning about sports admin

Sport is such a great way to develop not only healthy bodies but also healthy minds but in the poorer areas it can be very difficult for children to get proper coaching and sports facilities are very limited. This is where the Sports Experience project plays such an important role. Established in ...

About the program

Sport is such a great way to develop not only healthy bodies but also healthy minds but in the poorer areas it can be very difficult for children to get proper coaching and sports facilities are very limited. This is where the Sports Experience project plays such an important role. Established in 1992, the sports school facilitates fantastic sports outreach programs into schools and creches. Aside from physical education, cycling, golf, soccer, touch rugby, hockey, bowls, cricket and even recently swimming are just a few of the sports that are coached which gives some of the talented youth who normally would not have access to take part in these sports, the opportunity to do so and excel.

There is a great program for the little ones called “kids in traffic” that teaches foundation phase learners at creches and playschools the rules of the road with road sign props and bicycles with the aim of instilling road safety from an early age. Foundation phase learners also have general physical education so the sports experience project has so much variety with age group, locations, and socio-economic background of the youth you will be assisting with

You would also be involved with sports administration, setting up for matches and tournaments and general maintenance on sports grounds and with equipment so it is a great all-around sports project for those crazy about sports and wanting to uplift youth from disadvantaged areas with sports development …. or even those looking at studying sports development and coaching as a career

Coaching can take place within the various schools and creches, driving ranges and golf courses and some at the sports school grounds depending on the school term and season as some sports are seasonal. For those that enjoy cycling, the cycling program has some incredibly beautiful scenic routes and is highly popular both with volunteers, coaches and the youth….but make sure you stick to the group and don’t get lost like some past volunteers!

If you have an interest in a particular sport, please let us know so we can do our best to accommodate you.

If you would like to assist in a specific sport, the seasons for the different sports are as follows:

  • Competitive Bowls, Tag Rugby, Golf and Cycling: All year round
  • Cricket: January – mid March, and September – mid November
  • Tennis: April – end of May
  • Hockey: Mid-March until September


South Africa school terms for 2021

1st Term: 13th of January to the 26th of March

2nd Term: 07th of April to the 11th of June

3rd Term 6th of July to the 11th of September

4th Term 28th of September to the 1st of December


Typical day

Typical day

7.30am - Up for breakfast, freshen up and get ready for the day. Remember to pack a light lunch

8.30am- You will be collected by our volunteer coordinator and taken to the sports sports to go through the days programs. 

8.30am to 13pm- There are numerous outreach programs throughout the ...

Typical day

Typical day

7.30am - Up for breakfast, freshen up and get ready for the day. Remember to pack a light lunch

8.30am- You will be collected by our volunteer coordinator and taken to the sports sports to go through the days programs. 

8.30am to 13pm- There are numerous outreach programs throughout the day so you will selected to assist one of the coaches to help at the various schools with learners and also setting up equipment

13pm to 13.30pm- Break for lunch

14pm to 17pm- Outreach  and after school sports programs depending on the seasonal sport played

17pm- you will be fetched by our volunteer coordinator and taken to your volunteer accommodation unless you choose to stay a little later and help with the cycling program which ends a little later. 

The outreach programs change according to the sports coached that season. Friday afternoons are often spent getting ready for Saturday tournaments and matches. You may be asked to help with the Saturday tournaments and matches



Free-time activities

Knysna is one of South Africa’s favourite towns based around the beautiful Knysna estuary with views of the iconic headlands. It is not known as the jewel of the Garden Route for nothing and is surrounded by magical forests, farmlands and a breath-taking coastline dotted with blue flag beaches ...

Free-time activities

Knysna is one of South Africa’s favourite towns based around the beautiful Knysna estuary with views of the iconic headlands. It is not known as the jewel of the Garden Route for nothing and is surrounded by magical forests, farmlands and a breath-taking coastline dotted with blue flag beaches which are great for swimming, barbequing or just simply watching dolphins surfing in the waves. It is also home to the famous elusive Knysna elephant which are the most southern free roaming elephants in the world and there are still hot debates about the numbers with some saying there is only one left and others a small herd of about 4.

The area that Knysna is situated is the Garden Route of the province of the Western Cape and it is a dream for animal lovers and extreme sports enthusiasts as there are numerous private wildlife reserves, national parks, whale watching, predator sanctuaries, primate sanctuaries, elephant sanctuaries, wolf sanctuaries, skydiving, paragliding, sandboarding, numerous interesting markets and so much more so boredom is not an option.


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 17 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 17 years old on the program start date.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Criminal Background Check

required

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

Sports management students are welcome too if they need to gain practical credits for their studies

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:30 - 17:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Volunteer Int. Adventures

The cost of the project includes accommodation, a food allowance, daily transport to and from the project, airport collections and drop offs, staff on the ground available for emergencies 24/7 and to oversee your stay and safety, marketing costs, donations to the project, a Saturday tour of markets and a wildlife safari- entrance fee for your own cost-and a Sunday lunch braai (BBQ) either at the beach or the forest with all the trimmings with true South African hospitality. 

The Saturday tour and Sunday braai are included for those booking 15 days and longer. For those booking 14 days, only one or the other, is included

Airport Pickup at George Airport

You will need to fly into George Airport for your airport collection where you will be met by your Volunteer International Adventures representative and driven to your volunteer accommodation in Knysna. Arrival and departures days must be Mondays to Fridays

Accommodation

The volunteer accommodation is at lovely self-catering apartment in the the town of Knysna close to shopping malls, restaurants, take-aways, gyms, nightlife, entertainment areas and essential services. There is security and the area is safe to walk around. Accommodation is either shared with another volunteer or single depending on volunteer numbers with each bedroom being either double or twin beds, a TV, bathroom, kitchen, living area and wifi. Couples, friends, and families can be accommodated.

Food & Beverages

You will also receive a food allowance for your basic food essentials for prepared meals. You will be taken for a grocery shop as part of your induction on your arrival. This means that you can choose the specific food if you have set dietary requirements. There is a kitchen for cooking

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is George Airport (GRJ) in George. We assist you to find cheap flights to South Africa. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for South Africa provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in South Africa you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for South Africa. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

Starting days are Monday to Friday in the South African school term

School terms for 2025

  • Term 1: 15 January 2025 to 28 March 2025 
  • Term 2: 8 April 2025 to 27 June 2025 
  • Term 3: 22 July 2025 to 3 October 2025
  • Term 4: 13 October 2025 to 10 December 2025
There is no availability from the 4th of October to the end of 2024.


Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 1,388€
3 weeks 1,805€
4 weeks 2,221€
5 weeks 2,398€
6 weeks 2,651€
7 weeks 3,029€
8 weeks 3,408€
9 weeks 3,787€
10 weeks 4,165€
11 weeks 4,544€
12 weeks (max. stay) 4,923€
Average fees 552€/week

Program fees

552€ per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 17 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

2 - 12 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Volunteer Int. Adventures during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Volunteer Int. Adventures

Brilliant 4.7 rating (69 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2020

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Sharon

Spoken languages: English, Afrikaans

About the project

We are a hands-on volunteer organisation with 16 years' experience of working with volunteers in animal care, veterinary, conservation and youth projects.

Meet your organization

Volunteer International Adventures is dedicated to youth and animal projects, which are areas of great passion for us. We recognize the need for assistance from international volunteers in developing countries and have witnessed the transformative impact of their hands-on involvement on communities and conservation efforts.

"Empowering Change Through Ethical Volunteer holidays"

Our core priorities are as follows:

1. Culture and Cultural Sensitivity:

We encourage our volunteers to fully immerse themselves in the culture of the country they are volunteering in, understanding that volunteering differs significantly from being a tourist. By working closely with local communities and project partners, our volunteers gain profound insights into the challenges faced by the country. We actively support and facilitate opportunities for volunteers to engage in various activities, interact with locals, and educate themselves about the nation's history, no matter how difficult it may be. Cultural sensitivity is paramount, and we ensure that our approach is collaborative rather than imposing our own ideas. We welcome suggestions and creative ideas from our volunteers, as they often prove to be feasible and enrich the communities we serve.

2. Fulfilling Volunteer Experiences:

We strive to ensure that all our volunteers leave with a sense of accomplishment. Whether it is helping a child grasp mathematics, teaching cricket to school children, providing sewing classes to uplift youth, participating in wildlife conservation efforts such as satellite collaring African wild dogs or rhino relocation, collecting data on great white shark populations, treating sick indigenous wildlife, assisting with animal sterilization in disadvantaged communities, instilling a love for reading in children, or teaching marimba classes—the list is diverse and extensive. We want our volunteers to develop a deep connection with the country they are assisting and forge lifelong friendships that can serve as future ambassadors for their respective nations.

3. Ethical Projects:

We strictly oppose trophy hunting and the breeding of lions for commercial gain. Our wildlife and animal projects take place in free-roaming reserves, registered rehabilitation centers, or sanctuaries where the animals are non-releasable due to injuries, human habituation, or being non-indigenous to the area. We support local and ethical animal sanctuaries and reserves, which our volunteers can visit during their free time. When working with children in teaching, care, or youth development projects, we require a recent paper copy of a background check (CRB check) from volunteers' countries of origin. This precaution ensures the safety and well-being of the children we serve, who often come from challenging socio-economic backgrounds and have been let down by adults in the past. We prioritize the protection of innocent animals and children who cannot advocate for themselves.

4. Responsible and Sustainable Approach:

We take pride in implementing responsible and sustainable projects that involve local community members, ensuring the continuity of operations even when volunteer numbers are low. While some projects rely heavily on volunteer support due to limited funds, we strive to strike a balance by involving sufficient local participation.

5. Cost Effectiveness:

Having collaborated with volunteers on projects for nearly 15 years, we recognize that volunteering can come at a significant cost. Therefore, we are committed to making volunteering more accessible, reasonable, and inclusive. Our projects encompass various extras, and we maintain affordability by keeping costs low and encouraging increased hands-on assistance. We offer negotiable family, friends, and group discounts, as volunteering together enables us to further reduce expenses. Loyalty is rewarded, and returning volunteers receive special recognition in our projects. Additionally, our costs include donations to our projects, contributing to their sustainability and impact.

6. Safety:

The safety of our volunteers is of paramount importance. We thoroughly vet and assess all our projects, ensuring adequate safety measures are in place. While certain areas may be off-limits due to potential risks, it is important to note that complete safety guarantees are impossible in any location. We have established channels for reporting incidents and maintain close relationships with in-country support on the ground. Furthermore, we possess liability insurance and require all participants to have personal travel insurance. To provide comprehensive support, we arrange airport collections and drop-offs, ensuring our volunteers are assisted throughout their entire journey. We pride ourselves on delivering a personal touch and remain available 24/7 to address any emergencies.

Please remember to arrange your comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking your trip, as it is an essential aspect of ensuring your well-being and peace of mind.

We sincerely appreciate your interest in Volunteer International Adventures and our commitment to making a positive impact through responsible volunteering. Should you have any further questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

69 reviews · rating4.7

Kemly Yambay rating5

2024 at Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation

An experience that I will never forget and forever in my heart thanks to all the team of the Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation. Amazing team and good people My best wishes for the new farm and see you guys very ...
Lynn van den Broecke rating5

2024 at Ethical Predator Sanctuary Assistant

A massive thank you to everyone who was involved in this project! I felt safe and well taken care of. I think about this experience a lot. I would definitely recommend it to everyone! ...
I have absolutely loved my experience in South Africa volunteering with Endangered Wildlife Monitoring and Research, and I am sad that I have to leave in a few days. By the time I leave I will have spent six weeks in South Africa, so I've been lucky enough to volunteer at all three of the reserves ...
It is difficult to know where to begin, this process has utterly changed my life in the most positive ways. During my stay in Knysna I got the opportunity to volunteer at a local NGO that offers so many people the support they need. The work involves engaging and educating prisoners to working in ...
Esther Burden rating5

2024 at Big Cat Sanctuary on a Wildlife Reserve

I would 100% recommend this excellent volunteer programme to anyone interested in big cats. I know now that i didn’t do enough research about the lion industry and ethical vs non-ethical sanctuarys before my three-month stay at this sanctuary, but i was very lucky to end up somewhere where the ...
Karine Bottiglieri rating5

2024 at Whales, Sharks and Penguins Conservation

truly exceptional, Where to start, the warm and sincere welcome. I am French, my English is average, but they made themselves available to me, they took the time to explain to me so that I understood, always with a smile and patience. the whole team goes out of their way to show you the wonders of ...

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Contact Sharon
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English, Afrikaans

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