Cricket Coaching Volunteer Project in South Africa, Port Elizabeth

Cricket in South Africa
If there’s one thing you need to know about South Africans, it’s that they are nuts about cricket! Their passion for cricket is pretty much unrivalled and the game is played by thousands all over the country, including in the townships where you will often see many improvised games going on in the dusty streets. World class players continue to fuel the passion for South African cricket and more and more township children dream of representing their nation in test match cricket. However, like many opportunities in South Africa’s townships, the chance to play cricket in a structured environment, as part of a team and with decent cricket equipment is sadly not there. Luckily, by joining our cricket coaching project in Port Elizabeth, you can start to help address this problem.

Your Cricket Volunteer Placement
With your help as a volunteer cricket coach, township hopes can start to become a sports reality. We welcome volunteers sports coaches with various levels of cricket experience, be it playing socially with friends, representing your school, club or university cricket team, or even as far as holding recognised cricket coaching qualifications. The key focus of our cricket coaching projects is to give kids the chance to play cricket in a fun and structured environment. The emphasis is not on developing Africa’s next international cricket star, but rather on getting alongside children from poorer backgrounds and building friendships through a common interest and your love of cricket. So, whatever your background in cricket, be assured that you will be able to offer something positive to the young and enthusiastic cricket players you work with.

During your cricket coaching placement, you will be under the guidance of our in-country team. The first stage as a volunteer cricket coach is to help organise and run training clinics and cricket matches for your young cricketers, as well as providing them with decent cricket equipment to use. This will be a great experience for building relationships with your players and also for developing your own confidence as a volunteer sports coach. The second stage will be planning and running cricket tournaments that incorporate both cricket matches and team-building activities. Although the focus is on personal skills and sports development, there will be ample opportunity to scout for talented cricketers who, with the right support and cricket training, could go on to play professional level cricket. The cricket academies we work with are keen to identify the cricket players who will form South Africa’s next generation of test match cricketers. And who knows, you may meet a budding player who is destined for a future at the top end of the game!

Your Cricket Coaching Role
Volunteering as a cricket coach in South Africa means you are responsible for running and supervising all cricket training and cricket matches for your players. This may sound daunting at first but you will soon realise that you have an understanding of cricket that your players are eager to acquire. The rewards are huge because the young cricketers are extremely enthusiastic but they rarely get to experience a team structure. By introducing simple batting and fielding techniques, as well as position holding and team play, your cricket players will develop rapidly. You will also have plenty of support from the other volunteer coaches and our in-country staff who will give you all the cricket training ideas you might need. From intricate bowling techniques to afternoon beach cricket sessions, you will soon develop your own cricket coaching programme, unique to you and your young players.

Summer Camps
Summer camps in South Africa run for 5 weeks from mid July to mid August. These camps are run by our charity partners in Port Elizabeth and focus on a range of objectives: to teach kids sports, to develop interpersonal skills, to educate the community about HIV and healthy living. Volunteer sports coaches are required for all sports.

Criminal Records Check
We require you to complete a criminal records check in order to take part in this experience. We can accept those that have been done in the last two years if you have the certificate. In the UK it can be done through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), in the USA further details can be found on Travel.State.Gov, otherwise please search for your local service provider. We may also request a reference from a reliable source. You must supply these to us before departure and also take a copy with you to present to the in-country team.

Why do we require a criminal background check?
1) Ensuring a safe environment is conducive to learning, productivity and overall positive experiences for everyone involved.

2) We implement thorough screening processes and we are committed to safety and integrity, fostering trust among participants and the local community.

3) Conducting background checks serves as a preventive measure, deterring individuals with questionable backgrounds from attempting to participate in our programme.

4) Safeguards vulnerable people from potential harm within the programme.

Gap Year, Student Placements and Career Break Cricket Options in South Africa
South Africa is the perfect place to experience a gap year cricket project. You can play cricket during your gap year, enjoy exciting gap year travel with the other gap year volunteers on your project, and enjoy a truly unforgettable sports gap year opportunity abroad.

Programme Dates 2024
13th Jan – 4 to 11 weeks
10th Feb – 4 to 7 weeks
2nd Mar – 4 weeks
30th Mar – 4 to 12 weeks
27th Apr – 4 to 8 weeks
25th May – 4 weeks
13th Jul – 4 weeks
17th Aug – 4 to 12 weeks
14th Sep – 4 to 8 weeks
12th Oct – 4 weeks

Note 1: 4 weeks = 28 nights, 5 weeks = 35 nights, 6 weeks = 42 nights, 7 weeks = 49 nights, 8 weeks = 56 nights, 9 weeks = 63 nights, 10 weeks = 70 nights, 11 weeks = 77 nights, 12 weeks = 84 nights

Note 2: dates are based on school holidays and are subject to change.

Note 3: All programmes run from Saturday to Saturday

Road Trip to Cape Town – GBP £375
We also run a 7 night road trip from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town, which may reduce your community activity by one week, so check the session you are booking. On the final day, you can either part ways from Cape Town or head back on our minibus arriving in Port Elizabeth approx. 15:00. You can stay at our accommodation that night if required.

Road Trip Dates 2024
22nd Mar – 29th Mar
14th – 21st Jun
9th – 16th Aug
1st – 8th Nov

Visa
British Nationals only require a visa to enter South Africa if they intend on staying over 90 days but this can be extended once in-country. We recommend you research this yourself depending on what Nationality you are.

Equipment Donation for South Africa
We are dedicated to sustainable development. This is why part of the fee you pay goes towards buying decent equipment for beneficiary organisations in South Africa. You will often use this equipment during your project and it is always left with the community when you leave. In some cases, an equipment donation may not be appropriate so a financial contribution is made instead.

Sports Camps
The majority of your volunteer project will coincide with the school term but during school holidays you will be able to coach at sports camps in or around the Port Elizabeth area. There is a big need for volunteer coaches at these camps and they are a fantastic way of coaching sports to children who do not usually have access to sports during term time. The camps expose sport to a large number of African children and are something the young athletes have come to depend on and really enjoy. The camps also allow you to see other parts of South Africa that you would not otherwise experience.

Other Volunteer Projects
In addition to your main sports coaching project, you can get involved with some non-sports volunteer projects if you wish. Projects range from care work with orphans to teaching in local schools. And with a western education, you will be able to make a significant contribution to the standard of teaching that the young students receive. Subject areas include English, maths, science, business, IT, and a whole variety of extra-curricular activities. Many volunteers find this element of their volunteer trip one of the most rewarding.

Social Life in South Africa
We believe it is important to give our volunteers the chance to unwind and have fun while they are away. Our in-country team therefore organises a variety of social activities to bring volunteers together, to share their experiences and, above all, have a good time. The social life in South Africa really is second to none and you will return home with some truly unforgettable memories and friends for life. With so many sporty people living together, social sports teams are pretty much unavoidable and there are plenty of local teams to play for. For the less competitive, why not head to the beach for some casual volleyball and football matches in the African sunshine? You’ll also get to experience plenty of Bomas during your stay (authentic South African barbeques under the stars). Sport, friendship and lots of laughs – what more could you want from a social life abroad?

Playing Sport in South Africa
If you fancy playing some sport while you are away, or simply enjoy the social side as a supporter, you should join our sports team, Stroh. A number of matches are played across a variety of sports including football, rugby, cricket and more. This will give you the chance to play against local teams in a fun and competitive environment. Although the matches are often taken quite seriously – it is sport after all! – the side places a strong emphasis on the social side of sport. This gives you a great experience of playing sport overseas while building cross-cultural friendships and enjoying Stroh’s fiery post-match celebrations! If you want to know what Stroh means, I guess you’ll have to book a volunteer project in South Africa!

Accommodation
Your accommodation is basic but comfortable and you will stay in a dormitory style room. The accommodation has a very sociable atmosphere and you will find it a great place to relax and unwind in the evenings. The accommodation is also centrally located to your volunteer project with shops and other useful amenities either a short walk or taxi ride away. With so many volunteers living together, you will soon find our communal house your new home, away from home.

Accommodation
Volunteer lodge with shared rooms (4-10 people per room); Basic but comfortable; Shared toilet and shower facilities; Communal areas for socialising and relaxation inclucing pool, TV and games room and bar; Single and double rooms may also be available – contact us.

Food
3 meals a day; Basic but nutritious.

Airport Pick-Up
Included on arrival and departure date. Ask us for details if you are arriving early.

Training
Full project induction and local orientation given on arrival.

Support
Pre-departure help and advice; Local in-country team; 24 hour emergency support.

Donation
Part of your fee maybe used to buy decent equipment for the project and community you work with. We also encourage you to bring any extra equipment that you are happy to give away but this will need to fall within your personal weight allowance with the airline you travel with.

Flights; Travel Insurance; Visas; Vaccinations; Spending money; In country travel; Laundry service; Extra activities not on itinerary.

Preferred Duration
Volunteers should try to come for as long as possible preferably for 8 or 12 weeks. This ensures better management of the project and also helps you get the most from the social activities and group travel opportunities on offer.

Typical Hours
Monday-Friday; 4-6 hours a day; Occasional work at weekends but usually free for personal time and travel. Please be aware that some public holidays may cause disruption to times / days during your volunteer project.

Pre-requisites
No prior coaching experience or qualifications are required, but a basic understanding of the game and/or playing experience is necessary.

Ideal For
Sports Gap Years and Career breaks; Gap Breaks; Gap Years and Volunteer Travel; Cricket Coaching in South Africa; Sports Volunteering in Africa.

Suitable for ages 18 to 80

Most participants are between 18 and 25, so please be aware of this. We do welcome older people because of the value and experience they bring to the community. We have even had people in their late 70s join us so don't be put off!