As if you need telling, South Africans are extremely passionate about Rugby and are renowned for being a very tough and technical force on the international stage. However, while rugby is a passion for many, very few get to play and develop in a well-structured environment. The irony is that many of the most promising rugby players live in and around South Africa’s many townships, their sporting talent left undiscovered and undeveloped. The opportunities to play rugby in the townships are very limited, but you will often see improvised rugby games being played in the streets, the passion for the game too strong to suppress. Many children dream of being the next black African to lead the Springboks to World Cup victory, but without the proper chance to play and further their game, this will remain a township dream for the vast majority.

 

It is with your support as a volunteer rugby coach that these seemingly abstract dreams can begin to be turned into a reality. We welcome rugby volunteers who enjoy playing or coaching rugby, be it socially with friends, representing your school, club or university team, or even as far as holding rugby coaching qualifications. The emphasis is not on developing Africa 's next international rugby players, but about getting alongside children from disadvantaged backgrounds and building friendships over a common ground – your passion for rugby. It is from here that you will start to give enthusiastic rugby players the chance to play rugby in an organised and fun sports environment. Whatever your background, be assured that you will be able to offer something positive to the children and rugby coaching projects you work on.

 

You will be under the guidance of our in-country team and be based in the townships and schools that skirt Port Elizabeth. The first stage as a volunteer rugby coach is to help organise and run training clinics and rugby matches for the children, as well as providing them with decent rugby equipment. This will be a great experience for building friendships and developing your own confidence in sports coaching. The second stage will be planning rugby tournaments that incorporate rugby matches and team-building activities. Although the focus is on personal skills and sports development, you will naturally keep an eye out for talented individuals who, with the right support and rugby training, could go on to play professional rugby. The sports academies with which we work are keen to identify the rugby players who will form South Africa 's next generation of Springboks.

 

Being a volunteer rugby coach in South Africa will mean you are responsible for running and supervising all rugby training and matches for your rugby players. This may sound daunting but you will soon realise that you have an understanding of rugby that your players are so desperate to gain. The rewards are great because the raw sporting talent is often there, but the understanding of the basics and the experience of a team structure are often not. By introducing simple ball handling skills, movement, position holding and team play, your rugby players will develop rapidly. You will also have solid support from the other volunteer sports coaches and our in-country staff who will give you all the rugby training methods and ideas that you need. From complicated technical plays and beach runs to rucking and mauling formations, you will soon develop your own rugby coaching programme, unique to you and your rugby players.

 

Coaching rugby in South Africa during your gap year is the perfect way to enjoy gap year travel while giving something back through a gap year volunteer project. Our rugby project will provide fantastic gap year opportunities, unforgettable gap year memories, close friendships, and the gap sports experience of your life.