The schools we work with are mainly for the underprivileged children in the local community and they have a love for sports and are very keen and eager to learn. Sports classes are run in conjunction with the Life Orientation classes. The average class size is between 15 and 40.
You can coach a variety of sports, such as Cricket, Football, Netball and Rugby. Although facilities are basic, there is still a lot that you can do to help the children in their development of sports skills.
The purpose of the Life Orientation classes is to develop Team work, Confidence, Self Esteem, Communication Skills and Leadership. These classes also help to develop skills, knowledge, values and attitudes that empower learners to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions regarding:
■ Health promotion;
■ Social development;
■ Personal development;
■ Physical development, movement and orientation to the world of work.
As sports lessons are run in conjunction with Life Orientation classes, it is difficult to say how much of your day will be devoted to coaching sports, because it depends on the school timetable. Therefore, some of your day will also involve teaching general classes as well. However, if you use your initiative and enthusiasm to generate sports activity when and where you can, or even after school, you'll have a reasonable amount of sports coaching ... and the children will love it!
Sports in South Africa are becoming compulsory. Unfortunately many children don't receive a proper sports education at their school, which is why your help is needed. You'll also provide essential education for the school teachers, who'll learn from you and be able to carry on with your coaching assignments once you've left, ensuring some continuity for the children. This is not a full-time sports project and won't fill up your entire timetable, you will have the opportunity to teach other subjects during the day, such as conversational English or any other subjects you may be interested in.
FREE COACHING MANUALS:
As a volunteer sports coach with Travellers, you have access to a large number of coaching manuals for each sport - these manuals have been produced in-house and are very useful to help you to plan coaching sessions for your students
ACCOMMODATION:
The volunteer house in Knysna is within walking distance of the town, yet set against a natural green belt. Often the local Vervet monkey troop comes onto the verandahs to visit to entertain the volunteers with their antics. The sunset views from the top balcony of the volunteer house of the Knysna lagoon are beautiful.
The house is large and spacious with free WiFi. Facilities include a kitchen kitted out for cooking, dining area, a few bathrooms, TV, DVD player, free Wi-Fi, garden and several wooden verandahs.
There is an outside courtyard and garden in the secure grounds where you can have a typical South African barbeque known there as a ‘braai’. Make sure you try the local spicy sausage known as ‘boerewors’(my favourite!)
WHAT TO DO NEXT:
If you’d like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us! If you’d like to apply for this project, please go to our website and complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, we’ll liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen.
