Sports Volunteering Projects Overseas, Gap Years and Internships

Wherever you travel in the world you will always find people who love sport. Sport brings people together and helps to build strong communities, as well as contributing to the creation of healthy, happy individuals. Sport can also provide a much-needed distraction from more negative aspects of people's lives and, to many people from disadvantaged backgrounds it can offer a route out of poverty and a path of excitement and promise.

Regular and organised sports coaching can have a very positive impact on children. As well as the obvious physical and mental benefits that regular exercise provides, there are many inherent life-skills to be learnt, such as the importance of team-work, communication and discipline. And, of course, there is a great deal of fun and excitement to be had along the way!

Projects Abroad has just launched a dedicated sports website. Click for more information on volunteer sports projects.

Projects Abroad Sports Coaching Placements

Each of our volunteer Sports projects share the following aims:

• Fostering of local sporting talent - through provision of quality coaches and support for our volunteer trainee coaches.
• Development of the wider communities in which we work - through the offering of alternatives to young people from impoverished areas.
• Inclusion - making sport available to all.

Your Role Volunteering Abroad on a Sports Project

As a volunteer on a Projects Abroad Sports Project you will be helping with all these aspects of development whilst working with some of the most enthusiastic people in some of the poorest communities in the developing world.

Whatever sports placement you decide is right for you: football in Ghana, cricket in India or volleyball in Bolivia, we can help you make the best of your time. You could be learning more about your sport in the morning and organising a match in the afternoon. Volunteer coaches are responsible for helping in the organisation of all aspects of sporting provision, from setting up training drills and fitness sessions, to coaching teams in competitive games.

Through well established relationships with local teams and clubs, and carefully structured sports placements we are able to assist volunteers regardless of coaching experience. Whatever your interests we can find the right Sports project for you!

Once you have applied the Desk Officer in your destination country will get in touch with you to find out more about you, ask for your CV and explain more about the sports options in the country you will be joining.   

"The best aspect of my sports placement was working with and coaching excellent footballers."
Gordon Sutcliffe - Sports Volunteer in Ghana.

"In terms of the project I could not have asked for a better placement. The football coaching undertaken at Cantonments was hard, especially for a Scotsman in the heat, but thoroughly rewarding. It was a real privilege to work with such talented footballers and help with the development of their game. Not only was I able to implement some of the coaching methods used in Europe but also learned how Africans train.

From speaking to the other volunteers I think it's definitely true that you get back what you put into your project. Even though volunteers are on placement for a relatively short period of time a lot can be achieved by asking what's been done previously, gaining an understanding of what your placement expects and providing another perspective in terms of ideas."
Scott McQuarrie - Sports Volunteer in Ghana,
now Projects Abroad Programme Advisor