Info

A 3-in-1 experience! Coach underprivileged children at local outreach schools, Train, Play and Gain an ICC level 1 cricket coaching qualification, and receive one-on-one coaching from a former international cricketer!

The cricket course takes place in Pietermaritzburg, capital of the KwaZulu-Natal province which is renowned for developing such international cricket notables as Kevin Pieterson and Jonty Rhodes. This project is diverse in that it covers a number of areas.

► You will gain a level 1 coaching qualification.
► Receive one on one coaching from former Zimbabwean international cricket player Neil Johnson.
► Coach underprivileged children at local outreach schools.
► Join a local club where you will coach the junior teams, train with the seniors and play during the weekend.

This project is a full time intense cricket project which will provide you with the opportunity to become totally emerged in the South African cricket culture. You will work in a number of areas within cricket which will improve your game and give you a greater understanding of the sport, not only as a player, but also as a coach.

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM THIS THIS PLACEMENT:

► An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into Africa and Zulu culture.
► A Level 1 Coaching Qualification and excellent exposure to top players.
► The enormous satisfaction of helping coach underprivileged children on an outreach programme and knowing that you made a difference to them
► New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
► An excellent entry on your CV or Résumé.
► And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

PLACEMENT OVERVIEW:

You can expect the following during your placement. Please note that due to the nature of the game and the impact of weather conditions, a certain amount of flexibility must be expected.

LEVEL 1 CRICKET COACHING COURSE: This is a two-week ICC (International Cricket Council) Level 1, 18 hour course which combines a variety of practical and theoretical aspects of coaching. The coaching course is recognised worldwide and you will be able to use this qualification to continue coaching when you return to your home country.

ONE-ON-ONE CRICKET COACHING: During the project you will receive individual coaching tuition for 1 hour a day from former Zimbabwean international cricket player Neil Johnson who played in the 1999 Cricket World Cup. Neil will assess you as a player when you first arrive and based on his assessment, will be able to work on your cricket playing skills. As part of the program, you will undergo video analysis of your game and strength training to improve your game.

CRICKET COACHING AT UNDERPRIVILEGED SCHOOLS: During the afternoons you will be working with Robbie Coutts, the instructor of the level 1 coaching course and other cricket coaches from the KZN Inland Cricket Program. You'll coach cricket at one of a number of underprivileged schools as part of a program called “Sweet Willow”. The development program involves 23 schools and 10 clubs in the disadvantaged areas of Pietermaritzburg where the children have little exposure to cricket. With the help of local coaches, you can really make a difference.

You'll also work hand in hand with Robbie in coaching at various public and private primary and secondary schools in Pietermaritzburg, which have cricket as an extra curriculum activity.

COACHING, TRAINING AND PLAYING CLUB CRICKET: During the late afternoons and early evenings you'll coach junior teams at a cricket club in Pietermaritzburg, either working alongside a coach or on your own. The club has a large number of junior teams, from under 17s through to younger sides, which are coached on Wednesdays. You'll train with the senior sides of the club on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The club we work with has a number of sides that play at levels from the Premiership through to social, so whatever your standard, you will be allocated to an appropriate team. If you get selected to play for the team, you'll have the opportunity to play club cricket matches over the weekends. The clubs have great cricketing and social facilities and you will be made to feel quite at home.

A TYPICAL DAY:

A typical day will consist of the following (the times are purely a guide)
9 - 12: Level 1 coaching course (for the first 2 weeks only) & one on one cricket coaching
1 - 3: Cricket coaching at underprivileged schools
5 - 8: Cricket coaching, training at a cricket club.

ACCOMMODATION:

You'll live in the city of Pietermaritzburg, near the city centre, in a comfortable hostel in a bohemian part of the city. Apart from other Travellers volunteers, this hostel mainly attracts other volunteers and travelers in the area, giving opportunities for exchanging ideas and socialising with a variety of different types of people. The Backpackers is a great meeting point for everyone. You can discuss your day in the living room, have a nice chat out on the terrace, watch a movie, play on the playstation, go for a swim in the pool or explore the local area.

The backpackers has a living room, bathrooms, a well-equipped kitchen and at the back of the house they have a lovely covered terrace, as well as a braai area (South African barbeque). The accommodation is located near a shopping centre, cinema and ten-pin bowling centre.

FOOD:

You will be provided with breakfast and dinner at the Backpackers, and lunch will be provided on the project. If you'd like to eat out or have a change now and then, there are supermarkets and restaurants close to your accommodation.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO WHILE ON THIS PROJECT:

► 7-Day Safari from Cape Town up the renowned Garden Route: Taking in Dolphin and Whale Spotting, visits to many tourist attractions, such as a visit to a brewery(!), the Bloukrantz Bungy Jump (reportedly the highest in the world), and a guided tour of the Cango Caves.
► Surfing Courses: In the buzz city of Durban.
► Paragliding Course: Soar over the impressively beautiful Drakensburg Mountain. You'll get a licence at the end of the course which qualifies you to do solo paragliding around the world.
► 5-Day Bush Survival Course: This is a fantastic experience and opportunity to see lots of wild animals in their native habitats in Game Reserves. You'll learn a lot and you'll really enjoy learning some bush skills in the great outdoors!

This project can also be combined with any of our other projects in South Africa. That way you’ll get a good knowledge of two or more very different regions of the country.

WHAT TO DO NEXT:

Talk to us - We're there to help you. Call +44 (0) 1903 502595

Most of our team are ex Travellers volunteers and are ideally qualified to offer advice and guidance because they know what you're looking for. They'll help you find your perfect project - and then make it all happen!

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.

It’s as easy as that.

Duration

Available all year round. Our placements are very flexible, you can choose your own start and finish dates.

Start Dates

Flexible start and finish dates you choose. Our placements are flexible and can be tailored to match your preferences. For availability please contact the office.

Costs / Benefits

Costs vary depending on length of placement, but starts at £1045 for two weeks. You can participate for up to one year, subject to visa requirements.
Included is full support from the moment of booking and throughout your placement to your return home. There are support staff 24/7 in all our destinations worldwide and a 24 hour emergency international telephone line direct to the Head Office. All meals are provided, unless otherwise stated. Accommodation is provided (whether a rented house, a hotel/hostel, homestay, apartment or flat).
You’ll be met at the nearest airport on your arrival by our in-country manager who will take you to your accommodation and give you a full induction into the area. He/she will also be on call 24/7 and you’ll see them frequently.
Pre-departure you’ll receive comprehensive information about every aspect of your placement and necessary preparations, ranging from what to pack, to visa information, to what to do on your weekend travel in the country. Your safety, well being and happiness throughout your placement are our primary concerns and we will keep in touch with you throughout. International flights not included.

Requirements

No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities. This placement would suit anyone who wants to make a real difference, wants first-hand experience of a different culture and has initiative.