The information below has been provided for you by the supported placement organisation running the placement. You can contact the company for more information using the links at the bottom of this page.
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This placement would suit... some one who is passionate about sports and wants to work in a full time coaching placement working with children where you can make a difference. It would also suit people who are keen on training and playing sports.
 Coach and play your choice of sport or more than one sport - it's up to you!
This is a coaching project based in Cape Town, working with township children from underprivileged communities.
The schools we work with are located in a suburb close to the centre of Cape Town. The schools are based at the bottom of Devils Peak, right next to the famous Table Mountain. The name Table Mountain came about because of the tablecloth of clouds that cascade down its slopes. There are stunning views from all the slopes and an outstanding 360 degree vista from the top of the mountain.
This project is quite unique in that you can not only teach one or many different types of sports, but you can also train with and play for the local sports team.
Why not combine your sports project with the upcoming 2010 Football World Cup in Cape Town and get World Cup fever!
You don't need any qualifications to coach on this project and we provide you with coaching manuals to help you make the most of your placement.
Types of Sports available to coach and play in Cape Town:- Athletics (coach)
- Basketball (coach)
- Cricket (coach and play)
- Football/Soccer (coach and play)
- Hockey (coach and play)
- Netball (coach)
- Rugby (coach)
- Swimming (coach)
- Volleyball (coach)
In the main school we work with, there are approximately 600 children, with 20 teachers. There are usually around 28 to 30 children in a class, but sometimes classes will be split into smaller groups when you are coaching. You'll most likely work with children who range in age from 5 to 13. English is not the children's mother tongue, but the general standard is fair to good. 98% of the children at the school come from Cape Towns townships.
The school has fairly good sports facilities with a football field, basketball court, netball court, indoor hall which can be used for sport and cricket nets. The school is also situated close to a outdoor swimming pool where swimming volunteers will be coaching the children. As a Travellers Sports volunteer you will be coaching your sport or a number of sports depending on your choice for around 4 - 5 hours a day. As Physical Education is now part of the curriculum in South Africa, lessons take place during life orientation classes. As many of the teachers do not have any training or knowledge of sports coaching you will be taking all of the sports lessons. As a volunteer you may be coaching on your own, or possibly with other volunteers. You may even have a teacher to help you, if so you can also teach the teacher how to coach a particular sport so that hopefully they can actually confidently take a sports lesson themselves.
 Playing sports
Playing Cricket
As well as coaching cricket you will have the opportunity to train and play for (if you get selected) Silverstar Mowbray Cricket Club. Silverstar Mowbray Cricket Club is 118 years old and they have three senior teams that you will be able to train with. Matches take place on a Saturday. The senior teams are in various leagues of the Western Province Cricket Association the 1st team being in division 1C. Being in the summer hemisphere the season runs from mid October - March, if you wish to play cricket in Cape Town this is the months to come. As well as training with their senior teams you will also be able to coach their junior teams. Silverstar Mowbray have three junior teams an U13s, U15s and U17s.
Playing Football
After school you will be working with a local team Salt River Blackpool. Salt River Blackpool was formed in 1953 and the reason why the team is called Blackpool is because in 1953 FA cup final the founders of the club decided that who ever won the FA cup that year they would name there team after that team, so it was either Bolton Wanderers or Blackpool, Blackpool won and so the team was named Blackpool.
Salt River Blackpool has nine teams in total including junior teams at Under 9s, Under 11s, Under 13s, Under 15s and Under 19s. As a Travellers football coach you will be allocated to coach one of these teams alongside the existing coach from 5- 7 Monday - Friday.
Salt River Blackpool also have four mens teams; a 1st and 2nd team and a over 35s and over 40s team. The 1st men’s team are registered in Division Three of the SAFA (South African Football Association) league. You'll get a chance to train with these teams from 6pm to 8pm, Monday to Friday, and if you get selected, you'll play for the team on the weekend.
Playing Hockey
When on your hockey placement, the Western Province Hockey Union will arrange for you to train with a local team in the evenings at the Heartvale stadium. If you are considered good enough, you might get selected to play for the team on the weekend. These weekend games are lots of fun and fiercely competitive! The experience of playing with the local team will give you a great insight into sports in the local communities in South Africa.
 Accommodation
In a bohemian part of Cape Town, along the east coast of the city near Woodstock, is a set of very lovely lodges. The Lodge Observatory is a series of five houses. Apart from other Travellers volunteers, this hostel mainly attracts many intern students. The Lodge is managed by Nelly and her daughter Charmaine. They are very friendly and will always help you where needed. They can answer any questions or can even help when you need some TLC because you feel a bit homesick!
The Main Lodge is the centre of all the lodges and is a meeting point for everyone. You can discuss your day in the living room, have a nice chat out on the terrace, go for a swim, or watch a movie. There are two four-person dorms, one three-person dorm and one double room. This lodge has a living room, two bathrooms and a well-equipped kitchen. The back of the house has a nice covered terrace, as well as a braai area (South African barbecue) and a swimming pool. In the back of the garden there is a little place called the Garden Lodge. This is basically the chill-out room with several comfortable sofas, satellite television, VCR and hi-fi system. Great for relaxing or for parties.
The Main Lodge also has storage facilities for surfboards etc. and space to store your luggage if you wish to travel around the country and leave your things somewhere safe.
FoodYou will be given a food allowance to buy your own food from the big supermarket up the road. Each house is equipped with a kitchen with a fridge, stove, oven and microwave, and all the necessities to cook a good meal.
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0845 344 7585 |
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