Hockey Coaching Volunteer Project in South Africa, Port Elizabeth

Hockey in South Africa
The passion for hockey is strong in many parts of South Africa and the national team has displayed impressive performances at the international and Olympic level. Unfortunately, hockey has not received the same investment and attention as other South African sports such as rugby, cricket and football. Therefore, the opportunities to develop the younger hockey generations are often lacking, and none more so than in the townships of Port Elizabeth. Perhaps one of the main reasons for this is the difficulty and costs required to provide equipment for hockey teams of eleven players. However, through our volunteer hockey projects, more young players can now play and develop in the sport they love. In time, the hope is that a new generation of South African hockey talent will emerge from the townships, ready to assert themselves on the world stage.

Your Hockey Volunteer Placement
We welcome hockey volunteers who enjoy playing or coaching hockey, be it socially with friends, representing your school, club or university hockey team, or even as far as holding hockey coaching qualifications. The emphasis is not on developing Africa’s next international hockey players, but about getting alongside children from poorer backgrounds and building friendships over a common ground and your passion to play hockey. It is from here that you will start to give enthusiastic hockey players the chance to play the sport they love in an organised and fun hockey environment. Whatever your background, be assured that you will be able to offer something positive to the children and hockey projects you work on.

During the hockey coaching project, you will be largely centred in the townships and schools that skirt the city. The first stage as a hockey coach is to help organise and run hockey training clinics for the children, as well as providing them with decent hockey equipment. This is a great way to build relationships with your hockey players and also for developing your own confidence as a volunteer hockey coach. The second stage will be planning hockey tournaments that incorporate both hockey matches and team-building activities. Although the focus is on personal skills and sports development, you will instinctively keep a look out for talented hockey players who, with the right support and hockey training, could go onto play professional hockey. The sports academies we work with are keen to identify the young athletes who will form South Africa ‘s next generation of pro hockey players.

Your Hockey Coaching Role
Being a volunteer hockey coach in South Africa means you are responsible for running and supervising all hockey training and hockey matches for your hockey players. This may sound daunting but you will soon realise that you possess an understanding of hockey that your players are desperate to have. The rewards are great because the natural hockey ability is often there, but the understanding of the basics and the experience of playing in a team structure are often not. By introducing passing and tackling techniques as well as position holding, movement and team play, your young hockey players will develop rapidly. You will also have lots of support from the other volunteer sports coaches and our in-country staff who will give you all the hockey training methods and ideas you need. From technical short corner plays to early morning beach runs, you will soon develop your own hockey coaching programme, unique to you and your enthusiastic young players.

Summer Camps
Summer camps in South Africa run for 5 weeks from mid July to mid August. These camps are run by our charity partners in Port Elizabeth and focus on a range of objectives: to teach kids sports, to develop interpersonal skills, to educate the community about HIV and healthy living. Volunteer sports coaches are required for all sports.

Criminal Records Check
We require you to complete a criminal records check in order to take part in this experience. We can accept those that have been done in the last two years if you have the certificate. In the UK it can be done through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), in the USA further details can be found on Travel.State.Gov, otherwise please search for your local service provider. We may also request a reference from a reliable source. You must supply these to us before departure and also take a copy with you to present to the in-country team.

Why do we require a criminal background check?
1) Ensuring a safe environment is conducive to learning, productivity and overall positive experiences for everyone involved.

2) We implement thorough screening processes and we are committed to safety and integrity, fostering trust among participants and the local community.

3) Conducting background checks serves as a preventive measure, deterring individuals with questionable backgrounds from attempting to participate in our programme.

4) Safeguards vulnerable people from potential harm within the programme.

Gap Year, Student Placements and Career Break Hockey Options in South Africa
Combining a gap year in South Africa with a hockey coaching project is the ideal gap year experience for anyone who wants to play or coach hockey abroad while giving something back. A sports gap year in South Africa means you will be surrounded by likeminded volunteer hockey coaches who are keen to play gap year hockey overseas and enjoy exciting gap year travel together.

2025
11th Jan – 4 to 12 weeks
08th Feb – 4 to 8 weeks
08th Mar – 4 weeks
12th Apr – 4 to 12 weeks
10th May – 4 to 8 weeks
07th Jun – 4 weeks
26th Jul – 4 weeks
30th Aug – 4 to 12 weeks
27th Sep – 4 to 8 weeks
25th Oct – 4 weeks

2026
10th Jan – 4 to 12 weeks
07th Feb – 4 to 8 weeks
07th Mar – 4 weeks
11th Apr – 4 to 12 weeks
09th May – 4 to 8 weeks
06th Jun – 4 weeks
18th Jul – 4 weeks
22nd Aug – 4 to 12 weeks
19th Sep – 4 to 8 weeks
17th Oct – 4 weeks

Note 1: 4 weeks = 28 nights, 5 weeks = 35 nights, 6 weeks = 42 nights, 7 weeks = 49 nights, 8 weeks = 56 nights, 9 weeks = 63 nights, 10 weeks = 70 nights, 11 weeks = 77 nights, 12 weeks = 84 nights

Note 2: dates are based on school holidays and are subject to change.

Note 3: All programmes run from Saturday to Saturday.

Note 4: These participant dates are based on the current published school terms in South Africa. However, based on future developments they may change at short notice. We will update you as soon as any changes take place.

Road Trip to Cape Town – GBP £430
We also run a 7 night road trip from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town, which may reduce your community activity by one week, so check the session you are booking. On the final day, you can either part ways from Cape Town or head back on our minibus arriving in Port Elizabeth approx. 15:00. You can stay at our accommodation that night if required.

Road Trip Dates 2025
28th Mar – 04th Apr
27th Jun – 04th Jul
22nd – 29th Aug
14th – 21st Nov

Road Trip Dates 2026
28th Mar – 03rd Apr
26th Jun – 03rd Jul
14th – 21st Aug
6th – 13th Nov

Visa
British Nationals only require a visa to enter South Africa if they intend on staying over 90 days but this can be extended once in-country. We recommend you research this yourself depending on what Nationality you are.

Equipment Donation for South Africa
We are dedicated to sustainable development. This is why part of the fee you pay goes towards buying decent equipment for beneficiary organisations in South Africa. You will often use this equipment during your project and it is always left with the community when you leave. In some cases, an equipment donation may not be appropriate so a financial contribution is made instead.

Sports Camps
The majority of your volunteer project will coincide with the school term but during school holidays you will be able to coach at sports camps in or around the Port Elizabeth area. There is a big need for volunteer coaches at these camps and they are a fantastic way of coaching sports to children who do not usually have access to sports during term time. The camps expose sport to a large number of African children and are something the young athletes have come to depend on and really enjoy. The camps also allow you to see other parts of South Africa that you would not otherwise experience.

Other Volunteer Projects
In addition to your main sports coaching project, you can get involved with some non-sports volunteer projects if you wish. Projects range from care work with orphans to teaching in local schools. And with a western education, you will be able to make a significant contribution to the standard of teaching that the young students receive. Subject areas include English, maths, science, business, IT, and a whole variety of extra-curricular activities. Many volunteers find this element of their volunteer trip one of the most rewarding.

Social Life in South Africa
We believe it is important to give our volunteers the chance to unwind and have fun while they are away. Our in-country team therefore organises a variety of social activities to bring volunteers together, to share their experiences and, above all, have a good time. The social life in South Africa really is second to none and you will return home with some truly unforgettable memories and friends for life. With so many sporty people living together, social sports teams are pretty much unavoidable and there are plenty of local teams to play for. For the less competitive, why not head to the beach for some casual volleyball and football matches in the African sunshine? You’ll also get to experience plenty of Bomas during your stay (authentic South African barbeques under the stars). Sport, friendship and lots of laughs – what more could you want from a social life abroad?

Playing Sport in South Africa
If you fancy playing some sport while you are away, or simply enjoy the social side as a supporter, you should join our sports team, Stroh. A number of matches are played across a variety of sports including football, rugby, cricket and more. This will give you the chance to play against local teams in a fun and competitive environment. Although the matches are often taken quite seriously – it is sport after all! – the side places a strong emphasis on the social side of sport. This gives you a great experience of playing sport overseas while building cross-cultural friendships and enjoying Stroh’s fiery post-match celebrations! If you want to know what Stroh means, I guess you’ll have to book a volunteer project in South Africa!

Accommodation
Your accommodation is basic but comfortable and you will stay in a dormitory style room. The accommodation has a very sociable atmosphere and you will find it a great place to relax and unwind in the evenings. The accommodation is also centrally located to your volunteer project with shops and other useful amenities either a short walk or taxi ride away. With so many volunteers living together, you will soon find our communal house your new home, away from home.

Accommodation
A lodge with shared rooms (4-10 people per room); Basic but comfortable; Shared toilet and shower facilities; Communal areas for socialising and relaxation including pool, TV and games room and bar; Single and double rooms may also be available if requested and booked pre-departure.

View our accommodation photo album.

Food
3 meals a day Mon to Fri and 2 meals (breakfast and lunch) a day at weekends.

Arrival Pick-Up & Transfers
Included on arrival and departure date. Early arrival will be subject to an additional charge.

Training
Full project induction and local orientation given on arrival.

Support
Pre-departure help and advice; Local in-country team; 24 hour emergency support.

Donation
Part of your fee may be used to buy decent equipment for the project and community you work with. We also encourage you to bring any extra equipment that you are happy to give away but this will need to fall within your personal weight allowance with the airline you travel with. It’s important you discuss the distribution of these items with our in-country team.

Flights; Travel Insurance; Visas; Vaccinations; Spending money; In country travel; Laundry service; Extra activities not on itinerary.

Preferred Duration
Volunteers should try to come for as long as possible preferably for 8 or 12 weeks. This ensures better management of the project and also helps you get the most from the social activities and group travel opportunities on offer.

Typical Hours
Monday-Friday; 4-6 hours a day; Occasional work at weekends but usually free for personal time and travel. Please be aware that some public holidays may cause disruption to times / days during your volunteer project.

Pre-requisites
No prior coaching experience or qualifications are required, but a basic understanding of the game and/or playing experience is necessary. You need to be of reasonable health and fitness.

Ideal For
Hockey Coaching Holidays and Placements in Africa; Sports Coaching and Activity Breaks in South Africa; Hockey Coaching Gap Years and Career Breaks in Africa; and Student Summer Holidays.

Suitable for ages 18 to 80

Most participants are between 18 and 25, so please be aware of this. We do welcome older people because of the value and experience they bring to the community. We have even had people in their late 70s join us so don't be put off!