Basketball Coaching Project in South Africa, Port Elizabeth

Please note that you will spend approx 50% of your time with this sport as we would also need you to be involved with our wider sports coaching programme in the community.

Basketball in South Africa
Basketball has not seen the same investment in time and money as the other national sports of South Africa such as rugby, cricket or football. However, Basketball South Africa (BSA), the governing body for the sport, is keen to support grassroots initiatives in order to promote basketball to a wider audience and give people, particularly children, the chance to play and develop their basketball skills. And with such a large pool of dedicated and often talented young players in many of the major cities, now is a perfect time for you to get involved with the grassroots development of the sport during your gap year or career break abroad.

Your Basketball Volunteer Placement
The main focus of the basketball project is to create structured basketball training and playing environments for keen players in and around the townships of Port Elizabeth. These basketball players are predominately aged between 8 and 16 years of age. Because basketball has not seen the same focus and attention as other sports in South Africa, most of your time as a volunteer coach will be spent supporting informal street leagues and township basketball teams. Although this may require an extra level of commitment and initiative on your part, plus a willingness to ‘laugh off’ unexpected problems, you will have a direct impact on basketball in South Africa. As a volunteer sports coach, you will also have a very positive effect on the lives of the basketball players you are coaching, providing guidance and support in their everyday lives. The personal reward you will gain from this aspect of your basketball project is indescribable.

Your Basketball Coaching Role
Your goal as a volunteer basketball coach is not to find Africa’s next international player – although you never know! You therefore do not need to be a qualified or vastly experienced basketball coach. So long as you have a basic understanding of the game and the ability to organise group basketball games and training, you will be able to offer a lot to this basketball project and the enthusiastic basketball players you work with.

Working with our in-country staff, you will start by organising basketball training clinics and basketball matches for players already taking part in informal street leagues. This will involve introducing and refining the fundamentals of basketball, from dribbling and passing, to position holding, set plays and shooting. These regular basketball training sessions provide a solid platform to build friendships and earn trust with your players. You will then be invited to organise some formal basketball tournaments for the players and help maintain a regular basketball league structure within the townships. There may also be some opportunity to take your basketball coaching skills to the schools in and around Port Elizabeth, providing basketball workshops and basketball coaching for the students.

We would also like you to be able to take part in other sports coaching sessions as well in order to make the most of your trip and to support the work of our in country team. This could also see you running fun sports sessions in football, cricket, hockey, rugby and other sports in order to fit into the school PE timetable.

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 Basketball Options in South Africa
Coaching basketball in your gap year is the best way to combine a sports gap year with a volunteer gap year. A basketball gap year in South Africa will offer you adventurous gap year travel, exciting basketball opportunities and a truly unforgettable gap year experience.

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

2027
09th Jan – 4 to 12 weeks
06th Feb – 4 to 8 weeks
06th Mar – 4 weeks
10th Apr – 4 to 12 weeks
08th May – 4 to 8 weeks
5th Jun – 4 weeks
17th Jul – 4 weeks
21st Aug – 4 to 12 weeks
18th Sep – 4 to 8 weeks
16th 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 – Add-On
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.

Check the dates against the Add-On which can be added to an order when making the booking.

Visa
Most visitors 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.

Ideal For
Sports Gap Years; Career Breaks; Gap Breaks; Gap Years and Volunteer Travel; Basketball Coaching in South Africa; Sports Volunteering in Africa.

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!