Rugby Coaching and Playing Project in St Lucia, Castries

Please note it is possible to come for more than a 2 week trip and most will come between a 4 and 8 week duration.

Rugby in St Lucia
Rugby was brought to St Lucia in the early 1970’s and has had many ups and downs since. Rugby is a global sport, and the Caribbean has yet to make an impact on the world stage. Guyana have had some success in the 7’s circuit though, and we hope St Lucia with soon follow suit.

As a rugby coach you will work with the National St Lucian men and women’s team, as well as coaching the children in our youth groups to build the game up from a grass roots level with the main emphasis being on participation and fun.

Your Rugby Coaching Volunteer Placement
The rugby coaching placement is ideal for anyone looking to pursue a career in sport, teaching or childcare. The placement is suitable for players and coaches of all experience, qualifications and abilities. Specific rugby aims and needs can be catered to; whether you are looking to gain international playing or coaching experience or just want to fulfil a sense of achievement from working with enthusiastic children. You will be working alongside the St Lucian RFU and the St. Lucia Referee Society. This platform will see you working closely with very experienced players, coaches, physiotherapists and match officials.

Your Rugby Coaching Role
You will have the chance to coach at a variety of different levels depending on experience and personal preference. The work with the youth groups places an emphasis on fun and interactive participation, looking to develop skills through games and activities rather than ridged drills. You have the option to be in charge of sessions, or work on specific games and activities depending on your confidence. This is also a great sporting opportunity to ‘talent-spot’ for future national players and our school of excellence.

In addition, you can also work with the National rugby teams, both male and female, to develop and improve their drills and IRB ranking. You will have the opportunity to look at aspects, such as gym routines and offer nutritional advice. You’ll also have the option to run whole sessions or work on specific drills and skill depending on what you believe is appropriate at the time! If the team is competing in a tournament during your trip you will be given the chance to go on tour, culminating in a Caribbean style after party… something not to be missed!

Summer Camps

Summer camps in St. Lucia, organized in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sport and local cricket clubs, take place throughout July and August. These free camps welcome over 300 children aged 5 to 18 from across the island, offering a wide variety of sports, including cricket, football, netball, and rugby. The camps aim to engage children in positive, structured activities during their school holidays, helping to keep them active, build skills, and support families by providing free childcare. Volunteer sports coaches are essential for the success of these camps, particularly in cricket, football, netball, and rugby.

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 and Career Break Rugby in St Lucia
Your gap year in St Lucia gives you the opportunity to coach and play rugby in paradise! You will the chance to meet amazing rugby loving people and enjoy the sights, sounds and serenity of the Caribbean, leading to a truly memorable gap year, career break of volunteer holiday experience.

From the below arrival dates please choose a trip with a range that means you are with us for an even amount of weeks. This helps us manage airport transfers and also helps with the management of the projects. For example, you could come for a 6 or 8 week trip but not a 5 or 7 week trip.

Start Dates 2025
31st Jan – 2 to 30 weeks
14th Feb – 2 to 28 weeks
28th Feb – 2 to 26 weeks
14th Mar – 2 to 24 weeks
28th Mar – 2 to 22 weeks
11th Apr – 2 to 20 weeks
25th Apr – 2 to 18 weeks
9th May – 2 to 16 weeks
23rd May – 2 to 14 weeks
6th Jun – 2 to 12 weeks
20th Jun – 2 to 10 weeks
4th Jul – 4 to 8 weeks
18th Jul – 4 to 6 weeks
1st Aug – 4 weeks
15th Aug – 2 weeks

Start Dates 2026
30th Jan – 2 to 30 weeks
13th Feb – 2 to 28 weeks
27th Feb – 2 to 26 weeks
13th Mar – 2 to 24 weeks
27th Mar – 2 to 22 weeks
10th Apr – 2 to 20 weeks
24th Apr – 2 to 18 weeks
8th May – 2 to 16 weeks
22nd May – 2 to 14 weeks
5th Jun – 2 to 12 weeks
19th Jun – 2 to 10 weeks
3rd Jul – 4 to 8 weeks
17th Jul – 4 to 6 weeks
31st Jul – 4 weeks
14th Aug – 2 weeks

Note 1: Dates are subject to change.

Note 2: It is important that you arrive on published arrival dates to help with operational management and induction. In St Lucia this tends to be a Friday. There maybe an additional fee if you still require airport collection outside our normal times. Approx. GBP £60 each way.

Visa
British Nationals will not require a visa to enter St Lucia for up to 90 days. If you are travelling over 42 days (6 weeks) then you will have to provide travel details on arrival, to clear customs. All the details of the process will be explained once you have booked your trip.

For visits longer than 90 days we will arrange extensions for you.

Equipment Donation for St Lucia
We are dedicated to sustainable development. This is why part of the fee you pay goes towards buying decent equipment for beneficiary organisations in St Lucia. 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.

Social Life in St Lucia
While you are volunteering abroad to make a difference it is still important to enjoy yourself and unwind. St Lucia boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, white sands and blue seas! We will often spend the days on the beach before training, and will organise events such as bbq’s or beach games. There are also a number of bars and clubs off the main beach. Then there is the weekly street party in Gros Islet where the roads are closed, speakers are rolled out and people party under the stars.

Travel and Adventure in St Lucia

With this project you get an excursion to world famous Marigot Bay, home to the set of the Dr Doolitttle film. Included is your return transport and water taxis across the bay. You can relax on a private beach or take a short rainforest walk, or get a drink in some of the best bars and restaurants on the Island.

During your free time, take the opportunity to explore the beauty of St. Lucia. The island boasts breathtaking sights and some of the friendliest people in the Caribbean. The capital, Castries, comes alive when cruise ships dock, with bustling markets offering a variety of goods. For nightlife, Rodney Bay is the go-to spot, featuring bars, clubs, and the island’s main shopping mall.

Don’t miss the iconic Piton Mountains in the south of the island—whether you admire their beauty or climb them for an unforgettable experience. Another highlight is the Sulphur Springs, famously known as the “world’s only drive-in volcano.” Here, you can bathe in warm, mineral-rich waters believed to have rejuvenating properties.

St. Lucia also features lush rainforests that you can explore in exciting ways, such as biking, quad biking, or zip lining. With so much to offer, St. Lucia promises an adventure for every traveller.

Accommodation
A large dorm-style guest house with plenty of space. The house contains seven air-conditioned bedrooms, shared ensuite bathrooms between every two rooms, the large communal area has a flat screen TV with firestick, Netflix, Prime and Disney channels for use in downtime.

The kitchen area is equipped with all required utensils and is suitable for multiple people cooking at once. The majority of in-house social activity takes place either in the communal area, the vast recreational space within the compound and the balcony that looks over it.

View our accommodation album.

Arrival Pick-Up
We will arrange transport from the airport on arrival in St Lucia so long as it falls on the start date. Any arrival times outside this will incur an additional charge.

Accommodation
Accommodation is based in a shared house with dorm-style rooms and all bed linen is provided. The accommodation is a large open plan guest house, only a few minutes walk from the beach, making it the perfect base for a Caribbean adventure! There’s a large kitchen, sitting room and WIFI is available. Each bedroom has a shower and toilet and there are also laundry facilities.

Food
Breakfast is included on a help yourself basis. Lunch and dinner can be prepared in groups or individually as there is a supermarket close by.

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 maybe 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.

Flights; Lunch or dinner, Travel insurance; Visas; Vaccinations; Spending money; In-country personal travel; Soft drinks and alcohol; Extra activities not on itinerary.

You will be provided with further details on where to meet on your arrival.

Preferred Duration
This is a 2 to 12 week trip but we’d prefer you to come for as long as possible to make the most out of the project and the relationships you will build. You can also come for longer and we’ll consider discounts for the commitment shown.

Typical Hours
Weekdays – Sessions will take place after school between 2:00pm – 4:30pm (subject to the school). Saturdays – Sessions will take place in the morning from 10:00am – 12:00pm. You are free to travel and explore the island during the days, or just spend it on one of the great golden sand beaches. There is also a street party in Gros Islet every Friday.

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

Ideal For
Gap year students, sports science degree students, post-graduates, aspiring coaches, career breakers, summer holidays, professional rugby coaches and any rugby players. Individuals and rugby tour groups.

Suitable for ages 18 to 80