Football Coaching Volunteer Project in South Africa, Port Elizabeth
Share your passion for football by coaching football to disadvantaged South African children. Help organise football matches and coaching sessions for keen football players in schools and townships, giving them the chance to play and enjoy the sport they love so much.
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Football in South Africa
Having been awarded host of the 2010 World Cup (the first African nation to do so), the love for football in South Africa could not be greater, and nowhere more so than in the coastal city of Port Elizabeth (PE). The townships surrounding PE are full of keen and often talented young football players but the opportunities to play football and develop in a well structured environment are very limited. However, by working as a volunteer football coach in South Africa during your sports gap year or career break, you can give children the chance to enjoy the fun and serious sides of football through organised training and football matches.
Your Football Volunteer Placement
The football players you work with are largely centred in the townships and schools that skirt the city. The first stage as a volunteer football coach is to help organise training clinics and football matches for the children, as well as providing them with decent football equipment. This is great for forming relationships with the football players and developing your own confidence. The second stage will be planning football tournaments that incorporate football matches and team-building activities. Although the focus is on personal skills and sports development, there will be ample opportunity to scout for talented individuals who, with the right support and training, could go on to play professional football. The sports academies we work with are keen to identify the individuals who will form South Africa’s next generation of professional footballers.
We welcome volunteers who enjoy playing or coaching football, be it socially with friends, representing your school, club or university team or even as far as holding coaching qualifications. The emphasis is not on developing Africa’s next international football star but about getting alongside children from less advantaged backgrounds and building friendships over a common ground. It is from here that you will start to give enthusiastic football players the chance to play the sport they love in an organised and fun environment. Whatever your background, be assured that you will be able to offer something positive to the children and football projects you work on.
Your Football Coaching Role
Being a volunteer football coach in South Africa will mean you are responsible for running and supervising all training and football matches for the players. This may sound daunting but you will soon realise that you have an understanding of football that the players are so desperate to gain. The rewards are great because the raw talent is often there, but the experience of a team structure is not. By introducing the basics of team play, movement and position holding, your players will develop rapidly. You will also have plenty of support from the other volunteers on the project, our in-country staff and local sports coaches who will give you all the training ideas that you need. From complicated technical plays to friendly kick-abouts, you will soon develop your own football coaching programme, unique to you and your 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 Football Options in South Africa
A gap year in South Africa is a fantastic way to volunteer abroad while also coaching football and experiencing gap year travel. Our football project in South Africa really is a great gap year opportunity if you are looking for a sports gap year abroad.
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
Football Coaching Holidays and Placements in Africa; Sports Coaching and Activity Breaks in South Africa; Sports 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!
Generally the football season in South Africa runs from April to September (over the South African winter). Opportunities to play 11 a side football outside of this window are limited. However 5 a side football continues throughout the whole year.
If you join a club practices will normally be twice a week, usually in the evening. Matches will normally be every weekend and sometimes twice in a weekend, depending on what level you play at and what format of the game (note you will need to organise your own transport to get to practice and matches) – normally around GBP £5 in an Uber. 5 a side football socials are organised once per week for all travellers to participate in
The football club has a number of teams ranging from the top local league down to social league level so there is generally a standard that will suit any level of footballer. The club will fit you into the appropriate level team based on your training performances and your availability to play.
We can arrange for one-on-one coaching conducted by local professional and former professional players and coaches. This comes at an extra cost – normally around GBP £30 per session and can be arranged once you are in-country after assessing requirements.
We have a small gym at the accommodation which is free to use 24/7. Otherwise if you require something more sophisticated there are local gyms within a 3km radius that you can sign up to at an extra cost (once in country). We can also organise extra strength, fitness and conditioning sessions at an extra cost – normally around GBP £30 per session and can be arranged once you are in-country after assessing requirements.
If you want to join for a full club season then you would need to stay for 6 months which will allow you to play a full league season. We generally prefer travellers to be staying for a minimum of 8 weeks before introducing them to a club as it becomes detrimental to club and team structures when there is a high number of players coming and going in a short period of time. To get the most out of playing at club level in South Africa we recommend staying for 3 to 6 months.
Arrivals – Saturday
You are welcome to arrive in South Africa early but must stay in off-site accommodation at your own cost until at least Friday (preferably Saturday) and facilitate your own transport from the airport to your own accommodation. You will then be collected from your accommodation and brought to us to begin your placement with us. Arrivals on Friday will incur a charge for the additional night.
Departures – Saturday
The official departure day is Saturday. Those departing on this day will receive transport to the airport. Those departing outside this period must arrange their own transportation (e.g. Uber). We may extend the official departure to include Sundays in exceptional cases, with an additional cost for the extra night.
We suggest you budget between £80 to £100 per week to covering going out socialising or doing few excursions that are not part of what we include.
The nearest ATM is just a 2 minute walk from the accommodation you will be based at.
It is recommended that you bring a small amount of cash, and carry the majority of your spending money on a cash card. The Post Office provides a card that avoids any charges for withdrawing cash and also Revolut and Monzo accounts could be useful and are app controlled. We can also store money and other items in our safe in the office, also located at the accommodation.
We would prefer it if you could use our social media platforms to try and communicate with others that maybe coming away at the same time as you. We are a small team and are very busy preparing and organising the trips. Also, given that we ask you to all arrive on the same weekend, you’ll quickly get to know each other as you settle in.
Participants work at 2 or 3 schools each day Monday to Friday. Each session lasts 90 minutes. This is weather permitting, but everything is done to ensure as much activity as possible takes place. Expect to be out working for approximately 6 hours per day.
The majority of children coached are aged between 10-13 years old. However, in smaller schools, it is common for either slightly older or younger children to take part as well to boost the number of children participating. All schools worked in are in the disadvantaged township communities.
Placement activities not begin straight away. We provide a 2 day long induction where you learn about the program, as well as receive useful techniques. In addition to this, the induction is a great place to meet with and learn from your fellow travellers.
You are free to do what you wish in the evenings after the activities and at the weekends. Some participants like to play social football or other sports as we are very connected to local clubs in the area or go to the gym which is a 20 minute walk from the accommodation. Additionally a lot of your time will be taken up by excursions and other organised events as we feel it is important to show you some of the great spots around the area. We also recognise that you will need some down time, so you will still have plenty of time to relax, unwind and explore the local area.
We do not require any qualifications or previous experience. However, if you are on a sports projects it is recommended that you have had some playing experience at any level in the sport you wish to coach and do try and come away with a few training drills you can share. Although of course the more proficient you are in your respective sports, the more it will aid you when working with the children. The most important thing is enthusiasm to work with kids.
"I never imagined that our presence in the townships could have such a huge impact on the kids and be so greatly appreciated. It's an experience I'll never forget."
Matt Harland
"The passion shown by all the players was amazing and it was such a great thing to be part of. The skill and talent some of them had was phenomenal and it was of a much higher standard than I had ever seen before."
Tom Baines
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