Gap Year Sports Volunteering Programs

Is this the right type of program for me?

If you love playing sports such as football, rugby, tennis, basketball and cricket, and want to make a difference to underprivileged children, then this is the right project for you!

This is a chance to coach local children in sports by organising games using proper equipment, so they can learn new skills and training techniques and perhaps help them toward a better future by securing a place on a local sports team.

Some sports programs allow you to coach more than one particular sport, although most are specific, e.g. football.

This project will look great on your CV to employers if you wish to pursue a sports-related career, or want to work with children, but also if you just enjoy playing sports!

What will I do during my program?

This depends to a certain extent on exactly which sports project you choose to volunteer for and where it is.

However, most projects will require you to aid with several or more of the following:

  • Teaching basic Maths, English and IT skills
  • Sports coaching lessons, e.g. refereeing games, giving advice on tactics
  • Running after school sports clubs
  • Training more committed and talented players to join a local sports club
  • Assisting local coaches with skill development, training and game preparation

There may be other duties involved that vary between different projects, so check the details on each individual project webpage or contact the gap year company for more specific details of what you’ll be up to.

How long can I volunteer for?

For most projects, you can volunteer for as little as 2 weeks, or up to 12 weeks.

Some placements allow you to stay for longer than 12 weeks on an additional cost-per-week basis, usually between £150 and £300.

The length of time you spend volunteering may be determined by your budget, or if you have other gap year plans you wish to fit around it, such as retaking A levels or travelling.

Either way, it’s entirely your decision.

How much does it cost?

This depends on how long you wish to volunteer for, where you go and which gap year agency you choose your project with.

You can expect to pay anything between £500 and £1000 for a 2 week period and up to £2,700 for a 12 week stay.

It’s a good idea to look at different companies that offer the same or similar project you would like to do, and compare prices in case one happens to fall within your budget.

However, whichever one you decide on, it is important to check what the cost includes.

Beware that fees for most projects will not include flights, visas, travel insurance, food and any extra activities or excursions during the program.

So work out how much more money this will be on top of the project fee before booking a placement, because if it turns out to be more than you’ve budgeted, then you could lose your deposit if you have to pull out.

Check out our gap year guide for more help on deciding which gap year agency to use.

Where can I volunteer?

Due to the large number of gap year companies now in operation, there are opportunities for taking part in sports projects all over the world.

From teaching netball in Africa to football in Brazil, there’s something to suit all gap year sport enthusiasts!

Organisations you can book a sports gap year program with include:

Further information

For more tips and advice on volunteering during your gap year, please see: