Saints Volunteer, Livingstone

Background

Students will spend 4-6 weeks in Zambia supporting the work of Sport in Action by helping to deliver coach education and development workshops to community recreational sports coaches and volunteers.

• Recruitment

  Recruitment and selection takes place in early summer – October and involves a written application, interview, and practical coaching session demonstration.

  Students must be a proficient coach or an experienced player in Netball, Basketball or Football, or have a background in coach development or experience with a variety of community based sports/classes.

• Training and qualifications

  All volunteer coaches are required to have achieved at least the following level of qualifications in order to take part in the project:

  • UKCC Level 1/SFA qualification
  • Emergency First Aid Certificate
  • Child Wellbeing and Protection in Sport Certificate
  • Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG)

  Please note, your application will still be considered if you do not already hold the above qualifications. Saints Sport will provide support to successful applicants to achieve the above.

  Volunteering

  Successful applicants will be given the opportunity to volunteer within the Junior Saints programme, as part of our Sports Camps coaching team or in a junior club or school club setting prior to their trip to Zambia. You will be supported through a range of development courses, including coach education and development.

  This will provide invaluable experience of working with young people and children. You will also have the chance to work alongside coaches to provide feedback, knowledge and best practice. This will help develop many useful skills, for example, leadership, organising, confidence and communication.

• What to expect

  Work alongside the largest Sports NGO in Zambia to support the coordination of sports development sessions in placements across Livingstone, Zambia, and experience the positive impact that Sport in Action are making in the community.

  What will the project involve?

  • 4-6 weeks in Africa
  • Sports development
  • Sports coaching and coach mentoring
  • Delivering workshops
  • Fundraising campaigns
  • Teamwork
  • Developing leadership skills
  • Forming new friendships

• Cost/fundraising

  Successful applicants are tasked with fundraising £2500 throughout the year prior to travelling.

  Support is provided by the programme lead, travelling staff member and previous years students. Students are expected to attend group fundraising events but also fundraise as an individual.

  Money raised covers the cost of accommodation, flights, in-country induction training, airport transfers, vaccinations, visas etc.

Sport in Action/ Girls in Action

Sport in Action (SIA) is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) whose purpose is to improve people’s quality of life through sport and recreational activities. Founded in 1998, Sport in Action was the first Zambian sports NGO and its programmes now positively impact the lives of thousands of children throughout the 12 districts in Zambia.

SiA coordinates a Girls in Action programme that uses sport and recreation activities as a tool to empower and educate young girls. Whilst in Livingstone, Saints Sport volunteers will shadow these sessions and support Zambian leaders where required. Please note, the Zambia leaders will always deliver this programme and students are not to lead on any aspects.

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