Oscar – Rugby Coaching in South Africa
After finishing school, Oscar decided to take a break from the usual path and spend a few months volunteering in South Africa with United Through Sport. What started as a gap year adventure quickly became one of the most rewarding experiences of his life so far.
Transforming Lives Through Sport
As a keen rugby player back home, Oscar spent much of his placement coaching rugby with local children, helping them build their skills, confidence, and love for the game. Alongside this, he also volunteered with the Learn to Swim Programme, supporting children in the pool as they developed essential water safety skills.
“Seeing the progress the kids made during my time there was really rewarding.”
Becoming Part of the Local Community
One of the standout moments of Oscar’s placement was becoming involved with the local rugby community. He trained regularly with a local team and even had the opportunity to play in a competitive match in Jeffreys Bay.
“It was an amazing experience and something I’ll never forget.”
Exploring South Africa
Volunteering was only part of the adventure. During his stay, Oscar made the most of everything South Africa has to offer, creating memories that will stay with him forever.
Highlights included:
- Going on safari and seeing wildlife up close.
- Surfing in the famous waves of Jeffreys Bay.
- Joining the Garden Route trip to Cape Town.
- Playing rugby with local clubs and communities.
Unforgettable Friendships
For Oscar, the people he met were just as important as the experiences themselves. Living and volunteering alongside like-minded travellers from around the world led to friendships that continued long after the programme ended.
“I’ve made friends for life during my time in South Africa, and after the programme finished, I even ended up travelling around Vietnam with one of the boys I met while volunteering.”
Oscar’s Advice
“If you’re thinking about volunteering in South Africa, I’d definitely recommend it. It’s a great opportunity to develop your coaching skills, experience a different culture, meet people from all over the world. It’s made me realise that there’s so much more out there than what you’re used to back in the UK.”