Alice Clark – Netball Development in Mauritius
I have always wanted to combine my passion for travel with coaching netball, but the summer of 2024 was the first time I was in a position to make it happen. I had never travelled alone before, so committing to a long-haul flight to Mauritius to meet a group of complete strangers was a huge step outside my comfort zone. I had no idea what to expect, but United Through Sport ensured I was as prepared as possible. From the very first phone call to the regular updates via the coaches’ WhatsApp group and the detailed online portal, I felt supported and informed. Speaking to others who had volunteered with different organisations made it clear: the level of care and support offered by United Through Sport is truly exceptional. They value their coaches, and it shows.
United Through Sport (UTS) is leading the introduction of netball in Mauritius, and it was a privilege to be part of the journey and witness the sport’s growth across the country. Although I have many years of experience playing, coaching, and umpiring netball in the UK, UTS truly inspired me and pushed me out my comfort zone through coaching many passionate kids and young people of various ages, many who had never heard of the sport. The language barrier could have also been seen as a hurdle, but the determination and work ethic of these kids made it a lot easier than you would imagine.
Our coaching team was a diverse group covering netball, football, basketball, handball, and swimming. We travelled around the island visiting schools, sports clubs, and holiday programmes to deliver a variety of sessions. Although netball was my primary focus, I also supported my fellow coaches with other sports and quickly discovered how transferable my coaching skills are. I even enjoyed learning the basics of sports I had never played before! Some days were incredibly busy with up to three coaching sessions, but we had plenty of time to explore the island, relax on the beaches, shop at local markets, and go hiking in the countryside.
Since netball is a new sport in Mauritius, my sessions focused on introducing the basics in an engaging way, making them fun so the participants would want to keep learning. One of the standout moments of my trip was when my co-coach and I pitched the benefits of netball as an inclusive sport for girls to the Sports Minister and his team, hoping to gain their support for a major netball launch event. We organised the UTS coaching team and delivered netball sessions to over 80 girls at the event, the court was filled with laughter, movement, and energy from start to finish. It was a moment of pure joy and a proud milestone for netball in Mauritius.
Volunteering allowed me to meet people of all ages and backgrounds, and I felt welcomed into the local community. You don’t get to know a country by just visiting on holiday, and I’ll remember the people of Mauritius as much as the beautiful scenery. I learnt a lot from working with a mixed-discipline coaching team from different nationalities, and I can’t wait to reconnect at the reunion events. We started as strangers, but friendships formed through our adventures both on and off the field. The experience developed my independence and resilience, preparing me for starting university.
“"I would highly recommend United Through Sport for the care they put into making sure everyone gains as much as possible from the experience. Coaches feel valued, have opportunities to develop new skills, and the in-country organisations feel part of the United Through Sport family."”
Related trips...
Mauritius