Alice Clark – Netball Coaching and 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 flying long-haul to Mauritius to meet a group of new people was a real challenge. However, the initial phone calls, subsequent contact via the coaches’ WhatsApp group, and the detailed information shared through the portal ensured I felt well-prepared. From talking to others who have volunteered with different organisations, it’s clear that the way United Through Sport supports and values its coaches really sets them apart.
United Through Sport 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, teaching netball to young people of various ages, many of whom had never heard of the game and spoke a different first language, truly pushed me out of my comfort zone.
I was part of a coaching team covering basketball, football, handball, netball, and swimming, and we visited different schools, clubs, and holiday programmes to deliver coaching sessions. Alongside planning and delivering netball sessions, I supported the other coaches and quickly realised how transferable my coaching skills are. I also enjoyed learning about different sports. Some days were packed with up to three coaching sessions, but we had plenty of days off to visit beaches, markets, and the countryside.
Since netball is a new sport in Mauritius, my sessions focused on introducing the basics and making them fun so the participants would want to keep learning. With my co-coach, 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, who filled the morning with laughter and energy.
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."
