Basketball Coaching Volunteer Project in St Lucia, Castries

Please note it is possible to come for more than a 2 week trip and most will come between a 4 and 8 week duration.

Basketball in St. Lucia
Basketball is a popular sport among young St. Lucian’s and the NBA is followed across the island however as a domestic sport it is a recipient less funding and lacks structure compared to the other popular sports on the island. Basketball clubs and leagues exist on the island but there is very little focus on youth development and few youth teams. Female participation in the game is low, with a lot of school provisions going toward netball there is a lot less opportunities for young girls to play basketball. The focus of this placement is to give more children that more opportunities to play the sport who would not get the chance otherwise.

Your Basketball Volunteer Placement
The majority of coaching sessions will take place as in-school and after-school sessions in primary and secondary school within poor communities in St. Lucia. Sessions will be inclusive, trying to get as many children participating in basketball as possible with an emphasis on fun.

Our partner charity on the island runs a female empowerment project in St. Lucia, to support this as part of your placement you will coach their girls basketball team developing their skills and confidence at the same time. We are also linked to local clubs where by you will get the chance to do some more competitive coaching at a higher level, a chance to impart some tactical knowledge and coach a team towards a league championship!

Your Basketball Coaching Role
When coaching within local teams, it is up to you as to how much responsibility wish to take on in the sessions. Volunteers will typically be placed within young teams where you will be able to get alongside your players and simply give them the chance to play as a team. By introducing the fundamentals, that you probably take for granted, you will soon see the them improve their game. We want volunteers to get involved with their teams and their placement as much as possible. You will have guidance and support from the in-country team, as well as local coaches, who will encourage you to take part in training sessions and matches. You will then be able to introduce more of your own ideas and organise your own coaching programmes and possibly even tournaments for your team. However, volunteers should remember that there isn’t a high expectation to produce world class players! We just want you to make the game fun and enjoyable, whilst giving the players the sense of belonging that all teams value.

Sports Summer Camps in St. Lucia
Our summer camps in St. Lucia run for 6 weeks from mid July to mid August. These camps are run by our charity partners and focus on: teaching basic skills of the sports, developing interpersonal skills, encourage healthy lifestyle, to combat prevalent social issues in the community like drugs and gang culture. Volunteer sports coaches are required to assist with all sports.

CRB/DBS (Criminal Records Bureau) Check
It is advised that participants complete a CRB/DBS (Criminal Records Bureau) check in order to take part in this project. We can provide this service for you at an additional cost because some people may already have one that is valid (please get in touch for more details).

Gap Year or Career Break Basketball Project in St. Lucia
Coaching basketball in your gap year is the best way to combine a sports gap year with a volunteer gap year. A basketball gap year in St. Lucia will offer you adventurous gap year travel, exciting basketball opportunities and a truly unforgettable gap year experience.

From the below arrival dates please choose a trip with a range that means you are with us for an even amount of weeks. This helps us manage airport transfers and also helps with the management of the projects. For example, you could come for a 6 or 8 week trip but not a 5 or 7 week trip.

Start Dates 2024
2nd Feb – 2 to 30 weeks
16th Feb – 2 to 28 weeks
1st Mar – 2 to 26 weeks
15th Mar – 2 to 24 weeks
29th Mar – 2 to 22 weeks
12th Apr – 2 to 20 weeks
26th Apr – 2 to 18 weeks
10th May – 2 to 16 weeks
24th May – 2 to 14 weeks
7th Jun – 2 to 12 weeks
21st Jun – 2 to 10 weeks
5th Jul – 4 to 8 weeks
19th Jul – 4 to 6 weeks
2nd Aug – 4 weeks
16th Aug – 2 weeks

Note 1: Dates are subject to change.

Note 2: It is important that you arrive on published arrival dates to help with operational management and induction. In St Lucia this tends to be a Friday. There maybe an additional fee if you still require airport collection outside our normal times. Approx. GBP £60 each way for up to 4 passengers.

Visa
British Nationals will not require a visa to enter St Lucia for up to 90 days. If you are travelling over 42 days (6 weeks) then you will have to provide travel details on arrival, to clear customs. All the details of the process will be explained once you have booked your trip.

For visits longer than 90 days we will arrange extensions for you.

Equipment Donation for St Lucia
We are dedicated to sustainable development. This is why part of the fee you pay goes towards buying decent equipment for beneficiary organisations in St Lucia. You will often use this equipment during your project and it is always left with the community when you leave. In some cases, an equipment donation may not be appropriate so a financial contribution is made instead.

Social Life in St Lucia
While you are abroad to make a difference it is still important to enjoy yourself and unwind. St Lucia boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, white sands and blue seas! We will often spend the days on the beach before training, and will organise events such as bbq’s or beach games. There are also a number of bars and clubs off the main beach. Then there is the weekly street party in Gros Islet where the roads are closed, speakers are rolled out and people party under the stars.

Travel and Adventure in St Lucia
With this project you get an excursion to world famous Marigot Bay, home to the set of the Dr Doolitttle film. Included is your return transport and water taxis across the bay. You can relax on a private beach or take a short rainforest walk, or get a drink in some of the best bars and restaurants on the Island.

You will be encouraged to explore St Lucia during your free time so you can sample some of its breath-taking sights and meet some of the Caribbean’s friendliest people. The capital, Castries, is home to numerous markets selling a wonder of goods and comes alive when the cruise ships dock. For bars and clubs we recommend Rodney Bay, the home of the vast majority of the hotels. This is also home to the main shopping mall. There are also the famous Piton Mountains which are located in the south of the island and are well worth a visit. You can also climb them if you are feeling ambitious. There is also the Sulphur Springs the ‘World’s only drive in volcano’! The springs are formed from water running through a volcano, which heats the water while the sulphur turns the water black. You can bathe in the water, which is reputed to make you live forever. St Lucia is home to many rainforests which can be explored in a number of ways such as on bikes, quad bikes and zip lining!

Accommodation
Accommodation is based in a shared house with dorm-style rooms and all bed linen is provided. The accommodation is a large open plan guest house, only a few minutes walk from the beach, making it the perfect base for a Caribbean adventure! There’s a large kitchen, sitting room and WIFI is available. Each bedroom has a shower and toilet and there are also laundry facilities.

Food
Breakfast is included on a help yourself basis. Lunch and dinner can be prepared in groups or individually as there is a supermarket close by.

Airport Pick-Up
We will arrange transport from the airport on arrival in St Lucia so long as it falls on the start date. Any arrival times outside this will incur an additional charge.

Training
Full project induction and local orientation given on arrival.

Support
Pre-departure help and advice; Local in-country team; 24 hour emergency support.

Donation
Part of your fee maybe used to buy decent equipment for the project and community you work with. We also encourage you to bring any extra equipment that you are happy to give away but this will need to fall within your personal weight allowance with the airline you travel with.

Flights; Lunch or dinner, Travel insurance; Visas; Vaccinations; Spending money; In-country personal travel; Soft drinks and alcohol; Extra activities not on itinerary.

You will be met on arrival. Full details will be provided once you have booked your trip with us.

Preferred Duration
This is a 2 to 12 week trip but we’d prefer you to come for as long as possible to make the most out of the project and the relationships you will build. You can also come for longer and we’ll consider discounts for the commitment shown.

Typical Hours
This will vary depending on weekly fixtures and sports events but as a guide use the following; Weekdays – Sessions will take place after school between 2:00pm – 4:30pm (subject to the school). Saturdays – Sessions will take place in the morning from 10:00am – 12:00pm. You are free to travel and explore the island during the days, or just spend it on one of the great golden sand beaches. There is also a street party in Gros Islet every Friday.

Pre-requisites
You need to know about the game of basketball. You will get support from our in-country team but it would be helpful if you came away with some basketball coaching drills. With all sports coaching we like you to be confident to be able to support the projects and run sessions with us.

Ideal For
Basketball lovers, people wanting to travel with their basketball, basketball coaching and playing holidays, basketball sports summer camps, student holidays, basketball coaching opportunities, gap year students, university students and career breakers who love basketball.

Suitable for ages 18 to 80

Most participants are between 18 and 25, so please be aware of this. We do welcome older people because of the value and experience they bring to the community.