Sports Physiotherapy Internship in St Lucia, Castries

This internship requires you to participate for a minimum of 4 weeks. We believe an 8 week position will give both you and the athletes a lot more value. We will also need a CV from you showing at least 2 years relevant experience (ideal for university students needing a placement experience after year two of their degree course). Please also note our FAQs for further advice.

Sports Physiotherapy in St Lucia
Physiotherapy in the St Lucian sporting community is a relatively under supported and misunderstood practise and there are very few practising physiotherapist on the island.

However as part of our sports physiotherapy internship, you will work closer with lead supervisor Rebecca Wilkinson in her sports clinic for local athletes, and may additionally get the opportunity to support and shadow one of the island’s top sports physiotherapist, who has experience working alongside top international sports teams. Both are CSP (Chartered Society of Physiotherapy) registered practitioners. By supporting the work of an accomplished and experienced physiotherapist during your internship placement your input will be working towards local and national teams and players developing a better understanding of the principles of physiotherapy and the importance of injury prevention and rehabilitation.

Your Sports Physiotherapy Placement
Your sports physiotherapy placement in St Lucia will focus on supporting the work of one of the island’s top sports physiotherapist at a local practise and our mobile clinic for athletes. Your experienced mentor will talk you through specific procedures and important elements of the practise so that you are able to familiarise yourself with the behind the scenes work within a working sports physiotherapy clinic. Whilst benefiting from valuable hands on experience with injured athletes, you will develop greatly as a sports physiotherapist by picking up knowledge on a one-to-one basis from your mentor.

During you mornings your placement will see you working within your mentor’s clinic, followed by afternoon /evening work with other senior male and female sports teams around the island. We have strong links to the St Lucia national rugby union team and also the St Lucia national women’s cricket team, as well as other national sports teams, so you will have the opportunity to gain experience working as a physiotherapist for these higher level teams.

Depending on the timing of your visit, and the relevant fixtures and schedules, you may also have the opportunity to assist as a sports physiotherapist during domestic and international sports events, matches and tournaments.

Sports Physiotherapy Internship Opportunities
Taking part in a sports physiotherapy placement overseas during your gap year, career break or student holiday is a fantastic way to gain experience in order to kick-start or supplement your career in the field. Whether you are in need of a university elective or placement, or want to take the time to gain valuable experience to boost your career potential, and overseas physiotherapy placement is the best way to work, travel and build up the experience necessary to progress in the field of sports physiotherapy.

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 2023
10th Feb – 2 to 28 weeks
24th Feb – 2 to 26 weeks
10th Mar – 2 to 24 weeks
24th Mar – 2 to 22 weeks
7th Apr – 2 to 20 weeks
21st Apr – 2 to 18 weeks
5th May – 2 to 16 weeks
19th May – 2 to 14 weeks
2nd Jun – 2 to 12 weeks
16th Jun – 2 to 10 weeks
30th Jun – 2 to 8 weeks
14th Jul – 4 to 6 weeks
28th Jul – 4 weeks
11th Aug – 2 weeks

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 volunteering 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.

Preferred Duration
We would prefer you to come for at least 4 weeks on this internship to help build up your relationship with the people you are working with.

Typical Hours
Working hours will be weekday mornings from approx. 9am in the sports physiotherapy clinic, and work with national sports teams on weekday evenings from 5pm. Some weekend work may apply depending on events, fixtures and schedules.

Pre-requisites
Sports Physiotherapists need to be self-motivated to take part in this internship and have a ‘hands on’ approach. You must also have recognised experience and qualifications to at least 2nd year undergraduate level.

Ideal For
Sports Physiotherapy Internships in the Caribbean; Internship Placements in St Lucia; Activity Breaks in the Caribbean; Sports Physiotherapy Gap Years and Career Breaks in St Lucia; University Sports Physiotherapy Electives and Work Experience.

Suitable for ages 20 to 80

Most participants are between 20 and 25, so please be aware of this. We do welcome older people because of the value and experience they bring to the community.