Gap year sports

Whatever your chosen sport, you could spend your GAP year either getting better at it, or coaching other people.

Footballing, cricket and boxing GAP years

Season Workers would like to thank GAP Sports Abroad for their help in producing this section. GAP Sports Abroad has given its volunteers exposure to some of Africa 's finest talent and at the same time helps with the development of sports in third world countries. After its early exploration of possible football opportunities, GSA focused their attention into Ghana , West Africa . With world-class players such as Tony Yeboah, Sam Kuffour and Abedi Pele leaving the country, it was clear that there lied an undiscovered pool of raw talent. Some leading international football clubs have already acknowledged the need to establish strong roots in Ghana , and none more so than Dutch Giants Ajax and Feyenoord.

Having built a number of academies and implementing long term training programmes they firmly believe the Ghanaians will soon be making their mark on the game. With the placements GSA provide through these clubs, and through other Ghana-based academies, volunteers can learn from and contribute massively to the West African game. Because of the variety of GSA positions available, volunteers with any level of footballing background can have the chance to coach in Ghana, be it at an under 12 youth club or while shadowing a premier league head coach. GSA aim to offer more than merely supervising a few training sessions a week. Instead GSA welcome volunteers who want to introduce their own coaching ideas and theories; from sunrise beach runs to well organised youth tournaments.

A GSA football-coaching placement does not stop there. Volunteers are encouraged to take part in the Search for a Champion; a programme set up by GSA that places coaches in African villages to organise and run sports activities with the local children. Not only are underprivileged kids allowed to practice and train with decent football equipment, a volunteer may discover Africa 's next big footballing star!

Sailing and watersports GAP years

Many training organisations provide watersports courses suitable for part of a GAP year whatever experience you might have. Recognised and accredited schools are able to offer a range of certified courses in Professional Crewing, Yacht and Skippering, Windsurfing, Dinghy Sailing, Diving, Kitesurfing etc... There are literally thousands of combinatiuons and places to train. Many people following this GAP year route have found a new career! Also available are multi discipline programmes which offer you the opportunity to try out and develop a number of watersports at the same time. You might try the outdoor section for a job that incorporates training programmes with your summer work. You should also make sure that your couyrse provider is properly registered with the relevant bodies. Details for this can be found in the outdoor sorts help section.

Some sporty gap years