Rugby Coaching and Playing 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.

Rugby in St Lucia
Rugby was brought to St Lucia in the early 1970’s and has had many ups and downs since. Rugby is a global sport, and the Caribbean has yet to make an impact on the world stage. Guyana have had some success in the 7’s circuit though, and we hope St Lucia with soon follow suit.

As a rugby coach you will work with the National St Lucian team, as well as coaching the children in our youth groups to build the game up at a grass roots level with the main emphasis being on participation and fun.

Your Rugby Coaching Volunteer Placement
The rugby coaching placement is ideal for anyone looking to pursue a career in sport, teaching or childcare. The placement is suitable for players and coaches of all experience, qualifications and abilities. Specific rugby aims and needs can be catered to; whether you are looking to gain international playing or coaching experience or just want to fulfil a sense of achievement from working with enthusiastic children. You will be working alongside the St Lucian RFU and the St. Lucia Referee Society. This platform will see you working closely with very experienced players, coaches, physiotherapists and match officials.

Your Rugby Coaching Role
Volunteers will have the chance to coach at a variety of different levels depending on experience and personal preference. The work with the youth groups places an emphasis on fun and interactive participation, looking to develop skills through games and activities rather than ridged drills. You have the option to be in charge of sessions, or work on specific games and activities depending on your confidence. This is also a great sporting opportunity to ‘talent-spot’ for future national players and our school of excellence.

In addition, you can also work with the National rugby teams, both male and female, to develop and improve their drills and IRB ranking. You will have the opportunity to look at aspects, such as gym routines and offer nutritional advice. You’ll also have the option to run whole sessions or work on specific drills and skill depending on what you believe is appropriate at the time! If the team is competing in a tournament during your trip you will be given the chance to go on tour, culminating in a Caribbean style after party… something not to be missed!

Summer Camps
Summer camps in St Lucia run throughout July and August, and are run in conjunction with sports charity Sacred Sports. These camps attract over 300 children across the island and are free for children aged 5 – 18yrs, offering a range of different sports. The aim is to get children off the streets and doing something positive with their long holidays off school. Volunteer sports coaches are required for cricket, football, netball and rugby.

Gap Year and Career Break Rugby in St Lucia
Your gap year in St Lucia gives you the opportunity to coach and play rugby in paradise! You will the chance to meet amazing rugby loving people and enjoy the sights, sounds and serenity of the Caribbean, leading to a truly memorable gap year, career break of volunteer holiday 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 2021
5th Feb – 2 to 30 weeks
19th Feb – 2 to 28 weeks
5th Mar – 2 to 26 weeks
19th Mar – 2 to 24 weeks
2nd Apr – 2 to 22 weeks
16th Apr – 2 to 20 weeks
30th Apr – 2 to 18 weeks
14th May – 2 to 16 weeks
28th May – 2 to 14 weeks
11th Jun – 2 to 12 weeks
25th Jun – 2 to 10 weeks
9th Jul – 4 to 8 weeks
23rd Jul – 4 to 6 weeks
6th Aug – 2 to 4 weeks
20th 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 5 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.

Arrival 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.

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.

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
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
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
No prior coaching experience or qualifications are required, but a basic understanding of the game and/or playing experience is necessary. You also need to be healthy and of reasonable fitness.

Ideal For
Gap year students, sports science degree students, post-graduates, aspiring coaches, career breakers, summer holidays, professional rugby coaches and any rugby players. Individuals and rugby tour groups.

Suitable for ages 18 to 80

18+