subject: Football Coaching Projects In South Africa [print this page] If you are a sporting enthusiast and you like to travel, you should consider heading down to the southern tip of Africa and take a turn at coaching abroad. South Africa has been inhabited since antiquity, with some of the oldest geological finds in the world discovered there, and in the succeeding years it has become a growing and influential force on the international scene. Not only is it one of the most important nations in Africa, with a wealth of benefits, it also is one of the most lively sporting nations on the continent. In fact, football has thrived in South Africa since the colonists introduced it years ago and the South African National Football Team is the main team that has represented the nation in international tournaments. For the first time, in 2010 South Africa was the host for the FIFA World Cup. Taking part in coaching abroad projects in South Africa will allow you to be a part of a growing tradition where you will be helping teach the basics of football to school children and, in your spare time, having the chance to visit Kragga Kamma Wildlife Park.
Teaching the basics of football
When you arrive in South Africa for your stint of coaching abroad, you will be taking part in lessons for local children who are at differing levels of abilities when it comes to playing football. As a team sport, it is important to instil the ideals and knowledge of working together as a team to score goals. In showing this, you will be covering the fundamentals of football such as the simple kick, running with the ball, weaving in and out of first cones then people, stopping and starting with the ball, passing, scoring and faking moves to trick your guards. In addition, you will be working with small and large groups to help them learn the basics of defending as well as demonstrating the necessity of a good defence as a team. You should ensure each participant takes turns in learning to guard the goal and playing in each position, so that they understand what each role requires. This, in turn, helps them to work together better when they form teams and play in small tournaments, as happens towards the end of the coaching sessions.
Kragga Kamma Wildlife Park
On the days that you are not busy teaching kids to play football and encouraging them to reach their sporting goals, you can take time out from the coaching abroad project to visit nearby Kragga Kamma Wildlife Park. Situated in Port Elizabeth, the Kragga Kamma Wildlife Park is a lush coastal forest and grassland that is home that is home to a large herd of African game. While here, you can take a drive (or be driven on one of the tours) through the park and have the opportunity to see the White Rhinos, Cheetahs, Giraffes, Zebras, Nyalas, Bonteboks, and Lechwes (among many other animals) in their native habitats. What an incredible opportunity!
