The Sharks Academy Rugby Community Programme

4 weeks duration on a monthly basis – February to September only

Limited to 24 places per month.

For the player who wants to test and expand his rugby skills alongside the stars of tomorrow at the home of The Super 14 Sharks, but also wants to experience everyday life in the Townships of Durban.

Rugby Programme

Playing You will be attached to either a Premier or First Division club in Durban (dependant on ability). Training twice a week and playing for the club on a weekly basis. Sharks Academy You will join the full time Academy players for two skills sessions per week, training alongside Sharks and SA U19/U21 players, being coached by the Academy staff. Conditioning Training You will be assessed and placed on a personal physical conditioning programme and will work-out daily at the Academy Gymn under the supervision of their Fitness Staff. Clothing You will be provided with the following clothing: Sharks Academy – rugby jersey, polo shirt, two tee shirts, shorts, socks and back pack.

Rugby Performance – two polo shirts, two tee shirts and casual shorts.

Accommodation

Safe and secure accommodation will be arranged with other overseas players, being placed in a rugby house of six close to the ABSA Stadium, Durban.

Meals

You will self cater with fresh ingredients supplied daily to provide three healthy, balanced and nutritious meals.

Transport

All transport to Sharks Academy, club and community projects will be provided.

Medical

Rugby medical injury insurance will be provided. You will have to take out your own travel/general medical insurance.

Sharks Matches

You will be able to watch – dependant on month – Currie Cup or Super 14 matches at the 52,000 seater ABSA Stadium.

Excursions

To include visits to:

PheZulu Village – a traditional working Zulu Village with a crocodile and snake park in the fabulous Valley of 1000 Hills.

Tala Game Reserve – Game drive in Durban’s finest game reserve.

U Shaka Marine Park and Waterworld. – watch shark feeding time and enjoy the flumes in Africa’s largest marine and waterpark.

Flights

All flights are the responsibility of the player. SA and Durban are served by all major airlines. Durban has just opened a new International airport, currently Emirates fly direct from UK to Durban via Dubai.

Community Programme

To ensure that you gain the widest experience possible during your stay we offer a range of community projects in and around Durban. Based primarily in Wentworth, Merewent and Umlazi Townships we aim to expose you to several different projects to allow you to fully appreciate cultural differences and to see ‘first hand’ the challenges people face in their everyday lives. The projects will be mostly ‘hands on’ encouraging you to develop personal skills and interact with the adults or young people you meet, giving you many experiences we hope you will share with others when you return to UK. The 'Toxic Tour' and ‘Umlazi Township Tour’ will give you background into the communities you will be working in, clearly showing the environmental, health and social issues they face daily.

As we work with a range of both professional and community groups on the community projects their needs alter during the year and thus so does the exact nature of the projects we offer. The following are the projects you can expect to be involved with:

The Blue Roof HIV/Aids Clinic - owned and run by the US Charity – ‘Keep a Child Alive’ – it currently has over 1000 patients – including 30 young children. You could be involved in minor maintenance, home visits, vegetable garden or serving meals.

St. Monica’s Children’s Home – local children’s home for 85, two – sixteen year olds. You could be involved in play activities or trips out, minor repairs and painting or preparing and serving meals.

‘WOW’ – Women of Wentworth, local action group. They run many adult and children activity groups to serve the community. You could be involved with Jae Dance Academy, Garden and catering project- providing healthy food options for the community or ‘Get out of Gangsterism thro Sport’

WESSA – Wildlife Environmental Society of South Africa – based at Treasure Beach Study Centre. You will assist the centre staff, either on site or on location in the environment, with groups of local young people with such topics as Rocky Shore, Mangrove or Forest study.

Township Primary School Support – working in a variety of Township primary schools with classes typically between 40 and 60 learners you will support the Educators. You will quickly develop your teaching skills in this very personal ‘face to face’ environment.

Township Sports Coaching –you could be involved in multi sport and rugby coaching sessions at a variety of Township locations, organized by either KZN Academy of Sport or KZN Rugby Union these will allow you to develop your coaching and personal skills in very basic and challenging situations.

Cost: £1,810* per person (excl flights)

*subject to exchange rate fluctuations

NB. Secure your place by paying a 50% deposit - on payment screen in coupon code, enter DEP1GAP.
Final amount owing 2 months prior to course beginning (use code DEP2GAP).