You are a graduate or a student of business admin, sports management, sports sciences or non-profit management with an interest to collect international professional experience? You are looking for a versatile internship or volunteer placement and you are keen to learn more about the potential of sports for development?
Then this international sports management internship in an extraordinary soccer club in Cape Town, South Africa provides ample of opportunities to learn and grow, and contribute to a good cause at the same time!
Football speaks a universal language that transcends borders and connects people from different social and cultural backgrounds. The belief in this potential of football led to the foundation of this dedicated football club in Cape Town in 2014.
The goals of the club do not only include the promotion of professional football and the development of a professional team that can compete on a national and international level. Other equally important goals are the use of football as a tool in social and educational work as well as bringing people from different social and cultural backgrounds together.
Today, around 320 male and female players train in 14 youth teams (U6 – U18) and play in various local and regional leagues. There is also two senior teams – a women’s team and a men’s team that play at regional league level. Once a week, the club organises “Rainbow Soccer” – where young and old from all social and cultural backgrounds meet to play football as a hobby or as a way to meet people from all walks of life.
The structure of the club as well as the training concept is characterised by a holistic intervention model that focuses on the social and economic challenges of players from historically disadvantaged communities. Player development is not only about technical and tactical skills. There is also a strong focus on health issues (nutrition, hygiene, lifestyle) and personal and mental skills (values, self-confidence, goal orientation).
For children and young people, the club offers homework support and tutoring, while older players take part in the club’s vocational orientation, further education and employment programme. Suitable players are trained as coaches and find their first job in the club. Other players are placed in local partner companies and organisations through the employment programme.
The association is financed by membership fees and various South African, English and German sponsors. Patron of the association is Jürgen Klopp, former professional footballer and current coach of Liverpool FC.
As versatile as the club is, so are the opportunities to support this club as an intern or volunteer. You either assist the clubs soccer and fitness programmes or health, nutrition, education and employment programmes that are offered together with the club’s partner organisations.
This versatile International Sports Management Internship in Cape Town South Africa allows you a deep insight into the sport-loving nation of South Africa. You will meet and work along sinde people from very differnt social and cultural backgrounds and you will learn a lot about the potential of sports in international development work.
<strong>Location:</strong> Cape Town
<strong>Starting Date:</strong> Flexible
<strong>Duration:</strong> from 8 Weeks
<strong>Focus Areas:</strong>Sports Management, Sports Sciences, Marketing, Business Administration, Social Media, Sponsoring, Football and Fitness Coaching, Monitorin&Evaluation, Media Management, Non-Profit Management, Nutrition, Public Health Management
<strong>Accommodation:</strong> in double or single room in the house or flat together with volunteers, interns, soccer players of the senior team as well as coaches
<strong>Requirements:</strong> Experience or skills in Sports Management, Sport Sciences, Marketing, Business Administration, Non-Profit Management, Communication or Fundraising; enthusiasm for mass participation sports and professional sports
As part of this international sports management internship your tasks will be adjusted to your qualifications and interests and will incude:
Sports Management interns and volunteers are also welcome to support other programmes of the club, for example:
Total costs for an 8-week Sports Management Internship in South Africa , including all programme fees, travel and living costs: from 2.500 €
What is included:
* You will book your own flights and travel insurance. The costs are included in the quoted total costs.
** A single room is available at additional costs.
*** You are catering for yourself. The costs for 3 meals per day are included in the quoted total costs.
Not included: Personal expenditure for free time activities
"I felt very well looked after by live&learn. You always had a contact person. The advantage was, of course, that I was in Muizenberg and thus very close to the live&learn office. In addition, the relationship is so warm. You feel welcome and comfortable right away when you arrive. The metings on the Bluebird Market is also a really good idea and should definitely be maintained. It always made me really look forward to Friday and it was a nice start to the weekend. I also got to know most of the other volunteers. It was also helpful that the live&learn team is from Germany and can provide good advice and a lot of understanding in case of cultural differences. If I had any problems, I was always helped immediately. My expectations were exceeded by far. I have been looking for a small organization, which advises and supports you individually, for a long time. This has been definitely fulfilled by live&learn. I would definitely recommend live&learn to others."
Maria, Social Work Graduate
"Through live&earn I volunteered for 3 months at the soccer club HBUFC in Cape Town. To be honest it was one of the best times I had in my life. Despite the Corona pandemic almost everything went smoothly and if there were any problems, I could always rely on live&learn. What struck me as particularly positive was the personal connection with teh live&learn team. You can tell that it is a small company. You as a participant are not one of countless others, but the live&learn team take care of you conscientiously and very personally in case of problems."
Jasper, Matric Student
"The internship offers a great opportunity to get to know South Africa off the beaten tourist track. ... It has also allowed me to develop personally on all levels. My best experience? The chanting of the entire team on the bus on the way to away matches ... Always a very special moment with the Rainbow Army!"
Tim, Sports Sciences Student
"I am incredibly happy about the time I was able to spend in Hout Bay. My personal highlight, besides the many other memorable experiences, was definitely the people I got to know through HBUFC. The coaches as well as the players and office girls always welcomed me with open arms, helped me when I just looked like I was a bit lost, and met my questions and concerns with patience and ease. I've always felt welcome and am grateful to say that I've built relationships there that I would come back to Hout Bay for anytime."
Josi, Teaching Student - Read Feedback Report
"Cape Town is such a lovely diverse city, there is so much to discover and experience. My sabbatical at HBUFC was just as diverse. My time was just great! The club is a warm community with great programmes and values!"
Andra, Professional
"I am incredibly happy about the time I was able to spend in Hout Bay. My personal highlight, besides the many other memorable experiences, was definitely the people I got to know through HBUFC. The coaches as well as the players and office girls always welcomed me with open arms, helped me when I just looked like I was a bit lost, and met my questions and concerns with patience and ease. I've always felt welcome and am grateful to say that I've built relationships there that I would come back to Hout Bay for anytime."
Josi, Lehramtsstudentin - Read Feedback Report
"The internship offers a great opportunity to get to know South Africa off the beaten tourist track. ... It has also allowed me to develop personally on all levels. My best experience? The chanting of the entire team on the bus on the way to away matches ... Always a very special moment with the Rainbow Army!"
Tim, Sportwissenschaften Student
"Through live&earn I did 3 months of volunteering in Cape Town at the soccer club HBUFC. To be honest it was one of the best times I had in my life. Despite the Corona pandemic almost everything went smoothly and if there were any problems, I could always rely on live&learn. What struck me as particularly positive was the personal connection with teh live&learn team. You can tell that it is a small company. You as a participant are not one of countless others, but the live&learn team take care of you conscientiously and very personally in case of problems."
Jasper, Abiturient
"An internship at HBUFC gives you the opportunity to get to know many different people and cultures. ...The tasks of my 4-month internship were very multifaceted - from creating templates for the club's social media presence, creating and posting Instagram posts on match days, Google Ads, web design and writing newsletters - there was lots to do and learn!"
Andi, Betriebswirtschaftsstudent
"Cape Town is such a lovely diverse city, there is so much to discover and experience. My sabbatical at HBUFC was just as diverse. My time was just great! The club is a warm community with great programmes and values!"
Andra, Berufstätige
"What I believe makes this project so special is its long-term vision and holistic approach ... the combination of sport, education and nutrition: in my opinion the three important pillars in the development of children. Very cool to contribute to each of these parts! It’s exactly this that makes the volunteering so diverse: a day can consist of surfing, helping out in the classroom, giving workshops, doing beach clean-ups or organising other activities. "
Eline, Graduate from France
"Even now, almost a month after my time in South Africa, I'm just so happy with all the experiences I've had. It was so great to experience and get to know the animals and to get an insight into conservation work. It was much better than I thought and I would do the same again immediately. I was able to be part of the team, I was very well integrated into the team and was able to experience everyday life of a wildlife conservationist."
Sophia, Graduate
This project has exceeded my expectations. Every day was full of memorable highlights. To be able to be so close to the animals and to contribute to the smooth running of the reserves was an amazing experience! It really felt good to make a difference and contribute to sustainable wildlife management and at the same time to learn so much about South Africa’s amazing flora and fauna.
Justine, Professional
"I feel the VET course was really worth of every penny, and exceeded expectations with every aspect. Im really happy all the things learned, and I felt very welcome from the beginning. Food was amazing! The only negative thing I can think about is that I had to leave too early. Even still I felt, that I got experience a lot and variety of things. Will be definitely recommending to other students! Thank you once again for everything and having me! Miss you and already planning when it will be possible to come back!"
Silja, Vet Student from the USA
"The VetX Wildlife Capture & Care course has been one of the most hands-on and inspiring veterinary experiences of my life. Being a wildlife and zoo vet myself, my expectations were high. Not only did I improve my practical skills and confidence, I also learned a lot about the capture and immobilisation of different species, as well as conservation and human-wildlife conflicts. Hein very passionately shares his knowledge about african animals with his students, puts in a lot of effort to make a variety of captures possible and always encourages you to get out of your comfort zone. VetX works with very experienced vets, who are always happy to answer any question. Pierre gives amazing lectures, because he truly understands all veterinary topics to the core and his excitement for them makes it very easy to follow. Darting practice out of a helicopter was one of many highlights for me and because the programme closely works with incredible helicopter pilots and netgunners, students always get to be part of the action even if the vet is not needed to be there for relocating or checking an animal. I simply love the team's philosophy that everyone becomes a friend to them and it truly felt like that to me, so it was very hard for me to leave that special place again after three unforgettable weeks in South Africa."
Lisa, trained Vet from Germany
"I enjoyed my volunteer service in South Africa very much. I helped the teacher with the lessons - for example, I drew pictures on the blackboard and helped the children to draw them. Sometimes I told them stories or fairy tales in English. In the mornings I practiced English with them, we practiced the days of the week, months, numbers, food, animals, etc.. When the children played outside, I supervised them and made sure nothing happened."
Karin, Auszubildene
"I loved the volunteer placement very much and I would do it again any time. My highlight was definitely the childrens’ joy of living children and the warmth and kindness that was shown to you by everyone (whether child or teacher). I was welcomed with open arms and felt part of the team in a few days."
Luna, Abiturientin