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 are 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 club’s employment hub supported by local business.

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 can assist the clubs soccer and fitness programmes or health, nutrition, education and employment programmes that are offered together with the club’s partner organisations. You can also assist the project management team with various administrative and management tasks, including marketing, fundraising and public relations.

It is possible to get volunteering at this project accredited as an internship for many differnt fields of studies, e.g. Sports Management, Sports Sciences, (Special Needs) Education, Business Administration and Non-Profit Management. 

When volunteering or interning in this football club, your tasks will be adjusted to your qualifications and interests and will incude for example:

• Soccer Coaching: assist coaching of various teams U8 to U18 or Senior ladies or men’s team
• Fitness Coaching: assist fitness coaching for various teams and age groups, develop training material
• Fascia Training:  Train local coaches on fascia training, insruct players
• Nutrition: Further development of information and training material on nutrition
• Education: Tutor older (out of school) players with special learning needs, teach English and Maths or assist the afternoon programme for primary school children

You are also welcome to support other programmes of the club, for example:

• Support business administration and project management tasks
• Support planning of events
• Support Monitoring & Evaluation: Assessment and documentation of the programmes’ impact
• Support commuication and public relations, including photography, film making, webdesign and social media management

Total costs for an 8-week volunteer or internship placement in this football project from 2.510 €

What is included:

• Return Flight from Europe to South Africa*
• International Health Insurance*
• Airport transfers upon arrival and departure
• 1-day orientation programme with city tour to introduce you to past and current achievements and challenges of South Africa’s young democracy
• Accommodation in double room (single room available upon request)**
• Food***
• Qualified support and advise around volunteer and internship placements in South Africa
• Processing of application documents, contracts as well as paperwork to get the programme accredited by your university
• Support with applications for scholarships or financial aid
• Support with all travel preparations (Flight, Visa, Insurances, Vaccinations, Transfer to the project etc.)
• 24/7 Support in cases of emergency
• Professional supervision and guidance on your job
• Support in organising weekend activities
• Access to live&learn network in South Africa as well as contact to other participants before departure
• Competent contact persons in Cape Town to support you with all questions and problems while you are in South Africa
• Volunteer and/or internship confirmation for your CV

* 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