The perfect gap year options for sports fans
If you see yourself as quite a sporty person, you are sure to want to continue your passion for active pursuits while on a gap year. There are plenty of ways for you to do this and you could even pass on your skills to youngsters or learn the ropes of new activities yourself!
No matter how long you are thinking of going away for, spending some - if not all - of your gap travels taking part in sports volunteering projects can prove to be an immensely rewarding experience.
In doing so, you can travel to some of the most beautiful destinations in the world and as you either learn new sports or teach activities to children you will be able to take in fantastic scenery.
However, it is worth remembering that such projects abroad often take place in deprived countries and while schools and authorities may be keen for local kids to learn sports, a lack of financial resources often means that there simply is not enough money to hire a qualified teacher to do this.
Lend your time as a gap year volunteer, however, and you will be able to ensure that young people receive good-quality coaching in a variety of sports.
Working alongside teachers to run PE classes, you could choose to coach children a specific sport, although if you have experience of playing several different activities - such as cricket, netball, tennis and football - you may want to try providing a range of lessons.
No matter what you coach kids at, both they and the wider community are bound to appreciate the work that you do. As you may well be aware, playing sport has many benefits and you could help disadvantaged youngsters to learn how to work in a team, the advantages of exercise and discipline - all of which are skills that are sure to stand them in good stead for later on in life.
However, if you are keen to get to grips with a new sport yourself during your gap year then there will be ample opportunity for you to do this.
By heading to countries such as South Africa and Costa Rica, for example, you have the chance to learn how to surf.
While this is an activity that you can do in the UK, you may find the prospect of getting to grips with riding the waves to be a far more pleasurable experience when in an exotic country! In doing so, an expert instructor will teach you everything that you need to know in order to be able to surf safely.
Once you've learnt the basics, you will be free to take part in the sport at your leisure, although you may want to think about giving something back to the local community by teaching kids how to surf themselves!
No matter what kind of sports you teach or are taught in, you'll be able to combine these with a range of other active pursuits, which could include anything from assisting with animal conservation projects to going on safari.
Whatever you do, one thing will be for certain. By embarking on a sport-focused gap year, you will be able to take part in exciting activities, see beautiful countries and have amazing experiences that will stay with you for a lifetime.
