Each year, students from Bridgwater and Taunton College travel to Gqeberha, South Africa to take part in a two-week international placement with United Through Sport.
This year, Level 3 Sport and Exercise Science students once again joined our programmes, working in township schools across the Northern Areas of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) to coach sport, support learning and help inspire the next generation.
Sport and Exercise Science Students Coach in Township Schools
On their first day in the community, students began delivering sports coaching sessions at local primary schools, including Astra and Kronenberg.
The sessions introduced children to a variety of sports, including cricket, football, netball, hockey, and rugby.
Through these activities, the Bridgwater students helped young learners develop teamwork, communication and confidence, while also gaining valuable coaching experience themselves.
Alongside sports coaching, the group also led tutorial-based sessions within the United Through Sport Centre of Excellence programme, focusing on self-esteem and personal development with learners from Astra and Isaac Booi Primary Schools.
Supporting Education in the Classroom
The programme goes beyond sport, giving visiting students the opportunity to contribute to the classroom environment as well.
At Isaac Booi Primary School, the Bridgwater group supported teachers through a range of activities designed to improve literacy and numeracy skills. Their work included:
- Planning and delivering English and maths lessons
- Supporting one-to-one reading sessions in the school library
- Leading fundamental movement sessions for reception-age learners
These experiences allow students to develop important leadership and communication skills while supporting young learners in meaningful ways.
Preparing for Competition
During their second week in schools such as Strelitzia and Kronenberg, the focus shifted towards preparing learners for a multi-sport tournament.
Students worked with children to develop an understanding of tournament rules, teamwork and game strategy, helping them get ready for a day of friendly competition.
A Tournament for the Community
The placement culminated in a multi-sport tournament, bringing together six local primary schools that had been coached by the Bridgwater students during their stay.
For many of the young participants, events like this provide a rare opportunity to experience organised competitive sport.
More than 240 children took part in the event, competing in football, netball, hockey, and rugby.
Alongside the matches, learners also attended life skills sessions delivered by United Through Sport, including important educational workshops on topics such as sexual health and alcohol awareness, supported by partners including Aware.org.
Tournament Results
The day was filled with energy, teamwork and excitement as the schools competed across multiple sports.
Tournament winners:
- Football – Triomf Primary School
- Hockey – Astra Primary School (second consecutive win)
- Rugby – Strelitzia Primary School
- Netball – Bethelsdorp Primary School (second consecutive win)
Participating schools included Astra, Sanctor, Triomf, Strelitzia, Bethelsdorp and Kronenberg Primary Schools.
Learning Through Service
Throughout the two-week programme, Bridgwater students also took part in community activities beyond sport and education. From helping paint spaces within schools to visiting local community services such as a fire station, the experience offered a broader understanding of the community they were supporting.
Placements like these are designed to create a two-way learning experience, benefiting the children and schools involved while helping visiting students develop confidence, leadership and real-world coaching experience.
Building Opportunities Through Sport
The annual partnership between Bridgwater College and United Through Sport continues to create opportunities for both local learners and visiting students.
Through sport, education and life skills programmes, the initiative helps young people build confidence, develop essential skills and experience the power of teamwork.
With another successful tournament completed, we look forward to welcoming the next group of Bridgwater students and continuing to create opportunities for young people through sport.nership for years to come.
Thank you, Bridgewater Level 3 Sport and Exercise Science students.