I think I gained more confidence due to pushing myself out of my comfort zone and going on a trip by myself. It is a really valuable experience meeting new people and learning the ways of a new culture. I would highly encourage anyone to do it and the advice I would give is you definitely won’t regret it!
Sports Education Volunteer Project in Fiji - Sigatoka
Purpose
Start dates
Duration
Volunteer hours
Age
Accommodation
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
This program is ideal for:
Project details
Excited to join the team of Sports Education volunteers in Fiji? International Volunteer HQ’s Sports project places volunteers in after-school sports programs based in local villages in Sigatoka. Volunteers gain teaching, coaching and mentoring experience while sharing their love of sports with local students who are active, lively and love to play outdoors. Volunteers help deliver sports and lessons that cater to every ability, creating a fun and healthy environment.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
Sport is an integral part of growing up in Fiji, where young people have seemingly boundless energy and love to expend it playing outside.
Volunteers will be helping out at after-school sports programs based in a nearby village.
As a Sports Education volunteer on the after-school program, your role is to:
- Play games with children
- Introduce and teach new sports
- Encourage fair play and teamwork
- Help children improve their skills and be active
This project can be unstructured, so you’ll need to be flexible and be willing to teach their choice of sports/activities with limited equipment available. The main sports children play are football, netball, rugby and volleyball, however you’re welcome to introduce a sport from your home.
During the school holidays, all volunteers will participate in the Kids Club which is run by the local team in a nearby village. Monday to Thursday will involve general teaching with a theme assigned to each week such as healthy living. On Fridays volunteers run a sports activity day.
School holiday dates:
- December 8 to January 29, 2024
- May 6 to May 17, 2024
- August 26 to September 6, 2024
- December 9 to January 24, 2025
The remaining 2025 school term dates have not yet been confirmed but holidays typically fall around the months of May, August, September and December.
Why do Sports Education volunteering in Sigatoka with IVHQ?
When you volunteer on the Sports Education project in Fiji you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Improving access to physical education for students
- Helping students develop life skills in a safe place
- Learning or practicing Fijian
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining teaching experience
- Immersing yourself fully in the Fijian way of life
- Exploring Fiji’s blissful beaches
Volunteer requirements
- Volunteers under the age of 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
- Volunteers aged 17 on their program start date are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional document to the local team.
- All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 13-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
- All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
- To respect the local culture and customs in Fiji, volunteers should be aware that they’re unable to have anything obstructing their face while at their volunteer placement.
- All volunteers must speak fluent English.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
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Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Fiji photo gallery
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
I think learning about other cultures/ways of life is invaluable and is a huge benefit to me as I continue to grow as a person. This experience really opened my eyes to the world around me and I hope I left a positive impact on the local community.
Participating in the Sports Education program in Fiji was the best decision I’ve ever made. I am not joking when I say that was the best two weeks of my entire life so far. Not only the volunteering, cultural and adventure aspect, but also the other volunteers I met will be great friends for life! I miss it already and I can’t wait to do some more volunteering in the future.
I feel like I gained my sense of self and learned so much about different cultures around the world through fellow volunteers and was able to immerse myself into such a loving and special community! You should be prepared to live differently than you do back at home, although that was one of my favorite part of the experience! I would absolutely recommend joining an IVHQ program and pushing yourself to see what you’re made of. This was my first volunteer experience and I cannot wait to join another! My sister has also just signed up to do childcare in Bali after hearing about my experience!
I feel I have gained increasing education about the importance of diversity and empathy and how volunteering expands your horizons promoting professional development within yourself. In addition seeing how sport is played in another country gives me an appreciation for how sport can be played in different ways and be open to change. My advice, in relation to joining this program, is put yourself out there!. Sign up to an unforgettable experience immersed with learning and professional development. You will not regret the positives that will come out of the program for yourself.
I feel as though I gained an eye opening experience, in which has helped me to discover more about myself and also be more appreciative of the life I live at home. If you are hesitant on joining I would start with doing a project closer to home and for 2 weeks, and extending if you enjoy it!! There is nothing to lose by helping others.
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Academic course credit
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course creditLocation
Location
The IVHQ Fiji program is based on the Coral Coast of Fiji, which is on the south-eastern coast of mainland Fiji. Although Fiji is known as an island paradise with a thriving tourist industry, many Fijians face challenges associated with living below the poverty line. Volunteers provide valuable support in helping with the development and improvement of infrastructure in this small island nation, especially as it continues to grow.
Volunteer placements are located in and around Sigatoka which has some of the best beaches on the island. Volunteers travel to their placements from the volunteer accommodation via taxi. The accommodation is a 15-minute taxi ride to Sigatoka town and a mere 2-minute walk to the nearest beach.
Arrival and orientation
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Nadi International Airport (NAN) in Nadi. An airport pick up is provided here on Saturdays and Sundays between 6:00 AM and 4:30 PM only. If you arrive between this time, you will be met at the airport by a member of the local team who will provide assistance with your bus transfer to Sigatoka. You will then be picked up by a member of our local team at the Sigatoka bus station.
If you arrive outside of these times you can arrange a late airport pick up as an add on option. Alternatively you can arrange your own accommodation in Nadi and then make your way to Sigatoka via bus the following morning.
If you arrive prior to 6am, you may wait in the arrivals terminal until the local team can meet and assist you with your bus transfer.
Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are traveling in Fiji prior to your volunteer program, you will need to make your own way to the volunteer accommodation and the local team will provide guidance on this.
There are two options for orientation for the Fiji Program.
One-day orientation:
This begins on the morning of your chosen start date and runs for a full day. Orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Fiji, including an introduction to Fiji, culture and customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities, city tour and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socialising.
Introduction Week:
The Introduction Week begins on the morning of your chosen start date and runs for the first five days of your stay. It is an awesome way to kickstart your volunteer abroad experience and it covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Fiji, plus you’ll learn more about the culture and get to tick off must-do Fiji experiences! This includes a Kava welcome ceremony; weaving class, hike to a waterfall, language class, cooking class; and trip to Maui Bay!
Please note, the Introduction week is included in your total duration on the program. If you would like to take part in this week, please let your Program Manager know.
Volunteer schedule example
First Day
On your first day of volunteering, you will be taken to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.
Weekdays Please note that start times and daily workloads depend on the project that you are participating on. Some placements run in the afternoon and volunteers on these placements will have the morning to create their lesson plans, or can join another project.
A typical volunteer day is as follows:
7:30 - 8:30AM | Breakfast at the volunteer house and then travel to your placement to join local placement staff. |
9:00 AM | Lesson planning or join the Teaching or Childcare project. |
12:00 PM | Volunteers break for lunch. |
3:00 PM | Travel to your placement. |
5:30 PM | Head back to the volunteer house. |
5:30 PM | Dinner at the volunteer house. After dinner, you will have the remainder of the evening free to relax and use as you wish. |
To ensure the safety of our volunteers and respect of others in the volunteer accommodation, a curfew of 11:30 PM has been put in place for every evening, including the weekend. If you wish to stay out longer, you must discuss this first with our local team and arrange alternative accommodation.
Weekends
Volunteers can spend the weekends exploring Sigatoka, visiting the beautiful pristine coastlines, beaches or rainforests. Volunteers can spend the weekends exploring the Coral Coast which is a stretch of beaches and bays between Nadi and Suva. Along this coastline is the Pacific Harbour (approximately 1.5 hours from Sigatoka), which is the self-proclaimed ‘Adventure Capital’ of Fiji. From Pacific Harbour you can organize activities, such as kayaking, white-water rafting, shark feeding, jet ski tours, zip lining and diving. It is recommended you budget for these additional weekend trips.
Accommodation and WiFi
You’ll stay in dormitory-style volunteer houses located in the Sigatoka area near the community where volunteers work. It is approximately 15 minutes by taxi from Sigatoka town and 2 minutes from the beach. The area has a very strong friendly Fijian culture. A curfew of 11:30 PM is in effect every evening, including weekends, to ensure the safety and respect of others in the volunteer accommodation.
The volunteer house is very basic but comfortable, with electricity, fans, and running water. Bathrooms in the volunteer houses are all western style with a shower, toilet and basin. Bedding is provided which includes a pillow, pillowcase and sheets (Washed Weekly). You will need to bring a towel and toiletries.
You can expect to share a room with up to 5 other volunteers of the same gender. Couples or individuals who want more privacy have an option to upgrade to private accommodation. Private rooms are subject to availability and therefore you must arrange this well in advance of your program. The local team will do their best to keep families together.
While basic WiFi is available for communication use at the accommodation internet access, it is not always reliable. Therefore we recommend purchasing a local SIM card with data for an unlocked mobile phone. The local team can assist you with purchasing this during your program orientation in Sigatoka and is relatively cheap 30FJD for 60GB a month). WiFi is also available at cafes and restaurants around Sigatoka.
Please note that during busy times, some volunteers maybe accommodated in a nearby hotel. Volunteers who are placed in the hotel will still have all their meals at the volunteer house.
Meals
Fijian food is tasty and diverse, with a strong influence of Indian and Chinese cuisine. Three meals a day are served at the volunteer house on weekdays, but on weekends only breakfast and dinner are served, leaving volunteers responsible for their own lunches. Typical dishes include chow mein (Fiji style stir-fried noodles and vegetables), starches such as cassava, taro, sweet potato, bread, fruit, rice, stews, soups and curries.
Breakfast is typically cereal, tea, coffee, fruit, eggs and toast.
Bottled water is readily available in Fiji and there are water filters available in the volunteer accommodation for volunteers.
If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know when you apply for the program so we can discuss this with you. The local team will do their best to see that you are well taken care of but you should not expect to eat as you do at home. If you wish to supplement some of your meals with home comforts, there are basic kitchen facilities available to use and the local team will show you where to buy food during orientation.
Pricing
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately £239) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
---|---|
1 week | $510 Equivalent to $73/day |
2 weeks | $730 Equivalent to $52/day |
3 weeks | $955 Equivalent to $45/day |
4 weeks | $1,175 Equivalent to $42/day |
5 weeks | $1,375 Equivalent to $39/day |
6 weeks | $1,580 Equivalent to $38/day |
8 weeks | $1,990 Equivalent to $36/day |
10 weeks | $2,420 Equivalent to $35/day |
12 weeks | $2,830 Equivalent to $34/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately £239) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Fiji generally find US$100 per week to be sufficient for expenses.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Airport pick-up
- Transport to and from your volunteer placement each day
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- Return to the airport when your program finishes
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
- Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.
Free-time experiences & tours in Sigatoka
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with IVHQ's affordable activity and tour add-ons in Sigatoka! Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Sigatoka program.
The Introduction Week is an awesome way to kickstart your volunteer abroad experience and it covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Fiji.
Enjoy a stress free ride from the accommodation back to either Nadi International Airport or Nausori International Airport arranged by our local team.
If you’re arriving outside the airport pick-up times, book this add on now!
Check what's required to visit Fiji
Safety and support
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
Essential country information
Capital | Suva |
Population | 909,943 |
Languages | English, Fijian and Fijian Hindi |
Currency | Fijian Dollar (FJD) |
Time zone | UTC+12:00 |
Weather and climate
Fiji has a hot climate all year round with maximum temperatures averaging between 26°C and 31°C (79°F - 88°F). The wet season runs from November to April and the dry season runs from May through October. The wet season is characterised by high humidity with heavy downpours followed by sunshine. The dry season is when temperatures are typically cooler with little rainfall.