Sports Programs

All around the world kids can be found on empty sandlots playing soccer and/or cricket, typically with a makeshift ball and some scrap wood or rocks to mark the goals/wicket. It’s obvious that sports provide excellent exercise and an outlet for burning off excess energy and agression. Just as important though are the benefits of socialization, teaching kids team work, motor skills and planning/strategy. They can learn the importance of cooperating, sharing and being a good winner/loser. However, without a coach or role model to direct this learning, then it’s just kicking a ball around the field.

The Muskoka Foundation Sports Program, follows the ‘train the trainer’ model by training overland travelers how to teach adults in the communities to become coaches to the kids. With this they can start more formalized soccer and cricket programs for their youths. We provide all the equipment (eg: balls, cones, wickets) together with practical drills and techniques for creating great coaches and role models.

This is one of the easiest programs offered by The Muskoka Foundation, as no special skills or background are required.

Volunteers simply must have:

• A desire to mentor parents in the villages on how to be great coaches
• Patience to overcome the language and cultural issues, building deep relationships that can last for years.
• Passion to help the kids, creating a fun and supportive environment

The benefits of the Sports Program are one of the most immediately apparent: the kids love receiving their new balls, bats and cones. But the impact is also extremely sustainable. By coaching the coaches, you are creating a lasting program that if maintained, will affect not only the group of children you’ll meet in the Muskoka Village but ongoing cohorts of kids as they come through the program and gain a passion for the game.

Depending on how much room the overland travelers have in their vehicle for the free equipment, this is the type of program that can easily be run in multiple villages to leave a wake of fun and positive impacts as they travel.

We are currently looking for our first sports success story, if you think you'd like to help us fill in this section with an inspirational story of how you've helped a community get their sports program up and running, then please contact us!

If you're generally fit, enjoy sports, and would like to connect with a group of parents on your travels, helping them to start a soccer or cricket program in their community, then please contact us, and we'll help set you up!