We asked a range of participants of the sports coaching participants of Sport Lived to give their top tips on how to make the most of their experience coaching people in different sports. Here's what they had to say...

Make the most of your mentor.

We do understand that taking the plunge to travel overseas to coach sport can seem a daunting prospect. However, the friends, experience and memories from your Sport Lived will stay with your for the rest of your life. Making contact with as many people as possible is essential as is making the most of your mentor. Sport Lived mentors are hand-picked for their warm, welcoming personalities. They will help with all sorts of practical issues and have in-depth local knowledge, which is an incredibly useful resource available to all participants. Here's what Ginne had to say, "One of the great things about being a mentor is being able to pass on my passion for New Zealand to the participants".

Make a Plan

Think about what you want to get our of your programme overseas and set some goals before you leave home. These can include seeing a development in your own sporting ability, obtaining more sports coaching experience or just simply achieve work experience in an overseas environment. Other examples of previous participants' goals include:

• become a more consistent batsman
• travel in Australia and dive the Great Barrier Reef
• Improve my overall strength and fitness
• Get selected for a Victoria State hockey squad.
  
  

Throw Yourself Into It

Its a cliche, but its also true. The more you put into your sport the more you'll get out. The clubs, academies and coaching placements are hand picked for their facilities. Your Antipodean hosts are also renowned for their hospitality so go ahead and make the most of it. Attend training sessions, go for drinks with your team mates and get involved with the junior section at your club. There will be lots of social events and activities organised by your Mentors - these will help you to get to know all the participants in your city.

By throwing yourself into your programme you will become fully integrated into life overseas and you are likely to have a much more fulfilling and rewarding experience.

Travel

Living in Australia and New Zealand affords participants with a once in a lifetime opportunity to see some of the world's most amazing sites. Often a group of participants get together at the end of their programme to travel around their chosen destination or even further afield. Many clubs also arrange pre-season tours which are a fantastic opportunity to see some of the country whilst getting to know your team mates.

Take the advice of Richard who went to Melbourne to play cricket:

"Do it, and make the most of every opportunity available to you, because you will always look back and remember this time".

Sport Lived we believe that a Gap Year should be one of the most exciting experiences of your life. That’s why we organise sporting gap year programmes in  exotic locations around the world. Whether you want to play rugby in New Zealand, hone your sports coaching skills in Australia or work intensively on your game at one of our academies, Sport Lived can offer the ultimate sporting gap year adventure. Visit www.SportLived.co.uk and book your place now.