Parents Feedback

“If you are considering a Gap Year I would strongly recommend Sport Lived – it is a most professional and caring organisation…Emma had the time of her life in Melbourne and I really am most grateful to all the team”

Sandra Batten, Parent of Emma Batten, Hockey in Melbourne 2007

“I gave you a very privileged 18 year old boy and you have given me back a mature young man.  He is having the time of his life, playing rugby, surfing, socializing, getting into scrapes (and then having to get himself out of them).  The group of lads he is with could not be better.  If you said write your dream ticket it would be something like playing rugby in New Zealand with a bunch of Kiwis, lads from around the world and a large delegation from Dublin.  Special thanks to your staff in Auckland who have made Sami’s trip so memorable.”

Richard Eggleston, Father of Sami Eggleston, Rugby in Auckland 2008

“We found Sport Lived a very professional company to deal with. Definitely not one of those gap year companies one hears about that take your money and leave you to it. They really supported Charlie all the way through – from pre-departure briefing, to programme co-ordinator contact prior to and on arrival, help with opening a bank account, tax registration and job hunting and then support right through to the end of his stay as and when needed. As a parent, seeing your child go to the other side of the world when he has just left school is a daunting prospect – it was a real comfort to know that there was a support structure for him to lean on when he needed it, and to see that it really worked. We will have no qualms letting our next son go with Sport Lived. We would highly recommend the Sport Lived programme to any keen sportsmen. The key benefits that we saw were: 1 the provision of excellent accommodation in a central location with all the bills (except phone) included – no hidden extras – Charlie needed to earn approximately £100 a week to live on which he managed easily doing a number of part time jobs over the course of his 6 months; 2 a ready made social life to get started with – other like minded sports lovers in the same block of flats – no sense of isolation or loneliness in the first weeks in a foreign city far from home; 3 a local programme co-ordinator to help with the setting up of bank accounts, tax registration and job hunting as well as orientation in the city – a definite plus in the early weeks before they find their feet; 4 good club contacts – the placement was all set up - Charlie was welcomed by his club and made to feel at home straight away. Charlie has been transformed by his 6 months in Australia from a schoolboy into a responsible independent adult. An experience he will never forget – and a place to which he will surely return to meet up with his many new friends”

Leonie Cooke, Parent of Charlie Cooke, Cricket in Melbourne 2007/08

“Sport Lived have provided a first class service right from our initial enquiry when Ian came to Bristol to meet us and answer our questions, to meeting Ed's mentor in Brisbane.  We would, without reservation, recommend Sport Lived. The programme in which Ed has participated has been thoroughly researched and implemented and Ed is having an amazing time. Everyone in the team has supported him and gone above and beyond to make his Australian experience one to remember.”

Philip & Carole Tellwright, Parents of Ed Tellwright, Rugby Academy in Brisbane