- Earning money through paid coaching
- Developing your coaching skills
- A first hand taste of Aussie lifestyle
- Time to explore Australia


This is a great chance to pass on your knowledge and enthusiasm to junior cricketers in Australia. You’ll earn cash and gain loads of experience working with a team of mini Aussies.
You’ll live and work alongside other participants, so look forward to making lots of new friends and influencing the next generation of Australian cricket stars.

Our programmes in Melbourne offer a great opportunity to develop your coaching skills, help youngsters improve their cricket and earn a few Aussie dollars. During the placement you will coach cricket to youngsters and can expect between 5 and 10 hours of paid coaching work a week.
You’ll share accommodation in one of Australia’s most vibrant cities. Living with other Sport Lived participants will give you a whole new group of friends whilst you’re overseas.
Australian Working Holiday Visa
In order to undertake a Sport Lived coaching programme in Australia you will need to obtain an Australian Working Holiday Visa. UK citizens aged 18-30 are eligible for an Australian Working Holiday Visa which enables holders to live and work in Australia for up to 12 months. It costs around £150 and can take up to 4 weeks to process so we recommend getting the paperwork sorted well in advance of your departure.
For more information see the Travel & Visa section in the Need to Know area of our site.
No! To guarantee your coaching placement, you should obtain relevant coaching qualifications prior to departure. This will give you the necessary skills to plan and organise coaching sessions.
In addition, gaining practical coaching experience will provide excellent preparation for your programme.
Rates of pay for coaching compare favourably to other forms of casual work in Australia. We can’t guarantee your rates in advance, but you can expect to earn £10-£12 per hour.
Once you have submitted a booking form, we’ll start working behind the scenes to put everything in place for the perfect programme.
Final payment is due 12 weeks prior to departure, and once received we can finalise your programme.
Approximately 4 weeks before the start of your trip we will send details of your new address and flatmates in Oz, and information on the school at which you will be coaching.
Upon arrival in Australia, you’ll meet the Director of Sport at your school. He or she will then assign you to a team and let you know the days and times of your coaching work.
Hopefully, most key pieces of information are available on the website where you can download programme notes, prices and dates. Our Need to Know section also contains lots of useful information. If you have other questions or just want to have a chat, we’re always available either on the phone or via email.
We know that planning a trip overseas can be scary at times and there’s loads to think about. So don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need to discuss anything at all.
You’ll have plenty of time outside your coaching schedule should you wish to find additional work. As well as further boosting your CV and bank balance, finding another job will help you meet more people and provide more structure to your time away.

You will be living close to lots of employment options like offices, shops, bars and restaurants. Your Sport Lived mentor, and contacts made through your coaching placement, will be able to help you find extra work.
So, you’re passionate about cricket and want to share this with youngsters in an exciting overseas environment? With a Sport Lived coaching placement, you can develop your own coaching skills whilst passing your knowledge and enthusiasm on to the next generation.
The only danger - will one of your protégés one day help the Aussies win the Ashes?
Our Australian cricket coaching placements run during the southern hemisphere Summer. Whilst in Australia you’ll be working with a local Aussie school or club cricket team. On average, coaches can expect around 5-10 hours of paid work a week and, if you like, it is often possible to supplement this with umpiring work.
Coaches generally work with a cricket team for an entire school term helping to develop skills and working on match tactics. The structure of our programmes allows you to build a bond with your team and working on their development over a sustained period, which is highly rewarding.
A Sport Lived coaching placement is also a great addition to your CV. You’ll develop organisational, leadership and communication skills. Having taken responsibility for a team of mini Aussies you’ll feel ready for anything!
In order to guarantee your Sport Lived cricket coaching programme, you’ll need to obtain coaching qualifications before you leave. As a minimum you should achieve the ECB Level 1 coaching qualification. We also recommend that you get as much as possible practical coaching experience before your departure.
If you’re unable to obtain a coaching qualification before you join us please let us know. Some schools are happy to employ coaches who just have experience of cricket and working with youngsters.
Further details of how and where to become a qualified coach can be found at the ECB website, and also on the ECB Coaches Association website.

You’ll be living with other Sport Lived participants who are playing and coaching a wide variety of sports. This provides a ready made group of friends for you to get together with and explore life in your chosen Aussie city.

Your programme will begin with introductory drinks during the first week, co-ordinated by your mentor who will also organise monthly social events. These might include a day out at a seasonal sporting event, a traditional Aussie barbie, pub golf, etc.
Choose our Standard Accommodation in Australia and you’ll live in a dorm room in a hostel or lodge. All our Standard pads are centrally located and provide easy access to public transport. This makes it easier to get to your coaching placement, as well as giving you the chance to try out all the bars, clubs and restaurants in the city centre.

You’ll share a dorm room with other Sport Lived participants. You’ll get fully equipped kitchen facilities, a base for your belongings and large comfortable communal areas, so you can catch up with other Sport Lived participants and travellers from around the world.
NB: Illustrative accommodation pictures.
Choose our Premium Accommodation in Australia and you’ll live in a 4 star apartment in the centre of town. Your coaching placement will be easily accessible by public transport and with lots of bars, clubs, restaurants and shops close by there are plenty of places explore.
Four star city centre apartmentsApartments are shared with other Sport Lived participants and include a 24 hour reception plus many mod-cons. Apartments are fully furnished including a TV, linen, kitchen appliances, washing machines, etc. They are also serviced weekly so you can spend your time having fun.
NB: Illustrative accommodation pictures.

The highlight of my Sport Lived experience was making some of my best friends. Going out to Australia, I was a little bit nervous and didn’t really know what to expect, but Sport Lived matched me with coaches on the same programme who I got on with from day one. We all shared an apartment and had a lot of fun and have a lot of funny stories from living together. We still see each other regularly now and they’re some of my closest friends.
Enjoy every minute of it and make the most of your opportunity. Do everything you want to do and just get the most you can out of your time, wherever you are.
It provides a great experience. Having mentors who look after you and set up good coaching experiences takes away the stress of organising it all yourself. All you need to do is to turn up and enjoy it.
It gave me a chance to meet some great friends and provided me with probably four of the best months of my life.
The coaching at my school was amazing, an experience I will never forget!
I think it has taught me a lot about self-sufficiency and organisation. I feel that it forced me to learn how to organise both myself and other possessions, such as money!!!!
Do everything you possibly can do, take up anything that is offered up to you as a coach because you never know where it may lead to!
The trip was slick, well run and an experience that I will never forget. The friends I have made are now lifetime friends from both Melbourne and England and I think if I ever moved I would have no problems fitting in, due to the help I was given from co ordinator Rod Jones.
I do believe my coaching ability has improved. Learning how to apply drills that were relevant and appropriate was brilliant.
it was a once in a lifetime experience and I will never ever forget it!
Watching a stunning sunset on Frankston beach. We decided to spend one lazy Sunday down on the beach as the train fare only cost $1! Frankston beach faces west so it was perfect for watching the stunning colours as the sun set over Port Phillip Bay.
Yes, by helping me become far more independent. I travelled to the other side of the world with people I'd never met before and it definitely matured me.
To have no regrets by the time you finish. If someone asks you to go out with them that night, go! If you get a job offer you're not sure about, take it! This is a once in a lifetime experience so don't hold back!
It is so well organised you barely have to worry about anything. They provide a Programme Co-ordinator and Mentor in your chosen city to help you if you have any problems. Even the owner of the company Ian Dodd visited us to see how we were getting on and came on a night out with us!!
I worked with lots of different players and coaches who shared their knowledge and experience with me. The more people you meet, the more chances you have of learning.
I met some amazing people, visited an amazing place and had an amazing time.

...of Tom Parfett who coached cricket in Melbourne between January and March. Tom worked at one of the best sporting schools in Melbourne where he coached a school team. He also travelled along the Great Ocean Road with his Sport Lived mates.
The week starts with coaching the year 8’s after lunch. The usual session filled full of Aussie/Poms banter. Extremely hot day so later some of the Sport Lived guys take the train to South Melbourne beach.
Being reminded over and over about the Ashes whitewash. Extremely hot day, so once the afternoon at school was over the 3 other guys in my flat took the train to South Melbourne beach about 5 minutes away. We had a couple of hours throwing Greg’s skim ball around in the sea before returning back to our apartment.
Had a good lie-in this morning. Then school called to ask if I could cover the volleyball coach this afternoon – good fun and extra cash! Tuesday night is our usual night in Cheers, the Sport Lived local. Decided to try and walk home and got very lost!
Long net session today which the year 8’s loved, followed by a catching competition. When we got back I realised we had nothing for tea, so without needing much persuasion we walked to the local pizza take-away (not an unusual event I must admit!)
Had a relaxing morning around the apartments including a dip in the swimming pool. Headed to the Thai restaurant for a cheap lunch on the way to work. My team won against one of the rival local schools and I had to umpire and score at the same time but the kids were well-behaved so it was easy.
Day off today so headed into the city on the train, only takes 5 minutes or so. Had a day wandering around the shops buying some T-shirts. Twenty20 game at the MCG tonight: Australia v India. Atmosphere in the city was building and the ground was filled with 96,000 people. Only cost around £5, which is fantastic value.
Managed to get a game of cricket today. We won the toss and batted first. Was good day, as we didn’t have to field in the ridiculous heat - we got to 400 for 7. We had a few beers at the ground before heading back to the apartment and out along Chapel Street.
The morning after a very good night on Chapel Street. Few sore heads around but nothing a bottle of Gatorade won’t solve. Great hangover cure! Head to a city centre park to chill out in the afternoon and catch some rays.
Sun, sea, sand and SPORT! Australia’s sporting prowess is as legendary as the Great Barrier Reef and a Sport Lived programme is your chance to experience both.
Our programmes run to cities across Australia. Click on each city to learn more but be warned, choosing your destination is NOT an easy decision.

Simon heads up the Sport Lived team in Brisbane and is a thoroughbred Queenslander. He’s travelled the world but made Brissy his home, so hear all about his favourite city.
Beautiful one day, perfect the next is the ideal way to describe sunny Queensland. Brisbane is located right at the heart of Queensland and is renowned for its laid-back lifestyle and welcoming atmosphere. It’s hard to go wrong with the tropical climate which leads to long balmy nights spent either on the beach or enjoying a cold drink with friends.
Situated on the magnificent Brisbane River the city is the place to be. It is well known for its bustling night life. Whether you want a couple of drinks in a traditional Australian pub, a night on the dance floor or anything in between, Brisbane has a night spot to suit. Brisbane is very popular among travellers and backpackers as the city is constantly thriving with life.
Brisbane also boasts two of Australia’s best sporting stadiums. The Gabba and Suncorp Stadium host matches of Rugby League, Cricket, Aussie Rules, A League Football, Rugby Union - basically every sport you could wish for!
The city is also just an hour's drive from the stunning Gold Coast, which is known internationally as a popular tourist destination, thanks to its white sandy beaches and crystal clear ocean. Maybe now is the time to take up the opportunity to learn how to surf; or travel up further north to the beautiful rainforests and spectacular waterfalls.
In summary, Brisbane is a fantastic city offering amazing experiences. Your time spent here will be remembered and treasured for life.

Matt has been part of the Sport Lived team in Melbourne for the last few years. Although he was born in the US, he was raised in Melbourne and considers the city home, making him perfectly placed to tell you all about its attractions.
First things first. Whether it be playing professionally, socially with mates, coaching or simply watching on the telly, Melburnians LOVE sport. It doesn't matter where you are - the heart of the city, a country town, or in the suburbs, you will not only find a pub with a TV screen, but also an enthusiastic Aussie crowd to watch the action. In terms of live sport, we have the famous Boxing Day test match, Aussie Open Tennis, Grand Prix and the Melbourne Cup – Australia’s most famous horse race.
But there’s more than sport. Most importantly, the Melbourne people are an incredible bunch. There's a warm, community sense that vibrates through the city. The locals are typically laid back and welcoming. They love to show off their city and will probably insist on taking you out on the town, exchanging slang words and introducing you to their mates.
This city is famous as the home of culture in Australia and has amazing art exhibitions, markets, music and comedy festivals; shopping, nightclubs and trendy bars. Whatever your taste, you'll find places in Melbourne dedicated to people like yourself.


See how our Sport Lived programmes can enhance your career.

Find out about gaining valuable work experience whilst overseas.

Read our top 5 tips on how to get the most out of your Sport Lived experience.


See our range of fully furnished 4-star city centre apartments.

Follow our simple step-by-step booking process to book your place.

Find out about gaining valuable work experience whilst overseas.


See how our Sport Lived programmes can enhance your career.

Find out about gaining valuable work experience whilst overseas.

Read our top 5 tips on how to get the most out of your Sport Lived experience.


See how our Sport Lived programmes can enhance your career.

Find out about gaining valuable work experience whilst overseas.

Read our top 5 tips on how to get the most out of your Sport Lived experience.


See our range of fully furnished 4-star city centre apartments.

Read our top 5 tips on how to get the most out of your Sport Lived experience.

Feeling inspired and ready to take the trip of a lifetime?


See what our Sport Lived participants got up to on their travels.

Follow our simple step-by-step booking process to book your place.

Hear what the parents have to say about the Sport Lived experience.


See what our Sport Lived participants got up to on their travels.

Follow our simple step-by-step booking process to book your place.

Hear what the parents have to say about the Sport Lived experience.


See what our Sport Lived participants got up to on their travels.

Follow our simple step-by-step booking process to book your place.

Hear what the parents have to say about the Sport Lived experience.

See what our Sport Lived participants got up to on their travels.

Follow our simple step-by-step booking process to book your place.

Hear what the parents have to say about the Sport Lived experience.

See what our Sport Lived participants got up to on their travels.

Follow our simple step-by-step booking process to book your place.

Hear what the parents have to say about the Sport Lived experience.