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Play the season in australia

Football: Play the season in Australia

Duration: 25 weeks

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Overview

Playing football in Australia

Working overseas

Social life

Reviews

Your pad

FAQs

A week in the life

Prices & dates

Overview

Experience football Aussie style! With our Play the Season programme you’ll play, train and party all season long with an Australian football club. Plus, you’ll enjoy shared accommodation at the heart of a great city, and make friends for life along the way...

Recommended for:

Living like an Aussie, all season long
Improving your game in a club environment
Exploring Oz with new mates
Boosting your CV and earning extra cash

At a glance:

Hand picked Australian football club
Regular matches, training & social events
Shared accommodation
24/7 mentor support throughout your stay

Sporting adventures

The Season allows you to spend 6 months living, working and playing football in Australia. You’ll have loads of time to make strong friendships and become fully integrated into Aussie life.

You will be located in the amazing city of Melbourne and placed with a football club that suits your sporting ability and personality! Our centrally located accommodation puts you at the heart of the city, so get ready to enjoy the freedom and excitement of life in Australia with a group of new mates.

FAQs

1. What type of visa do I need?

Australian Working Holiday Visa

If you would like to obtain paid work during your programme 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.

Australian Tourist Visa

If you don’t want to work in Australia you can get an Australian Tourist Visa.

For more information see the Travel & Visa section in the Need to Know area of our site.

2. Do I need to be an elite player?

Absolutely not! We cater for players of all abilities. We will obtain further information on your sporting ability once you have submitted your booking form. This will allow us to match you with a suitable club.

3. How can I find out more general information?

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.

Working overseas

You’ll have plenty of spare time between training and competing if you’d like to get a job. As well as enhancing your CV and boosting your bank balance, working overseas will help you meet new people and provide more structure to your time away.

Top tips for getting work:

Plan the type of work you'd like to obtain
Try to gain relevant work experience
Prepare a CV and have two references
Be proactive & persistent in job hunting

Employment options:

Café/bar work: sociable environment
Office work: good rates of pay
Coaching: fulfilling and well paid
Work experience: boost your CV

Working in Australia

You’ll be living close to lots of employment options like offices, shops, bars and restaurants. Contacts at your sport club might also help you to find coaching work.

In addition, your mentor will provide guidance on working in Australia but you should ensure you’re well prepared as the job market can be as competitive as the sports arena!

Playing football in Australia

We have links with a wide range of fantastic Australian football clubs who’ll welcome you as a new member. Get ready for plenty of banter - the Aussies love to have a laugh with their new Pommey team mates!

Club structure

Australian football clubs tend to have lots of teams, between 5-10 men’s teams, plus several ladies’ teams. The top team at each club will compete in the highest state leagues, a standard roughly equivalent to higher non-league levels in the UK.

Matches and training

Most clubs train 2-3 times a week and play matches a least once a week.
There are optional gym and fitness sessions and some clubs offer free or discounted gym membership

Off the pitch

With so many members, your club will be a hive of social activity. There’ll be drinks after training and matches, plus social events throughout the season - new players’ night, pub crawls and an end of season dinner. Many clubs also arrange pre-season tours, a great chance to get to know your teammates whilst exploring a new part of Oz.

Football development

Our clubs are selected for their high quality coaching and facilities, helping you to return home as a much improved player. If your performances are noted, you could also find yourself selected for a State representative squad – highly prestigious!

…and finally

What are you waiting for? Get out there and show the Aussies how it’s done!

Reviews

TOM GRIFFIN – FOOTBALL PLAY THE SEASON AUSTRALIA

What was the highlight of your Sport Lived experience?

Being able to experience all that Sydney had to offer, ranging from the nightlife, to sightseeing, through to playing sport in some incredible surroundings. If I had to pick one highlight it would be climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, absolutely breathtaking!

Do you think your Sport Lived experience has changed you as a person? If so, how?

Very much so, I am more independent and have matured as a person. Being away from home gave me working opportunities to enhance my CV and personal maturity.

What tips would you give to future Sport Lived participants?

Take every opportunity that comes your way, be it sport, nights out, travel opportunities, there is never a dull moment with the Sport Lived experience

Why should someone choose Sport Lived?

It is an incredible opportunity to see the world and play sport. You meet unique people and experience new cultures and different ways of life.

How have you improved as a player / coach?

I was able to gain valuable knowledge from the coaches out there in regards to playing and coaching. The training sessions were intense and very productive, and I benefitted greatly. In regards to coaching and working, I was able to learn new techniques which I have brought back to England with great success.

…and finally, in a single sentence, I’m glad I went on a Sport Lived programme because

It was the opportunity of a life time, it incorporated two great passions of mine, playing sport and travelling.

Your pad

STANDARD ACCOMMODATION
PREMIUM ACCOMMODATION

STANDARD ACCOMMODATION

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 sports club, as well as giving you the chance to try out all the bars, clubs and restaurants in the city centre.

At a glance:

Top quality hostel accommodation
Located close to transport and nightlife
Shared with Sport Lived participants
Meet travellers from around the world

Your place in Australia...

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.

Bedroom

Kitchen

Bathroom

Dining area

Kitchen

Bedroom

Dining area

Bathroom

Dining area

Bedroom

Kitchen

Bathroom

Bedroom

Kitchen

Dining area

PREMIUM ACCOMMODATION

Choose our Premium Accommodation in Australia and you’ll live in a 4 star apartment in the centre of town. Your club 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 apartments

At a glance:

4-star fully furnished apartments
Located close to transport and nightlife
Shared with Sport Lived participants
Relax! Most bills are included

Home from home...

Apartments 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.

Apartment kitchen

Apartment living room

Apartment lounge diner

Premium accommodation

Apartment kitchen

Apartment lounge

Apartment lounge and diner

Apartment lounge diner

Apartment kitchen

Apartment living room

Premium accommodation

A week in the life...

...of Richard Moyes who played football in Australia for a season. Richard lived in 4 star apartments 20 minutes walk from the Opera House and played for one of the top football clubs in Sydney.

Monday

Hit the gym this morning for a session focused on strength training. Grab some lunch and a coffee with a mate at a café down the road from our apartment. Spend the afternoon relaxing before evening training.

Tuesday

Early shift at work (a local café) from 7.30am-1.30pm. Then I hit the city centre shops for some new jeans. Evening football training focused on skill and fitness work – tough session! Sports massage after training and spaghetti bolognaise for dinner to top up my carb intake!

Wednesday

Another early shift at the café. Hit the gym in the afternoon before catching the bus to watch Sydney FC train at Sydney Football Stadium. Takeaway dinner on the way home - not so great for the body! Sport Lived movie night - we watched the new Transformers film, loved it!

Thursday

Yet another early shift at work. In the afternoon we have a fitness session followed by recovery in the pool. Another training session in the evening focused on skills and tactics. Head out for dinner and a few drinks at Darling Harbour with a couple of boys from the club.

Friday

Sport Lived crew 10 pin bowling get-together. 4 strikes and a score of 145, not bad! Afternoon spent sending emails back to the UK. Watch Sydney FC in an A-League Match in the evening and Sydney won for once!

Saturday

Getting prepared for the game with a 20 minute walk and stretching session listening to ipod tunes. Afternoon match is a 2-1 victory, sealed in the 82nd minute. There’s an after match function and night on the tiles with the lads in town.

Sunday

Trip up to Central Coast on the train for a day out at the beach with the Sport Lived crew. Mid morning start certainly wasn’t easy, but once we got to the beach it was worth it!

Prices and dates...

Location
Duration
From
To
Price

Melbourne
25 weeks
26/03/2012
16/09/2012
Standard
£ 5695

Melbourne
25 weeks
26/03/2012
16/09/2012
Premium
£ 8295

Melbourne
25 weeks
25/03/2013
15/09/2013
Standard
£ 5995

Melbourne
25 weeks
25/03/2013
15/09/2013
Premium
£ 8795

Australia

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.

Australia highlights:

Watch a magical sunrise over Ayers Rock
Catch a cricket match at the MCG
Dive the Great Barrier Reef
Learn to surf at Bondi Beach

Choose your destination city...

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.

Sport Lived in Brisbane

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.

The weather in Brisbane today is...

Your mentor recommends:

Head to the Gold Coast for a surfing lesson
Enjoy the city centre beach at South Bank
Visit the city's riverfront bars & restaurants
Check out Queensland's beautiful islands

Ed, Ali, and Barney at the Gold Coast

Sport Lived social for the Rugby Academy players in Brisbane

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.

Sport Lived in Melbourne

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.

The weather in Melbourne today is...

Your mentor recommends:

Catch the Boxing Day Test Match
Take a trip along the Great Ocean Road
Have a picnic in the Royal Botanic Gardens
Check out South Yarra's shops and cafés

Sport Lived participants playing golf in Melbourne

Girls night out in Melbourne

Team mates enjoying dinner in Melbourne

St. Patricks night in Melbourne

Clubbing in Melbourne

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.

Book now

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