Sports Academies Abroad

Take a sports gap year and join one of Real Sport Experience's different sports academies abroad.

Sports academies abroad allow you to travel the world and also improve your skills in a specific sport at the same time. Academies in sport abroad are a growing way to spend your gap year or career break, with more and more people considering sports and health development as important as personal education. They are also another way to broaden your horizons and possibly give you the opportunity for a career in sport.

Why join a sports academy abroad?

The main reason to go to a sports academy is to dedicate your time to sports training abroad, something that most keen sportsman do not have the opportunity to do. However, many sports academies abroad are open to applications from people of all abilities, meaning that you can join an academy to learn or develop sports skills.

Real Sport Experience has developed a number of sporting academies and institutions in order to help you through sports development abroad. The academy programmes are offered in a number of different sports - cricket, football, rugby, tennis, golf and even Martial Arts.

To learn more about sports academies abroad, use the following links:

Bali Surf Retreat Relax on the beautiful island of Bali. Learn to surf, practise yoga and let your muscles melt under a Balinese massage. Visit Monkey Forest, the Elephant Cave and watch the sun set over Tanah Lot Temple. Martial Arts Academy China Master the basics of traditional Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Praying Mantis Fist, Xingyi or Baji. After a few weeks, you should be able to break a brick in half with your bare hands! Thai Boxing and Culture Learn the techniques of Muay Thai, discover the culture and language, visit a temple, meditate with Buddhist monks, and lounge on the famous Thai beaches. An excellent, unusual introduction to Thailand, with various project lengths available. Australia Cricket Academy Sign up to the academy in Sydney and receive training from former internationals, plus the chance to play for local teams. Other activities are included and, because of the programme’s timing, you’ll experience Sydney’s famous New Year celebrations. Brazil Beginner Rock Climbing Course Complete novices can learn and test their skills above one of the world’s most spectacular cities, Rio de Janeiro. You’ll have the chance to climb Sugar Mountain and to explore the sights in your free time. Brazil Martial Arts Experience Learn capoeira, jiu-jitsu and Portuguese while living just minutes from Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro. Visit a samba school, sunbathe on the beach or admire the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in your free time. Costa Rica Water Sports Adventure An action-packed, adrenaline-pumping holiday that will have you kite surfing, learning Spanish, white water rafting, cooking traditional dishes, surfing, dancing the Latino way and more – all amid seriously spectacular scenery! Cricket Academies New Zealand Learn cricket from the very best in sunny New Zealand, where you’ll follow a personal programme. They’ll be plenty of chances to play in matches and access to training facilities in your free time. Football Academy Brazil Hone your skills in the Real Sport football academy, run by former World Cup defender, Jose Oscar Bernardi. Focus areas include passing, dribbling and finishing. Plus, you’ll get a unique insight into the Brazilian passion for football. Golf Training Academy Australia Perfect your swing on Australia’s Gold Coast, where you’ll be taught by professionally accredited instructors on top courses, in unBritish weather! Golfers of any standard are welcome and there are ample opportunities to try other outdoor sports. Japan Ski and Snowboard CSI Course Spend 4 weeks in the powder heaven that is Niseko and train for the skiing or snowboard Certificate in Snow-sports Instruction. With your NZSIA/SBINZ CSI Qualification, you will be able to instruct level 1 and 2 beginners and work in resorts in New Zealand and other areas of the world like the US. Rugby Academy New Zealand Improve your individual and team performances. Experienced coaches, innovative training techniques and a dedicated academy in the home of the All Blacks make it the ideal gap year for any rugby fan! Rugby Academy South Africa Eat, drink and breathe rugby in a country the holds it in the highest regard. You’ll develop all aspects of your game, and have the chance to play for a local university or villagers’ club. Scuba Diving Videography Thailand Dive around Koh Tao, develop your media skills and earn money! You’ll be taught to record, edit and produce DVDs of the dive centre’s customers, and then to sell them to the customers. South Africa Cricket Academy Cape Town Improve your cricket and get paid to coach others. Work on your fitness and skills at the academy, with help from past and present cricket stars, and earn some cash by running sessions for school children. Tennis Academy Australia Improve your tennis stroke on Australia’s Gold Coast. Learn at an academy that pays great attention to detail, and focuses on everything from developing your own style, anticipating opponents’ moves and mental preparation. Perfect for tennis enthusiasts! Thailand Scuba Diving Courses Choose a diving programme to suit you and learn or hone your skills in Thailand’s beautiful blue waters. Take the instructor programme and gain the necessary qualifications to work in a scuba diving centre.