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TESTIMONIALS
We pride ourselves on offering a high-quality, trusted services, with a network built over years of research and working relationships. This ensures you have the best and safest experience. But don't just take our word for it, take a look at what our ambassadors have to say here...
MATTHEW, CRICKET (WAIKATO)
FRED LANSON, RUGBY ACADEMY (SOUTH AFRICA)
"Matthew's last week in New Zealand marked the end of a successful season with University Stars in Hamilton, finishing with a three-day final at Seddon Park. While it wasn't the result he had hoped for, it's been a fantastic experience and an incredible opportunity. A huge thank you for making this dream a reality and delivering such a brilliant gap year experience. It also gave us the perfect excuse to visit New Zealand - what an amazing trip!"
"My time in South Africa was an amazing experience that helped me develop both personally and as a player. The high level of rugby pushed me outside of my comfort zone and helped me develop resilience and discipline. On top of that I met some great people, experienced a completely different culture and made memories that I will take with me for a long time. I would definitely recommend the experience to anyone looking for a challenge and an opportunity to grow, both on and off the pitch."
ARCHIE CLARKE, RUGBY ACADEMY (SCOTLAND U20'S)
"I chose to do my gap year with Alex and Sporting Gap Years and would definetely recommend the same to anyone who is looking for a once in a lifetime experience to play the sport that they love in an amazing part of the world. I chose to play rugby out in New Zealand and it was a great decision for my career. I was able to play a high level of rugby at the same time as experiencing a professional lifestyle and exploring an incredible country. It allowed me to hit the ground running at university rugby and has opened a lot of doors to the opportunities I have been able to experience recently. Alex took great care of me and went to great lengths to ensure I had the best few months of my life"
LOUIS INMAN, RUGBY ACADEMY (TAURANGA)
"I recommend Alex and Sporting Gap Years to anyone whose looking to have a once in a lifetime opportunity - to be able to play the sport they love and travel & experience the world. I am currently experiencing my sporting gay year in New Zealand, its truly the best decision I have made for my sporting career. By doing this I am developing my game, playing a high standard of rugby, but also I get to explore a great country with so much to offer. Alex and Sporting Gap Years have taken great care of me and gone to great measures to ensure I was set on my travels and experience this great moment of my life before I go off to university"
JAMIE ADAMSON (SYDNEY)
" I just want to give a huge shout out to Sporting Gap Years and the work they're doing. Giving players opportunities to go overseas and play the sport they love and gain massive life experience. I myself came to Sydney to play club rugby. Played a season with Eastern Suburbs in the Shute Shield and then ultimately got picked up by the Waratahs and signed for the season. To all players considering going overseas and thinking of making the jump I'd recommend going through Sporting Gap Years who can help get everything sorted so you get go out and enjoy the experience""
FITZ HARDING (BRISTOL BEARS CAPTAIN)
" Just a massive shout out to Sporting Gap Years they are doing a great job helping players continue with their sporting journeys past school. I didn't actually get the opportunity to do a gap year but would have loved to do it. I went to university after school without really having a chance to play professional sport and those extra years of university under the tuition of Alex game me the opportunity to pursue a professional career afterwards so that extra time, that experience, that game time is really crucial for young players and I think it's a great programme SGY have set up."
JOSH BEAUMONT, SALE SHARKS
"Sporting Gap Years is a brilliant concept for aspirational rugby players who are wanting to mix new experiences both on and off the rugby field and is something I would have definitely done post University if I hadn't gone straight into the professional game. For me, there is no better person than Alex to facilitate this, given his vast experience in the game (and many tours!). Alex has a fantastic understanding of what suits best for developing rugby players and I have no doubt it will be a fantastic experience for those involved".
HEATHER KERR, WASPS & ENGLAND PLAYER
"During my time at university I was fortunate enough to go to Cape Town to work at Stellenbosch University. It took me a while to make the right contacts to play rugby out there, but I eventually got the opportunity to play for Union Milternon and Western Province. Playing abroad was an amazing experience and there's nothing quite like living and training with a new team. I wish I'd had a programme like this for me before I went over. For young athletes to have an easy way to take a year out in a new country and experience what Alex and his team can offer, its great"
FRED DAVIES, BRISTOL BEARS PLAYER
"I was lucky enough to spend my gap year playing in Sydney’s Shute Shield competition. The experience was life changing and certainly shaped not only my career in rugby but also my formative adult years. Sporting Gap Years provides unique opportunities for aspirational sportspeople to test themselves and grow in a different environment. The knowledge and experience Alex has in the game makes him the ideal person to facilitate such opportunities. His network within rugby adds a level of security and his mentorship is invaluable."
ROB EVANS, WALES INTERNATIONAL EX-PLAYER
"I had the awesome opportunity to visit Durban and be invited to spend a few months at the academy in South Africa was such an unbelievable experience for me, with me aspiring to be a professional rugby player and have a career doing what I loved, it definitely helped me with the best experience I gained, training with the professional rugby academy, seeing and speaking to current professional rugby players and also watching springboks matches against the all blacks and lions, it was such an exciting and eye opening experience on what it takes to become a professional rugby player and it definitely helped me with my success in my career."