Trips

Trips

A group of up to 18 young Scottish footballers (ideally 50/50 boys and girls) PLUS 6 experienced youth team coaches.

These trips will run 3 times each year:

  • Mid-June (end of S5)

  • June/July (end of S5)

  • Mid-October (start of S6)

The players will assist the coaches, helping to set up and demonstrate the football sessions, and integrate with the young Rwandan players

“As an Academy coach, I was really impressed with how professionally everything was run, from the planning and logistics to the way the coaching sessions and community visits were delivered. It was a great reminder that coaching isn’t just about tactics and drills. Being in a completely different environment, with limited resources and a language barrier, pushed me to adapt, be creative, and focus on the basics of connection and communication.

It also reminded me of the community spirit and connection that football creates.

Trips like this are so valuable for coaches. You grow massively, both in how you coach and how you see the world. It challenges you in the best way and gives you a fresh perspective on the impact football can have beyond just the game. I’d honestly encourage any coach to get involved in something like this. You help others, but you also come back better at what you do, and with a new sense of purpose.

Another unexpected bonus was the friendships and connections I made with the other coaches, kids and staff who travelled over with the group. Sharing the experience with like-minded people, who are just as passionate about football and giving back, created a real bond. We learned a lot from each other, supported one another, and came away as a team, not just a group of individuals. That sense of camaraderie made the whole trip even more special.

Of course, it wasn’t all serious, there were plenty of laughs and some brilliant nights along the way. Whether it was sharing stories over dinner, singing karaoke, playing cards after a long day, or just soaking up the atmosphere together, those moments helped build real friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. It was a perfect balance of purpose, perspective, and pure enjoyment, and I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of it” Clare Docherty, Ayr Utd Academy

“The trip was a life changing experience for all of us. The Rwandan kids were always so cheerful regardless of their situation, and their reaction to us was superb. Everyone treated us like their own, and it definitely showed us all how much we take for granted” Youth player, June 25

“Rwanda wasn’t as basic as I expected. Yes, we saw real poverty, but nothing that made me feel uncomfortable - and the guest house and food were brilliant!” Youth player, June 25

“After being home for a couple of days and taking time to process everything, i would just like to say a massive thank you for the opportunity to go to Rwanda. I can now say the experience has been life changing and i’m so grateful for you, Mark and the rest of the gang for making the full 10 days the best days of my life. I would absolutely love to go back one day as i’m now thinking I might take a gap year and travelling/volunteering in Rwanda would be a dream. THANKS again, I had the best time !!” Youth player, June 25

The basic details

Below are the main things you need to know about our trips…

Itinerary

  • Afternoons are for football, delivering a training sessions for either:

    • An U15 or U17 Youth squad from a Rwanda Premier football club such as Rayon Sports or AS Kigali, or a High school or Village team in Karongi District;

    • Kids from a community project, charity or primary school, which can be a bit more chaotic/fun

  • Mornings are for discovering Rwanda’s history and culture. We’ll visit genocide memorials, and spend time at schools and community projects such as Batsinda Street Rescue centre

  • If possible we’ll also take in a Premier League match

  • 4 days are spent in the capital, Kigali. The rest are in the Western District Of Karongi, where our Academy is based

Costs and admin

  • We ask each volunteer (youth or coach) to fundraise and donate approx £2,250, which can be donated over a period of months before the trip.

  • This amount includes £250 that will be 100% passed on by us directly to our projects in Rwanda. The rest of your donation covers the cost of sending a volunteer (travel, accommodation, food etc)

  • We will organise your travel - flights, accommodation, meals (excluding alcohol), travel around Rwanda and entrance to genocide memorials etc. Your group will be accompanied by a charity rep who will be your trip manager and guide

  • Individual travel Insurance, entry visas and vaccinations are not included and are the responsibility of each volunteer to organise for themselves before the trip

  • Any gift aid that the charity claims from donations will be used to fund our projects in Rwanda, cover any running costs and to build up a small reserve fund (as recommended by OSCR) for emergencies

  • Our Scottish team are all volunteers - no salary or expenses - though we do pay our Rwandan guides, coaches and translator

Future trips….

October ‘25 - 2008/09 youth players…fully allocated

13-23 June ‘26 - 2008/09…some available

23 Jun - 3 Jul ‘26 - 2008/09…players fully allocated. Coach spaces available

10-20 Oct ‘26 - 2008/09…available

June ‘27 - 2009/10

October ‘27 - 2009/10

June ‘28 - 2010/11

Please get in touch if you are interested in any of these future trips carey@rwandafootball.org

June ‘25

Our first trip specifically for youth players, and a fantastic success. 16x 17-year olds, with a 50/50 male/female split, and 5 experienced coaches. Highlights included:

  • Connecting 4 sectors in the Karongi District with SPFL clubs Dundee United, Hearts, Hamilton, Hibs and Spartans

  • A session at Rubengera, which will be the base for the Karongi Football Academy

Past trips…

November ‘24

A smaller trip organised at short notice for the Scottish FA, who had agreed to deliver 1.1 and 1.2 coach education to Rwandan coaches in Kigali. Joined by new clubs Rosyth and Salveson, as well as sponsors Saltire Roofing

Highlight of the trip included:

  • Seeing the new pitch at Bisesero, which had just been seeded

  • A plaque presented by Hearts FC to the newly renamed Bisesero Hearts FC!

  • Delivering training sessions for Mens Div 2 sides La Juennes FC (who top the league and were donated a full set of Hearts training kit) and Esperance FC

February ‘24

Several new clubs joined us in Feb 24. Highlights of this trip included:

  • Linking up with a kids football club in the Gikondo area of our guest house - Galactique

  • Seeing the first stages of the pitch project at Bisesero underway

  • Coaching sessions with Div 2 club La Jeunnes FC and Div 2 Womens Club Forever Women

  • Getting a pitch level sneak previw of the new national stadium

October 2022

Hearts returned to Rwanda in October 2022, along with the Scottish FA. Grass roots were represented by Tranent Colts, Spartans, Musselburgh Windsor, Gala Fairydean, Dalkeith Thistle, Currie FC and Gullane Athletic

Click here to see the full gallery from Oct ‘22

2020

Supported (with funds)

Faith & Hope School, Gako Village, Bugesera

Batsinda ex-street children, Kigali

Supported Needs School, Kigali

Supported (with kit & equipment)

Bisesero School

Good News Rwanda

2016

The original trip organised by Mark Fleming, with Tranent Colts