Sport Development Internship in the Arabian Peninsula

Imagine yourself living and working in the Middle East, immersed in 5,000 years of Arab history combined with a modern, cosmopolitan atmosphere. Explore your role in a global story alongside other Jesus followers, seeking to display God’s love in every profession and place.

OM and InterVarsity are partnering to make global, professional internships available in dynamic city hubs for summer 2026. All students are welcome (not exclusive to InterVarsity) and will experience the values and support of both OM and InterVarsity in their internship cohort and throughout their journey. 

The Sport Development Intern will work side-by-side with the founders of their host country’s first pickleball club in a multi-sport facility.  This dynamic venue is introducing the fastest-growing sport in the world to the local community, promoting physical and mental wellness, and creating natural opportunities for gospel-centered relationships.

This hands-on internship is perfect for a passionate, flexible individual who loves pickleball (or is willing to be convinced!) and is eager to help with a wide variety of tasks: marketing, coaching, photography, social media, court operations, community outreach, and general business development. The intern in this role will help research and implement new strategies to grow the club, help organize events, train local coaches and learn from them, and help develop new marketing strategies for coaching programs.

The Arabian Peninsula is a region in the Middle East known for its rich cultural heritage, ancient trade routes, and modern cities that serve as global hubs for innovation and commerce. It’s a setting where religion is present in every aspect of life—yet few people know the love and hope of Jesus.

Responsibilities may include:

• Helping develop and promote pickleball events and programs (clinics, leagues, tournaments, open-play nights, corporate team-building, and family days), including stakeholder outreach, invitation design, and community engagement.
• Assisting with daily court operations and event logistics: court setup, equipment management, scheduling, and maintaining a welcoming environment.
• Creating promotional materials (photos, videos, flyers, name tags, welcome packets, tournament brackets).
• Growing the player base through social media management, on-site photography/videography, local marketing campaigns, and building relationships with schools, hotels, expat groups, and the local community.
• Leading or assisting with beginner clinics, youth programs, ladies’ nights, and special outreach events (skills and interest permitting).
• Supporting wellness-focused initiatives that combine pickleball with mental-health and community-building themes.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Follower of Jesus, passionate about making a positive impact in the world, motivated to build relationships with people of other cultures
• Flexible, self-motivated, self-starter
• Background or interest in sports management, recreation, business administration, marketing/communications, coaching, or hospitality, Human Kinetics, Kinesiology, Sport Development, recreation and leisure, or a related field
• Interest and experience in the sport of pickleball considered a strong plus
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal skills and a professional demeanor
• Ability to stay calm and problem-solve under pressure (especially when the courts are full!).
• Proficiency with social media platforms like Instagram, Canva, Adobe, etc. are a plus.
• Experience traveling and living internationally a plus
   

Highlights shared by former interns: 

• Gained real-world experience working on projects that matter.
• Found a community that genuinely cares about growth and faith.
• Discovered confidence through mentorship, collaboration, and creative freedom.
• Supportive office culture with shared meals, weekly games, time off, book allowances, and incentives for team engagement and creativity.

Why consider this internship?

• An international internship combines the benefits of a traditional internship (skill and resume improvement, employment connections) with the benefits of study abroad (cultural immersion)—and doing it through OM and InterVarsity means you will also experience the benefits of mission-driven discipleship connected to global Christian community.
• Our interns on average rate their work experience as a 9/10 in terms of doing meaningful work, receiving specific encouragement, and being prepared in their work. OM was chosen as a Handshake Early Talent Award recipient because of our mission-driven approach to internships and our high level of manager investment and care.
• 2 out of 3 of our interns say they would consider working for their host team, organization, or business in the future—and 2 out of 3 of our managers say they would hire their intern for a similar job.
• To learn more, check out our intern stories, FAQs, and testimonials on our internship website and Handshake employer profile.

Additional information:

• All interns must be in full agreement OM USA’s Statement of Faith.
• Internships begin in mid-May and go through July, and program includes an orientation and debriefing with your internship cohort and OM and InterVarsity staff.
• This is an unpaid internship (like the vast majority of international internships, especially with nonprofits and small businesses). Travel, program, and living costs must be covered by the intern, either personally or through fundraising, financial aid, or scholarships you find. We work hard to keep these costs to a minimum so that these internships are accessible to everyone, and you may fundraise to cover most of those costs. If you are invited into the cohort, you will need to provide a deposit (applied toward your total costs) to secure your spot.
• Internship credit could be available upon the approval of your university/college administration. May qualify for other degree or course requirements, such as practicum or observation hours; check with your advisor.
• Application deadline is February 20, 2026, but cohort may fill sooner.