Description

Soccer is the national sport in Ghana. Given the 'Black Stars' - the Ghanaian team successful performance in the 2010 World Cup, soccer in Ghana can only continue to get bigger and better. Soccer is everywhere in Ghana! From the numerous soccer flags on cars, stickers in taxis, locals in jerseys and kids playing in the street, it is immediately apparent that Ghanaians are extremely passionate about soccer.

Our volunteer soccer projects in Ghana provide an opportunity for all young players to develop their basic skills and techniques with the hope that some may achieve the success of Premiership stars Michael Essien or Stephen Appiah. There will also be the opportunity to see one of Ghana's many top division club teams like Kotoko and Hearts of Oak in action. Volunteers sometimes take young players to games to help with their soccer development and to provide a well-earned break from their sports coaching.

In pioneering this new project, Projects Abroad soccer volunteers receive professional coaching in the techniques of coaching and training a team. Volunteers in Ghana will practice in the mornings with a local soccer team and in the afternoons will work with a youth team, giving them the benefit of your newly acquired coaching knowledge and skills. Please see the schedule below.

This project is a fantastic chance to improve your skills and ability while also helping local children to develop their game. If you are good enough, you may even be selected to play for one of the local second division teams!

Volunteers with more experience, those holding a Soccer Association Coaching certificate for example, will be able to get involved in the coaching from day one. You will still be able to benefit from our support and guidance, and get the chance to compete for selection to a local Ghanaian team!

Rugby is an emerging sport in Ghana, with many Ghanaians now discovering its attractions. But up until now, it is a sport which has barely penetrated Africa, other than in the far south of the continent.

Volunteers in Ghana will have the chance to coach rugby in schools in and around Cape Coast. We are working alongside George Avoola Ladipo, the coach of the Junior National Rugby team, to help develop the sport in all of the Cape Coast Region. George is a qualified coach who is eager to pass on some of his coaching skills and experience to willing volunteers who want to help him bring Rugby to Ghana.

Practices at the rugby placements can sometimes have as many as 50 children, so any help volunteers in Ghana can provide George is very welcome. Even if volunteers assist simply with setting up drills and general organization, it will give George the opportunity to focus more on the individual aspects of the game. Once you become more confident you can get more involved in the sports coaching side of things, and even lead sessions if you wish.

Basketball has often been forced to take a backseat in Ghana, due to the nations obsession with soccer. In recent years, however, basketball in Ghana has been on the rise. This is especially evident in the capital of Ghana, Accra, where many new courts have been built, increasing peoples curiosity about basketball.

You can get involved by volunteering abroad as a basketball coach on one of our sports placements. Projects Abroad works with two basketball clubs based in Accra. At one placement volunteers work with children aged from 6 to 17 years old. The other placementis with adults.

Basketball teams in Ghana practice from Monday through Friday with games mainly being arranged on Saturday mornings. Like other sports in Ghana, basketball practice is usually left until later in the afternoon once the heat has died down. To coach basketball in Ghana you do not need to have coaching experience, just a good understanding of the game and an enthusiasm to get involved.

Community Sports projects are a great tool for helping the development of children from disadvantaged areas. All volunteers are welcome on these projects, whether you join the during a gap year, over summer vacation, or as part of a career break. In Ghana our project combines aspects of sports, education, and social care.

Volunteers work in Cape Coast on a children's sports project. You will provide soccer and physical education training for girls and boys who wouldn't normally get the chance to play sports. Your presence alone will bring more children out to take part in the activities.

Highlights

In the afternoons during your time coaching soccer, you will be responsible for the development of young players basic skills and techniques. You will co-ordinate and plan coaching sessions around topics such as development of ball control, accurate passing, keeping possession and moving into space. Furthermore you will help your supervisor - usually the team's part-time manager - to plan game strategies and lead scrimmages. You will probably be asked to assist in team selection and may even be required to be 'on the bench' for weekend or evening games.

Volunteer coaches working on our rugby project in Ghana will shadow George on a daily basis, helping with all elements of coaching within a selection of schools in the area. You will help with fitness training, ball work, skills sessions and explaining the rules to children who are much more familiar with soccer! You also assist with the organization of rugby games between the various schools, and help with the development of a league system.

This is a great opportunity for anyone passionate about rugby to get involved in its development in a country where it is in its infancy. You will be able to pass your enthusiasm for Rugby on to a new generation of youngsters and - who knows in a few years time you may even find that you have been coaching members of the first national Ghanaian Rugby team!

At first glance, basketball seems to rely quite heavily on its participants being physically fit. While this is true, people who have never been taught the strategy of the game don't realize how much the game is also about tactics. This is where volunteer basketball coaches in Ghana can really help; by introducing simple training methods you can lay the foundations for the children's progression.

Practice consists of fitness sessions, accurate passing drills, one-on-one and zone marking sessions, plus team structure and strategy sessions. Depending on your own previous basketball experience and knowledge of the sport, you will be able to lead coaching sessions or support others. Whatever role you can play you will be making a difference and you will be appreciated by your colleagues and students.

Having eager and able athletes who are willing to learn is every coach's dream. Whatever your level of involvement, this is a great opportunity to play your part in the development of Ghana's next big game!

The Alliance for Youth Sports Development project was started in 2010 by Projects Abroad volunteers and local community members with the aim of getting children off the streets and into a safe place in the afternoons. Asebu is located just outside Cape Coast on the south coast of Ghana and is considerably less developed than Cape Coast itself.

In addition to the daily sporting activities, volunteers do social presentations every Friday on various topics like child labor, malaria, personal hygiene, STDs, teen pregnancy, and HIV. Volunteers also visit the children at their homes and speak to the families about their behavior, school grades, etc.

The project needs volunteers with skills in physical education, coaching, leadership, and discipline, and would welcome any volunteers with youth counseling experience. You can combine sports with weekly sessions to discuss social issues relative to the needs of the children. As this project is mainly in the afternoons, it is best combined with another project like Teaching or Care.

Qualifications

No qualifications or experience are necessary.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

please go to our website for prices.

Cost Includes:

• Housing
• Food
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical services
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Food, Accommodation, in-country Transportation, Travel & Medical Insurance, Constant Support of Full-Time Staff.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Sports
• Youth Development

Typical Volunteer

Open-minded with a desire to travel.

Age Range

16-70

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

10 days

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement

As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded

1992