Description

Over the last ten years we have witnessed the emergence of Senegal's national soccer team, with great performances in the African Cup of Nations and recent World Cups. In a nation where less than 30% of children can read and write, soccer can play a big part in the development of young peoples lives. This can be said for all soccer players in Senegal, from street players to youths competing for professional status, aspiring to be the next Aliou Cisse.

Our soccer projects in Senegal work in conjunction with local coaches, to help coach local teams.

The soccer-coaching program is based in and around the island town of St Louis. Training for both skill and fitness on a sandy beach is a regular occurrence, and although this may be a challenge for volunteers in the beginning, they will soon adapt. In the end some even prefer it to grass after all, this is the tropics!

Volunteers coach soccer in Senegal to a number of different age groups under 12s, under 14s and under 17s. The spirit of inclusion can be summed up in the national motto, One people, one goal, one faith. Everyone is invited!

Sports volunteers should combine the Sports project with some time on a Teaching or Care project. Please let us know which option you prefer when you apply.

During your time as a soccer coach in Senegal, you will be responsible for the development of young players basic skills and techniques. You will co-ordinate and plan coaching sessions to develop skills such as ball control, accurate passing, keeping possession and moving into space. Furthermore, you will help your supervisor, usually the teams part-time manager, to plan game strategies and you will lead scrimmages. You will also probably be asked to assist in team selection and to be on the bench for weekend or evening games.

When you get to Senegal, you will be introduced to your team and the manager. Communication is one of the key aspects of sports coaching; therefore it will be important to collaborate on how to structure the coaching program. Don't worry if you have little or no coaching experience; we can provide a specific coaching manual for your sessions, and the manager and his assistants will help you all the way, adding to your ideas. You'll be the foreigner and your very presence will help to make each practice session fun and interesting which is vital to maintaining the enthusiasm of the children.

The Senegalese love sports and are very proud of their fitness and athleticism. As the heat of the day subsides, the sandy streets of St Louis are turned into makeshift basketball courts!

The 2006 World Basketball Championships were not a success for the Senegalese team and saw them finish in last place. However, the national team is now under the professional management of one of the most prominent and powerful persons in the world of African basketball, Amadou Gallo Fall. With his help the team won gold in the 2007 African Championships but came 7th in 2009. In the coming years with the help of our volunteer coaches, basketball in Senegal can hopefully develop further and give the country something else to be proud of!

Highlights

Our basketball coaching program in Senegal allows volunteers to coach basketball abroad to children with a range of sports talents. Projects Abroad is based in a number of different schools within St Louis, where basketball is high on the agenda in sports classes. Volunteers coaching basketball in Senegal will work with children from about 8 to 16 years old.

There are a number of different sports volunteers can also get involved in at the schools in Senegal. Just let us know what interests you. The Sports project should be combined with a Teaching or Care project to make sure you have enough working hours. Please let us know which combination of projects you prefer when you apply.

There are many natural attributes that can help a person when it comes to playing basketball such as speed, strength and stamina. But the untrained eye often misses the importance that strategy and teamwork can make to a basketball game. This is where volunteer basketball coaches in Senegal can help to make the biggest impact. By introducing simple training methods you can bring together a team's raw talent and lay the foundations for their progression.

Practice consists of fitness sessions, accurate passing drills, one-on-one and zone marking exercises, plus team structure and strategy sessions. Your exact role will depend on your basketball experience: if you are able to take groups alone that is fantastic but you will be greatly appreciated as an assistant coach as well.

Qualifications

None.

Languages

• English
• French

Cost in US$:

Please go to our website for prices.

Cost Includes:

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

Program Fees Include:

The price of each placement includes all your food and accommodation, transfers to and from the airport, full travel and medical insurance plus support and 24 hour back-up from our staff based around the world.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Athletics
• Culture
• Sports
• Volunteering
• Youth

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

• Alumni Network
• 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