Sports in Ghana

We have several sports options to choose from in Ghana. When you apply, please firstly let us know if you are interested in a football or rugby placement. If you plan on joining one of our football projects, please also inform us of any previous experience you may have, so we can match you to the most appropriate placement.

Football

Football is the national sport in Ghana. Given the 'Black Stars' - the Ghanaian team's - performance in the 2006 World Cup it can only get bigger and better. Football in Ghana is everywhere! Whether it's flags on cars, stickers in taxis, locals in football jerseys or kids playing in the street, it's immediately apparent that Ghanaians are extremely passionate about football.

Our football placements 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 Michael Essien or Stephen Appiah. There will also be the opportunity to see one of Ghana's many club teams - Kotoko and Hearts of Oak being the two best. Volunteers sometimes take young players to games to help with their footballing development.

We have football placements where anyone with past experience could take on coaching responsibility from the day they arrive and we also have a new project suitable for volunteers who have no previous coaching experience but lots of enthusiasm for the beautiful game.

In this pioneering new project, first-time Projects Abroad football-coaching volunteers have the opportunity to get involved in all aspects of a youth academy. Volunteers will train in the mornings with a local second division football squad, (see programme below) and in the afternoons will work with a youth team, giving them the benefit of your newly acquired coaching knowledge and skills. This project is a fantastic chance to improve your skills and ability whilst 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 third division teams!

During your time coaching in the afternoons you will be responsible for the development of young footballers' basic skills and techniques. You will co-ordinate and plan coaching sessions to develop ball control, accurate passing, keeping possession and moving into space, for example. Furthermore you will help your supervisor, usually the team's part-time manager, to plan match strategies and take practice games. You will probably be asked to assist in team selection and to be 'on the bench' for weekend or evening matches.

Football Coaching Programme
	8.00	8.30	9.00	9.30	10.00
Monday	Warm up & skill work	Aerobic exercise	Stretching & agility training	Basketball, volleyball or handball. Warm down.	Coaching Instruction 1
Tuesday	Warm up, stretching & light jogging	Skills work	Themed drills & repetitive exercise	Games with opponent. Warm down.	Coaching Instruction 2
Wednesday	Warm up & skill work	Aerobic exercise	Skills work	Application of tactical awareness to the game. Warm down.	Coaching Instruction 3
Thursday	Warm up, stretching & light jogging	Skills work	Themed drills & repetitive exercise	Conditioned game. Warm down.	Coaching Instruction 4
Friday	Warm up & Stretching	Ball work - speed, strength & movement	Ball work - speed, strength & movement	Principles of play. Focus on tactics for match tomorrow. Warm down.	Coaching Instruction 5
Saturday	Match Day - Post match analysis
Sunday	Rest	Rest	Rest	Rest	Rest

Rugby

We can also offer volunteers in Ghana the chance to coach rugby in schools in and around Cape Coast. Rugby is a sport which is just starting to become known in Ghana and we are working alongside George Avoola Ladipo, the coach of the Junior National Rugby team, to help develop the sport in the Central Region.

Volunteers will work closely with George on a daily basis assisting with all elements of coaching within a selection of schools in the area. You will help with fitness training, rugby techniques and may sometimes be asked to explain the rules to children much more at home with football! You will also assist with the organisation of rugby matches between the various schools and help to develop a league system.

This is a great opportunity for anyone passionate about rugby to get involved in the sport in its infancy in Ghana, and to pass on some of your enthusiasm for the sport to a new generation of youngsters.