At a glance
- Work closely with local coaches to help develop the sports skills of teenagers from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- By working at the club, you’ll teach the young players about teamwork and discipline whilst improving their physical health.
- It’s a great way for you to refine your own skills and learn new training techniques from different coaches.
Is volunteer soccer coaching in Ghana right for me?
Are you passionate about soccer? Are you eager to get more practical coaching experience? Would you like to help develop the skills of young players from a disadvantaged background? Then coaching soccer in Ghana is the perfect opportunity for you!
This project is a fantastic chance to improve your coaching whilst also helping local children to develop their skills. You may even get the chance to play for one of the local teams in one of their friendly games at the weekend!
This project runs year-round and you can join at any time. It would be ideal if you could spend four weeks or more on the project to get the most out of it.
What will I be doing as a volunteer soccer coach in Ghana?
As a volunteer soccer coach in Ghana, you will work with children from the Tore Eikeland School in the Akuapem Hills. You may also work with the Abiriw Youngster Football Club, a community soccer club and African talent soccer academy in Ghana’s Eastern Region. Here are some of the tasks you can expect to do during your placement:
Your work will focus on the following areas:
Prepare for training sessions with local coaches
You will meet with local soccer coaches to discuss training sessions twice a week. This will also include doing match analysis and discussing the weekly schedule. Interacting with local coaches is an excellent opportunity to learn coaching skills and trade secrets from professionals. It’s also a great way to get to know more about the strengths and weaknesses of the players you will be working with.
On some days, you may also have to help out with the maintenance of the football grounds and complete similar manual work.
Teach a youth team
As a volunteer coaching soccer in Ghana, your afternoons will be dedicated to training a young team. This will include working on:
- Development of ball control
- Accurate passing
- Keeping possession
- Game tactics
- Moving into space.
Along with the local coaches, you will also discuss and work on match strategies and coordinate practice games.
Join in local games
One of the greatest things about this volunteer project is the fact that you will be able to join in the fun!
As a soccer enthusiast yourself, you are likely to be drawn into local games in the evenings or over weekends. This will give you a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the local style of soccer and offer better advice to your team.
Accompany coaches and players to professional games
You will also get the opportunity to see one of Ghana's many top division club teams - like Kotoko and Hearts of Oak - in action. You can accompany the players to games, and discuss the match to help with their own development.
Where you will be working as a volunteer soccer coach in Ghana
Akuapem Hills
Located in the Eastern Region of Ghana, Akuapem Hills is characterised by vibrant green vegetation and rich red earth. As one of the quieter regions, children calling 'Obroni’ (foreigner) as they try to catch your attention will be unmistakable. The villages are welcoming and know how to entertain! When volunteering in Ghana, join in on the street festivities or try dried fish and yams at a food stall on the main street. The bustling city of Accra is within easy reach for a day trip.
What will my typical day be like as a soccer coach in Ghana?
Your working week will be from Monday to Friday, which is when you’ll lead training sessions. Once a month, you also have the opportunity to join in with competitive matches. On weekends, you have time to rest and explore.
You will start your mornings with a hearty breakfast in your host family’s home. Then, you'll travel directly to Akokoa, where the Tore Eikeland School is, to prepare for the day ahead.
As schools close for the day, children will start arriving at the soccer club between 4pm and 6pm. This is when the fun begins! You will spend the rest of the day teaching a young team and helping them develop basic skills and techniques.
You will be expected to help out at games on certain evenings. You may even be asked to act as referee or join a game if a player gets injured. Time spent with the children will provide you with an excellent hands-on soccer coaching experience while you’re in Ghana.
On weekends, you will have plenty of free time to explore with your fellow volunteers and get to know your host family.
What are the aims and impacts of Soccer in Ghana?
Soccer is hugely popular in Ghana. There is plenty of room for development on a national level, and especially talented players can go on to represent their country.
Unfortunately, competitive sports can be beyond reach for many Ghanaian children, due financial constraints. We help overcome those barriers by covering their participation costs. This includes equipment and jerseys. We also cover the cost of transportation to and from training.
We run our Soccer Project in Ghana to achieve several goals:
- Improve health and fitness
- Reduce inequality
- Develop motor skills
- Learn life skills like teamwork and discipline
Teach soccer in Ghana and help local children develop important life skills through sports.
Measuring our impact
Our projects work towards clear long-term goals, with specific annual objectives. Every volunteer and intern we send to these projects helps us work towards these goals, no matter how long they spend on our projects.
Every year we take a step back and look at how much progress we've made towards these goals. We put together a Global Impact Report, which documents our achievements. Find out more about the impact our global community of volunteers, interns and staff make, and read the latest report.
Food and accommodation
You'll stay with a host family in Ghana. They will welcome you into their home, eager to share their customs and have you teach them about your own culture. We believe that this is the best way to immerse yourself in the culture of Ghana and have a truly unique experience.
We will always try to let you live alongside at least one other Projects Abroad volunteer or intern at the same host family. Your room will be modest, but comfortable, clean, and safe.
Your program fee includes three meals a day.
Find out more about our accommodation.
Leisure activities and free time
Volunteering in Ghana is an ideal way to explore this colourful West African country. There’s a huge variety of different activities to do while you’re there, giving you plenty of exciting ways to spend your free time.
Music is a central part of Ghanaian culture. In the bigger towns, especially Accra, you will hear some great live bands and have some memorable nights out. Evenings spent at buzzing restaurants will also give you a taste of some of the delicious local cuisine.
For a look into Ghana’s history, you can tour the slave forts of Cape Coast and visit museums. Nature lovers will relish trekking through the rainforests of Kakum National Park or Mole National Park.
We run a wide range of projects in Ghana so there’s sure to be other volunteers there during your trip. This means you can explore the country solo or connect with other volunteers and travel as a group.
Safety and staff support
Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have the support you need to enjoy your trip with peace of mind. Our Projects Abroad staff are available 24 hours a day to help, and will be on hand to make sure you settle in well at your accommodation and placement. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.
Find out more about safety and backup.
This placement is fully researched, safety audited, and risk assessed in accordance with the British Standard BS8848 for the Adventure Travel Sector.
Meet the team in Ghana
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