Africa | Ghana | Football, Sports Psychology | Coaching, Internships & Work Experience

Mark Dawson: Football Coaching, Playing and Sports Psychology in Ghana

Having completed my BSc in Sport Psychology I was keen to continue with my education, the next stage required an MSc in Sport Psychology to keep on the road to obtaining chartered status. Variables out of my control meant that it worked out much better to take a year out from studying before applying for my MSc and so I looked into a number of options for my gap year.

My desire to help others improve their sport and become the best they can be is the reason I searched for sports orientated gap years, and at this time I stumbled upon an organisation that specialised in sports coaching projects in Africa and South America.

Three months in Ghana turned out to be a defining experience for me. While my career aspirations have remained the same, my desire to help others less fortunate has increased dramatically. Living in Ghana opens your eyes to a world where everything we take for granted, is not necessarily readily accessible. From running (and drinkable) tap water and electricity, to timetabled public transport. Ghana (and Africa in general I have since found out) runs to its own timetable. ‘Just now’ and ‘I am coming’ have an entirely different meaning in the UK and it is the African mentality and attitude that keeps everything so relaxed, if not infuriating on the odd occasion.