Basketball Coaching & Playing Experience in Ghana, Accra

Basketball in Ghana
Basketball is considered to be Ghana’s next up-and-coming sport. There is an abundance of raw talent within the country and the Ghana Basketball Association (GBA) has worked hard to implement an intricate training and development programme. A basketball placement will give you the opportunity to access some of Ghana’s finest athletes and take part in their coaching and training. However, this is only one side of the game and you can choose how involved you want to be. A basketball placement will allow you to work with young and enthusiastic players on a more relaxed level where the emphasis is on fun and developing strong friendships. At this level, the placement is about building worthwhile relationships, rather than creating Ghana’s next big star!

Your Basketball Volunteer Placement
We have links with a number of local schools and league teams where there is a competitive, as well as a more relaxed, attitude towards the game. We also work closely with the Ghana Basketball Association and can place our basketball coaches in some of the top development clinics and training sessions for the junior national teams. We can provide a placement for any enthusiastic volunteer, no matter what experience you have.

Your Basketball Coaching Role
If you are involved with a local team, it is again up to you as to how much responsibility you feel you can handle. Volunteers will typically be placed in fun and social sides where you will be able to get alongside your players and simply give them the chance to play as a team. By introducing the basics, that you probably take for granted, you will soon see the young athletes improve their game. We want volunteers to get involved with their teams and their placement as much as possible. You will have guidance and support from the in-country team, as well as local coaches, who will encourage you to take part in training sessions and matches. You will then be able to introduce more of your own ideas and organise your own coaching programmes and tournaments for your team. However, volunteers should remember that there isn’t a high expectation to produce world class players! We just want you to make the game fun and enjoyable, whilst giving the players the sense of belonging that all teams value.

Higher Level
Because of the links we have at the top-end of the game, you can be placed alongside the coaches for the national youth teams. From there, it is up to you, and the ability you feel you have as a coach, to get involved with the development programmes that the GBA run. But don’t worry; you are not left to fend for yourself! The GBA coaches and our in-country team will be there to offer you any guidance you may need.

CRB/DBS (Criminal Records Bureau) Check
It is advised that participants complete a CRB/DBS (Criminal Records Bureau) check in order to take part in this project. We can provide this service for you at an additional cost because some people may already have one that is valid (please get in touch for more details).

Gap Year, Student Holiday or Career Break Basketball in Ghana
Coaching basketball with your time away is the best way to combine a sports experience with a meaningful and education volunteer project. A basketball trip to Ghana will offer you adventurous travel, exciting basketball opportunities and a truly unforgettable sports experience.

You can arrive any weekend of the year to start the project on a Monday. We’ll pick you up from the airport and take you back to the accommodation to settle you in and meet the rest of the team.

Please note that some national holidays may cause disruption to normal sessions but our in-country team will do their best to support activities around this.

Visa
British Nationals (and most visitors to Ghana) will require a visa to enter Ghana and we suggest you apply for a tourist visa. You can check your visa requirements by visiting the Ghana High Commission website. Please search online for details.

Everyone will also require a yellow fever vaccination to enter Ghana and a certificate to prove you have had this. You should contact your travel nurse/doctor to discuss this further.

Optional Teaching in Ghana
In addition to your coaching role, you will have the opportunity to teach classes, or assist in teaching classes, in one of the sports academies or schools based in Accra. This will give you another impacting experience while allowing you to make a difference outside the world of sport. With a western education, you will be able to contribute massively to the standard of tuition that the students receive. Subject areas include English (language and literature), math, science, journalism, business, IT, RE and a whole variety of extra-curricular activities.

Other Options in Ghana
It is likely that there will be a whole variety of other activities you can get involved with while you are away. Because we have focused in-country teams, they will be able to inform you of other opportunities both inside and outside the capital. This gives you a unique chance to combine projects and experience the country in a whole variety of ways.

Equipment Donation for Ghana
We are dedicated to sustainable development. This is why part of the fee you pay goes towards buying decent equipment for beneficiary organisations in Ghana. You will often use this equipment during your project and it is always left with the community when you leave. In some cases, an equipment donation may not be appropriate so a financial contribution is made instead

Social Life in Ghana
Our social life is unrivalled and we believe it is important to give volunteers the chance to unwind and have fun while they are away. Our in-country team therefore organises a variety of activities to bring volunteers together, to share their experiences and, above all, have a good time. Some of these activities include visits to the best night spots, group meals, trips away and sports teams where you can to take on local competition

Akpateshi FC
If you fancy a game of footy while you are away, or simply enjoy the social side of football, you should join our volunteer team, Akpateshi FC. This gives you the chance to play alongside the other volunteers and challenge some serious African opposition. However, although the team has a competitive edge, the emphasis is on the social side of football and is aptly named after the locally brewed bush whiskey! If you play in the team, or simply become a supporter, you will soon see why Akpateshi FC is so renowned for its unpredictable matches and fiery social life.

Travel and Adventure in Ghana
You will be encouraged to explore Ghana during your free time so you can sample some of its breathtaking sights and meet some of Africa’s friendliest people. The capital, Accra, is full of great places to visit and you will meet both locals and other travellers at a variety of bars and restaurants that provide authentic African live music and dancing. There are also a large number of western-style pubs and clubs, including an Irish Bar, an American Sports Bar and a series of dance-venues very close to where you are living. And, if you fancy a football experience to remember, then prepare yourself for watching Hearts of Oak at the National Stadium where the locals wave flags, blow horns and dance on the roofs of the terraces!

Beyond Accra, there are countless places to visit. You could take a Sunday pleasure-cruise on Lake Volta (the biggest man-made lake in Africa) or you might want to visit the history-laden slave castles of Cape Coast and Elmina. You may want to take a walk on the wild side with the elephants at Mole National Park or spot tropical birds in the rainforest canopy at Kakum National Park. Then there is the 60-metre-high Wli waterfalls, the Buabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary (where monkeys are preserved as ‘sacred’ creatures!) and the endless palm-tree beaches lining the Atlantic coastline! The captivating places, intriguing people and diverse landscapes will make Ghana one of the most enlightening experiences a traveller could wish for. Our in-country team will also help you build a travelling itinerary and give you plenty of advice on how to make your way through the country.

Accommodation
The accommodation is basic but comfortable and you will stay in a dormitory style room. The accommodation has a very sociable atmosphere and you will find it a great place to relax and unwind in the evenings. The accommodation is also centrally located to the placements. Shops and other useful amenities are either a short walk or taxi ride away.

CRB/DBS (Criminal Records Bureau) Check
Participant’s are advised to complete a CRB/DBS check in order to join this project. Sporting Opportunities has a partnership with a third party organisation that processes all CRB/DBS checks and disclosures on behalf of the Sporting Opportunities team. This is a quick and easy procedure making all aspects of the application as straight forward as possible. Sporting Opportunities can provide this service for you at an additional cost of £30. For more information on the application process please take a look at the relevant Add On tab.

Accommodation
Communal House; Basic but comfortable; Dormitory style rooms (4-10 people per room); Shared toilets and showers.

Food
3 meals a day; Basic but nutritious local foods

Airport Pick-Up
Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you are arriving early.

Training
Full project induction and local orientation given on arrival.

Support
Pre-departure help and advice; Local in-country team; 24 hour emergency support.

Flights; Travel Insurance; Visas; Vaccinations; Spending money; In country travel; Payment for transport to / from placement; Laundry service; Extra activities not on itinerary.

Preferred Duration
Volunteers should try to come for as long as possible preferably for 8 or 12 weeks. This ensures better management of the project and also helps you get the most from the social activities and group travel opportunities on offer.

Typical Hours
Monday-Friday; 4-6 hours a day; Occasional work at weekends but usually free for personal time and travel. Please be aware that some public holidays may cause disruption to times / days during your volunteer project.

Pre-requisites
No prior coaching experience or qualifications are required, but a basic understanding of the game and/or playing experience is necessary.

Ideal For
Sports Gap years; Career Breaks; Gap breaks; Gap Years and Volunteer Travel; Basketball Coaching in Ghana; Sports Volunteering in Africa.

Suitable for ages 17 to 80

Most participants are between 18 and 25, so please be aware of this. We do welcome older people because of the value and experience they bring to the community. We have even had people in their late 70s join us so don't be put off!