Netball Coaching & Playing Experience in Ghana, Accra

Netball in Ghana
Netball truly is one of Ghana’s next up-and-coming sports and there has been a significant increase in the number of players joining the sport in the last few years. Although Ghana does not have a history of mass participation in netball, there is an ever increasing passion to play netball in the schools and universities. Ghana also boasts a structured league system with a number of decent club teams training and competing on a regular basis. This has helped fuel the emergence of a much improved national squad with a number of very talented players.

If you have played or coached netball in the past, and have lots of enthusiasm for the game, you will be able to make a very positive impact on Ghanaian netball, be it at the grassroots end of the game or even at national level.

Your Netball Coaching Volunteer Placement
Your netball placement will involve coaching sessions in schools, clubs and some universities. The work in schools is at the lower end of the game and you will be able to coach in universities and clubs as well. Depending on your confidence and coaching experience, you will also have opportunities to coach and train with the national netball squad. Most of your players will come from poorer backgrounds, never having had the chance to play netball before. By volunteering in Ghana, you will therefore give a number of children access to the sport, either to enjoy it as a fun hobby, or to nurture raw talent that would otherwise go unnoticed.

Your Netball Coaching Role
You will start in junior and secondary schools where the standard varies and where the coaching is usually lots of fun, non-pressurised and very rewarding. The age groups range from around 10 to 16 years old and the ability also varies. You will therefore help to organise training clinics and matches while also providing decent netball equipment for players to train with. Your players are sure to improve greatly with some structured passing and shooting drills.

From the schools, you will be able to coach or assist in the coaching of university netball teams. Some netball teams are well developed and play regular netball matches whereas others still lack the commitment from a dedicated netball coach. Coaching in the universities will tend to take place in the afternoon, after finishing your schools work.

The netball leagues are made up of various female netball clubs where training tends to take place in the late afternoon and early evenings. The standard often varies so you will be able to coach in these clubs across a range of abilities. If teams have an afternoon match, training will usually take place first thing in the morning, so be prepared for a few early starts!

You will also have plenty of time to improve your own netball game by training and playing with some of the top local league teams and university teams. And, depending on your ability and motivation, you will even have opportunities to train with the national squad! Not only will playing netball in Ghana be loads of fun and keep you fit during your time overseas, it will also provide a great cultural exchange between you and your fellow netball players. You are sure to leave with close friends and fond memories of your time on and off court.

Criminal Records Check
We require you to complete a criminal records check in order to take part in this experience. We can accept those that have been done in the last two years if you have the certificate. In the UK it can be done through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), in the USA further details can be found on Travel.State.Gov, otherwise please search for your local service provider. We may also request a reference from a reliable source. You must supply these to us before departure and also take a copy with you to present to the in-country team.

Why do we require a criminal background check?
1) Ensuring a safe environment is conducive to learning, productivity and overall positive experiences for everyone involved.

2) We implement thorough screening processes and we are committed to safety and integrity, fostering trust among participants and the local community.

3) Conducting background checks serves as a preventive measure, deterring individuals with questionable backgrounds from attempting to participate in our programme.

4) Safeguards vulnerable people from potential harm within the programme.

Gap Year, Student Placements and Sports Summer Holiday Netball Experience Options in Ghana
A netball gap year or student sports holiday in Ghana is the perfect way to combine netball coaching with student travel in Ghana. You will meet other volunteer sports coaches, coach netball and enjoy a fantastic netball experience abroad. So, if you love netball, make sure you consider a netball coaching and playing experience in Ghana.

You can arrive any first or third weekend of the month to start the project on a Monday. Please try to arrive on a Sunday into Accra. 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
Most visitors to Ghana will require a visa to enter. We suggest you apply for a tourist visa and we will supply you with all the required information once you have booked. 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. We also highly advise getting malaria tablets. You should contact your 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.

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.

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; Soft drinks and alcohol; Extra activities not on itinerary.

Preferred Duration
We would like you to try come for 4 weeks or more to make the most out of the experience as it will take you a few days to settle in and make relationships. It also helps us better manage the projects and it’s not everyday you come to Ghana on an experience like this, so make the most of it.

Prerequisites
No prior coaching experience or qualifications are required, but a basic understanding of the game and/or playing experience is necessary. You also need to be healthy and of reasonable fitness.

Ideal For
Netball Coaching Holidays and Placements in Africa; Sports Activity Breaks in Africa; Sports Coaching Gap Years and Career Breaks in Africa; Student Summer Holidays.

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!