At a glance
- Use your coaching skills to inspire and motivate promising young athletes from marginalised areas of Accra.
- You’ll be partnered with a local coach and together you will devise a basketball training plan for the children. Most players will be of beginner level and therefore you will lay the foundations for their development.
- You’ll live and work in the coastal city of Accra, and stay with a local host family. Make the most of your trip by tons of delicious local food, and exploring the sights with other volunteers!
Is volunteering as a basketball coach in Ghana right for me?
If you‘re passionate about basketball, fitness, and want to help disadvantaged youth, this project is for you.
You’ll get plenty of practical coaching experience to add to your CV, and you’ll know that you’re giving back to the community at the same time. You’ll also develop your personal skills, like leadership, organisation, goal-setting. Motivating others and teamwork are two other skills you’ll learn through this project.
You don’t need any experience or qualifications to join. Projects Abroad staff will be there to help you every step of the way, and local coaches will support you.
You can join this project at any time of the year, from a minimum of one week. However, we encourage you to stay longer. The more time you spend with the team, the bigger your impact.
What will I do on this project?
These are the main activities you can get involved with during your project:
Your work will focus on these main areas:
Coach basketball to children
You can develop the basketball skills of disadvantaged children aged 8 to 15 years old. Training will consist of:
- Fitness sessions
- Accurate passing drills
- Man-to-man and zonal marking sessions
- Team structure
- Strategy sessions
Research and plan new and creative ways to coach sport
Local coaches might not have access to the same information as you. Before and during your project, you can research the latest trends in basketball coaching. You can introduce these new techniques and strategies to coaches and your students.
Develop personal skills like leadership and team building
Coaching sports is a great way to learn important life skills. By guiding students through their activities, you can develop leadership skills. You can explore ways to motivate a team to reach specific goals. You’ll also improve your planning skills by preparing for coaching sessions, and getting an opportunity to carry out what you’ve planned.
Who are our project partners?
We partner with DUNK! (Developing Unity, Nurturing Knowledge). DUNK! is a youth-led, community-based organisation. They provide safe spaces for youth from disadvantaged communities to grow, learn, and socialise.
Through educational support for at-risk youth, DUNK! empowers its members to succeed on and off the basketball court. DUNK! is currently working in the two of the most underprivileged communities in Accra: Nima and Jamestown. They work with around 250 children each year.
Some DUNK! staff members are also qualified basketball coaches.
Where will I work in Ghana?
Accra
You’ll work at a local basketball club in Acca. The club was established to provide basic facilities to disadvantaged players who have a passion for the game.
Acca is rich in historical and cultural significance. The city also boasts beaches, museums, and traditional markets.
What is a typical day on this project like?
You will teach basketball in Ghana, from Monday to Friday for four hours per day. These hours can be split up in either the mornings or afternoons. Training could start as early as 6:00am for the morning sessions and 2:00pm for the afternoon sessions. However, these times could be varied depending on your requests and overall convenience for everyone involved.
Daily lessons will focus on enhancing the players fitness and improving their technical basketball skills.
In the evenings, you will return to your host families to get a taste of living like a Ghanaian. Share stories from your day with your host family and fellow volunteers, and chat about life in your home countries.
Your evenings and weekends will be free for you to explore the city of Accra. You can walk along streets lined with 17th century architecture or modern-day buildings. You can also be adventurous and take a trip to Labadi Beach, or explore the National Museum.
What are the aims of this Basketball Project?
The aim of this project is to give disadvantaged children in Ghana the opportunity to receive basketball coaching.
In Ghana, basketball is popular, but children from disadvantaged areas don’t have the opportunity to participate. They don’t have access to basketball courts, or coaching to help them improve. We work with DUNK!, a community-based organisation that gives these children the opportunity. They also focus on giving kids a safe space to learn and grow.
They need volunteers like to you to give each child better training. You’ll become part of their ongoing work, and help students improve their fitness and technical skills on the court. You’ll also focus on building their teamwork skills and self-confidence.
Teach basketball in Ghana and work with the local community to support disadvantaged youth.
The project runs all year round, you can start on any day, and it’s fully supervised. So all you need to do is decide on some dates, complete our application form with a £195 deposit and we’ll take care of the rest.
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.
Meet the team in Ghana
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