At a glance
- Work with local professional soccer coaches to help disadvantaged children improve their skills and confidence.
- You’ll work at a long-established soccer club where you’ll coach young boys and give them a healthy and fun way to keep active.
- The coaches will teach you correct techniques and strategies, as well as basic first aid and lesson planning.
- Download a sample itinerary for this project.
Is volunteering as a teenage soccer coach in Ghana right for me?
If you are a teenager who loves sport and working with children, then coaching soccer in Ghana is for you!
You don’t need to be an experienced soccer player to join. All you need is an interest in sports and a willingness to learn. Professional soccer coaches will teach you everything you need to know, and our staff are also there to help you if you need it.
You’ll gain plenty of practical coaching experience in Ghana. This will stand you in good stead if you’re looking to pursue a career in sports coaching or as a physical education teacher in the future.
This High School Special runs over fixed dates during the summer holidays. Your Projects Abroad supervisors will be there to guide and support you every step of the way.
What will I be doing during my project in Ghana?
As a volunteer football coach in Ghana, you will work with Tore Eikeland Team in Akuapem or the Billa Future Stars Academy in Accra. Here are some of the tasks you can expect to do during your placement:
1
Learn training techniques and strategies from professional football coaches
2
Prepare football training sessions alongside professional coaches
3
Teach young football players the correct techniques and help them improve their skills
4
Referee at football games and provide match feedback to your players
These are the tasks you’ll focus on during your project:
Learn coaching skills from professional soccer coaches
Learning the proper training techniques and strategies are key to being a good soccer coach. Each day, you’ll join a training session with professional coaches who will teach you various aspects of the game. You’ll learn game rules, effective warm-up and cool-down exercises, and match preparation. On top of this, you’ll also learn basic first aid and how to coach different ages groups.
Prepare soccer training sessions
Alongside professional coaches, you’ll help plan the next day’s soccer sessions. This will include effective warm-ups that help avoid injury and fitness activities that improve the strength and stamina of players. You’ll also assist with organizing and running friendly matches where they can practice against one another.
Help improve the skills and techniques of young soccer players
Every training session is an opportunity to develop the skills of the children who attend the soccer club. If you show show enthusiasm and confidence, they’ll follow your lead and instruction. This training will help them improve their:
- Footwork
- Ball control
- Passing skills
- Overall technique
The more they practise, the better they will play together as a team.
Referee at soccer games and provide match feedback
After two-weeks of preparing your teams, you’ll be able to show off their improved skills at a local tournament. You’ll may even be able to put your soccer knowledge to the test by refereeing at the game. You’ll need to keep a close eye on your players, because once the game is over, you’ll provide constructive feedback to each of them. You can share your observations with them and give them advice on where they can improve.
Where in Ghana will I be volunteering?
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 are the aims and impact of this Soccer Project?
The aim of our Soccer High School Special in Ghana is to help young boys from disadvantaged areas improve their soccer skills. Playing soccer also helps them develop their confidence while having fun getting fit at the same time.
Ghanaians are hugely passionate about soccer and manage to play the game whenever they have a free moment.
Through regular soccer coaching and giving the boys a chance to play competitive matches, you’ll contribute to the development of their soccer skills and techniques. Our goal is to build a team of highly skilled soccer players that are able to secure scholarships as a result of their athletic ability. We hope to see them play professional soccer for some of the best soccer leagues in the world!
Join us in Ghana and work with other teenagers and local coaches to help disadvantaged children develop their soccer skills.
Measuring our impact
Every year, thousands of High School Special volunteers and interns actively make a difference around the world. During their time abroad, they contribute towards achieving long-term goals and make a long-lasting positive impact on the communities where they work.
We produce an annual High School Specials Impact Report, which documents some of these achievements. Find out more about the impact of these projects, and read the latest report.
Food and accommodation
You'll stay with a host family in Accra, Akuapem Hills, or Cape Coast. 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.
On our High School Specials, we will always try to have you share a room with at least one volunteer or intern of the same gender and approximate age. Your room will be modest, but comfortable, clean, and safe.
Your program fee includes three meals a day.
Find out more about our accommodation.
Safety and staff support
Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have all the extra support you need as a young person travelling abroad. Our Projects Abroad staff are there for you 24 hours a day during the week and over weekends to provide constant support and guidance. Our staff also make sure you feel comfortable and safe at your placement and accommodation. 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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