The information in the gapyear.com placement database is provided by each individual company. Gapyear.com claims no responsibility for inaccurate, misleading or libellious information. Please ensure that you check all details with the specific organisation before booking or accepting placement.
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This placement would suit... motivational individuals with a keen interest in sports, particularly boxing. Volunteers should also be keen on immersing themselves in the Ghanaian way of life.
 Train alongside passionate fighters and gain firsthand insight into the colourful world of West African boxing... Befriend locals, learn, develop and encourage young fighters with schooling... Help teach lessons...
What to expect
Train with some of the top Ghanaian boxing talent and take part in the organisation and promotion of event fights. Work in a number of different clubs across the country, spotting talent and offering advice to up-and-coming fighters. Spend time with your fighters, working on their fitness, skill and self-confidence, and overcome the difficulties of poverty and deprivation by providing emotional support as a personal mentor. Travel Ghana with your fellow GAP SPORTS volunteers, from the wild savannah and elephants of Mole National Park, to the ancient coastal slave-forts of Cape Coast and Elmina.
NB: No prior coaching experience or qualifications are required.
Boxing in Ghana
Ghanaians have an intense passion for boxing and it is perhaps Ghana's most popular sport after football. A GAP SPORTS boxing placement will allow you to experience this enthusiasm firsthand while you work with highly accomplished Ghanaian boxers. The emphasis with this placement is not so much on your coaching ideas, although any input will be welcomed, but rather on your personal development as you train alongside and befriend these talented fighters. This is a truly unique opportunity to gain a deep insight into the intense world of the West African boxing culture.
Your Placement
The vast majority of Ghana 's boxers come from a two square-mile area of the capital city, Accra. There are over 26 gyms in this region that train talented youngsters with a burning desire for a better life. However, although the passion never fades, the facilities and funding are very limited. It is these gyms that have welcomed and provided placements for GAP SPORTS volunteers.
Your Role
 Volunteers will be able to get a real taste of the Ghanaian boxing culture while having the opportunity to improve your own fitness levels. Although we also welcome experienced trainers and fighters, there is no expectation for volunteers to have a vast knowledge of boxing and training techniques. There are many experienced Ghanaian coaches who can offer you support and guidance in this area. It is up to the volunteer as to how involved they want to become with the running of training sessions and fitness programmes. If the timing is right, you will also have the opportunity to get involved with the organisation, promotion and running of an event, in partnership with one of Ghana 's leading promoters.
Most importantly, you will have the chance to make a real difference to the lives of the youngsters you work with. Many of the young fighters will have pinned their life's hopes on turning professional, despite the fact that most will not make the grade. As a GAP SPORTS volunteer, you will have the chance to act as a 'mentor' or friend and try to open their minds to the opportunities outside of the gym. This is a key part of your placement because we want young athletes to recognise the importance of school education and the development of an alternative life-plan away from the ring.
Rural Sports Camp
GAP SPORTS gives its volunteers the opportunity to experience life in 'rural' Africa. Although most of your time will be spent with your city-based athletes, volunteers are encouraged to take part in sports camps organised in the rural villages and small towns. You will give children the opportunity to get involved with sports activities by organising tournaments, providing decent equipment and giving coaching advice. You will attract a great deal of enthusiasm from aspiring young sports people, which could also provide the chance to find Africa 's next sports star!?
 Optional Teaching
In addition to the boxing role, volunteers have the opportunity to teach classes, or assist in teaching classes, with one of the sports academies or schools based in Accra. This will give you another valuable experience and allow you to make a difference through formal teaching. 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), maths, science, journalism, business, IT, RE and a whole variety of extra-curricular activities.
Accommodation
All volunteers will be provided with a comfortable place to stay. This will either be at one of the sports academies or at a guesthouse nearby. The accommodation is situated in the capital, centrally located to all the placements and has a fun, social atmosphere. This enables volunteers to spend time with each other and some of their fighters away from the ring. Close bonds are formed, be it through helping them with homework or simply by losing at 'kick-up' competitions in the back yard! The GAP SPORTS cooking staff will also provide volunteers with three meals a day and, although there is a variety of local food, a number of western dishes can also be chosen.
GAP SPORTS also has a support team who live in Ghana and is available 24 hours a day to respond to any queries that volunteers may have. This assistance can range from health advice to explaining how the local bus system works. Whatever it may be, there is always someone there who can give you support and guidance. They are also great social organisers!
Social Life
GAP SPORTS believes it is important to give volunteers the chance to unwind and have fun while they are away. The 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 trips to Ghana 's best night spots, All-You-Can-Eat-and-Drink nights, 5-a-side football and volleyball matches.
Apeteshi FC
 If you ever fancy a game of footy or simply enjoy the social side of football, then GAP SPORTS will encourage you to take part in regular football matches as part of Apeteshi FC - a team made up of volunteers and locals. The team will give you the chance to play with some top players, some of whom even have past international experience. However, although Apeteshi FC has a competitive edge, the emphasis is on the social side of football and is amusingly named after the locally brewed gin! And if you play in the team or simply join in with the 'supporting', you will soon see why Apeteshi FC is renowned for its unpredictable matches and fiery social life!
Travel and Adventure
We will encourage you to explore Ghana either independently or in groups and you will have free time to travel the country and sample 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's 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 help you build a travelling itinerary and give you plenty of advice on how to make your way through the country.
If you are interested in this project, fill in the enquiry form below...
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0845 344 7613 |
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The information in the gapyear.com placement database is provided by each individual company. Gapyear.com claims no responsibility for inaccurate, misleading or libellious information. Please ensure that you check all details with the specific organisation before booking or accepting placement.
