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... Someone looking for a career change, career breakers, qualified football coaches (need to have 1st 4 Sport Level 2), people looking for something unique, individuals interested in football development in Africa
 GAP SPORTS: Applicants will be assigned to a leading football academy in the Ghanaian mountains that surround the capital city, Accra. Established in 1999, the academy has over 50 resident players, all of whom have been awarded scholarships to receive top-level coaching. The academy has identified exceptional potential in a number of young Ghanaians and, through a carefully tailored development programme, the players are now being trained to secure contracts in professional football. The players range from 12-19 years of age and many have already been invited to train at top-flight clubs in the US and Europe, including Everton FC, Fulham FC and Newcastle United.
Specialist coaches will be invited to join the academy staff and work with them to continue and develop their ongoing training programme. The current method is based on a guided repetition style where skills are repeated continuously until techniques are mastered. Intensive drills allow players to have maximum contact with the ball and the emphasis is placed on individual progress rather than match results.
If you have an interest in football development, particularly within Africa, this will be a truly unique and rewarding project. With your specialist knowledge and dedication, you will be able to make a significant difference to the progression of football in Ghana, and undoubtedly help shape the continent's next big players.
Accommodation: All volunteers will be provided with a comfortable place to stay. This will either be at a local sports academy, or a guesthouse nearby. The accommodation is situated in the capital, centrally located to all the placements and has a fun social atmosphere. Volunteers are able to spend time with each other, and with the young players who live at the academy. Close bonds are formed, be it through helping them with homework, eating meals together or losing at 'kick-up' competitions in the back yard! The GAP SPORTS cooking staff will also provide volunteers with three meals a day and with a choice of local Ghanaian and 'western' options.
Support Team: GAP SPORTS has a support team who live in Ghana and are available 24 hours a day to respond to any queries that you may have. They have been based in Ghana for many years now and know both the needs of the community as well as the variety of opportunities that are on offer to you. They are very knowledgeable and will give you valuable advice, ranging from health advice to explaining how the local bus system works. Whatever it may be, there is always someone close-by to give you support and guidance and to make sure you are getting the most out of your experience overseas. They also arrange the GAP SPORTS social events which will make you a very close volunteer team and create some of your most memorable moments in Ghana.
Social Life:
GAP SPORTS believe 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, bringing volunteers together to share their experiences and 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 who even have past international experience. However, although Apeteshi FC has a competitive edge, the emphasis is on the social side of football and is 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 & Adventure:
We will encourage you to explore Ghana either independently or in groups and you will have free time to travel the country, sample its breathtaking sites and meet some of Africa 's friendliest people. The capital, Accra , is full of great places to go 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.
Life Skills:
Joining the GAP SPORTS 'family' will equip you with valuable skills that are valued by universities and future employers. As you adapt to the unfamiliar surroundings and environment of a foreign culture, you will naturally grow in confidence, independence and maturity. You will also learn to work as part of a team, sympathise with the needs of others and, above all, realise the great rewards that can be gained from your hard work and commitment. These are qualities and skills that will make you stand out from the crowd in your future life plans.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award:
 We have also teamed-up with the DofE Award to enable you to use your time away to complete significant sections of the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. This will stand you in very good stead for gaining the Award and adding an extremely valuable dimension to your character and CV. As an Award Access Organisation, and with a number of Gold-Award winners on the current staff, GAP SPORTS is well-placed to convert your placement into Award-winning success.
How Long For: 5 weeks or 12 weeks (3 months)
When You Can Go: All year round
Price: £1295 (5 weeks) or £1895 (12 weeks)
What’s Included: Before You Leave:
· Guidance in choosing the right programme for you
· An invitation to a our specialist safety-training days
· Advice and services from our Official Partners
· Fundraising guidance and letters of support
· Ongoing support services for any queries you have
· A donation to our charity ‘United Through Sport’
· The official GAP SPORTS top
· Welcome Packs and essential pre-departure information including medical advice and visa applications
While Overseas:
· A warm welcome at the overseas airport
· Transfers to your accommodation
· All food and accommodation (unless otherwise stated)
· Orientation and induction to the programme and country
· 24-hour local support from our in-country staff
· Full coordination of your programme activities
· A number of adventurous excursions and social events
· Internationally-recognised qualifications (where stated)
· 24-hour emergency support from our UK headquarters
· A donation to the community if you join our volunteer programme
On Your Return:
· Life time membership of “The Club”
· Post-trip reunions
· Signing-off your Duke of Edinburgh’s Award book
· References on request
· Opportunities to work for GAP SPORTS
· The chance to provide ongoing support through our charity ‘United Through Sport’
 What’s Not Included: (but we are happy to advise on)
· Flights
· Travel Insurance
· Visas (where applicable)
· Vaccinations
· Personal Spending money
· In-country travel
For up-to-date costs and departure dates for all our programmes, contact us using the form below...
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0845 344 7613 |
 | Join sports and non-sports community projects in Ghana, South Africa and Costa Rica, become a ski/snowboard instructor in Canada with work experience, play and train at international football, rugby and cricket academies abroad, or become a qualified dive master and work in dive schools worldwide... no experience required, all applicants welcome! |
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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.
