subject: Coaching Abroad Projects In Ghana [print this page] Ghana is a country located on the coast of western Africa and has been inhabited since ancient times. In the 15th century, it was occupied by Portugal, which opened up trading routes and brought the sports of Europe to the country. As the first country to gain independence from the United Kingdom, in 1957, Ghana is now a member of the United Nations and is one of the largest cocoa producers in the world. Though Ghana may not be where springs to mind when you consider coaching abroad in Africa, it has a rich history in sports; football is the most popular sport, but rugby is fast catching up.
Volunteering on a project coaching abroad in Ghana presents the opportunity to go into the western African coastal nation and teach at one of the leading clubs - the Accra Rugby Club. In addition to teaching rugby, in your spare time you can explore the capital city of Accra and experience its sights and soak in its culture.
Teaching Rugby at the Accra Rugby Club
As the largest and best-known rugby club in Ghana, the Accra Rugby Club is a wonderful place to be based for time spent coaching abroad in the country. Due to recent loss of players in the other national club, the Accra Rugby Club often plays matches across the borders in Lome, Togo or with visiting Navy ships. While in Accra, teaching rugby to the young players is a great way to interact with the locals and instil the values of sport and teamwork. Though the rules of rugby are often detailed and tricky, you can break them down into offense and defensive sides and cover the basics of throwing, catching, tackling, the scrum, touches, and kicking with even the most green players. And while you are in the country, you should keep your eyes peeled for those who show real promise and would benefit from being scouted out for larger teams.
Exploring Accra
As the largest [and capital] city of Ghana, Accra - situated on the Atlantic coast - is home to over two million people. The centre of the city is interesting in design and has evolved around the Ga town and the British, Dutch and Danish forts and the communities that surround them. While you are on your coaching abroad project near the city, take time to visit the National Museum of Ghana which houses objects from the stone age to the recent past, as well as fine arts that exemplify Ghanian paintings, sculptures and more. After seeing the Museum, head over to the National Theatre. Built as a gift to Ghana by the Chinese, the National Theatre was opened in 1992 and is located in the Victoriaborg district of the city. Currently, the theatre is home to the National Dance Company, the National Symphony Orchestra and the National Theatre Players, any of which make for an excellent night out while coaching abroad.
