Volleyball is an emerging sport in Ghana where facilities and volleyball coaches are very limited. The sport has the full backing of the Ghana Beach Sports Association (GBSA) which is trying to develop volleyball across the country. The national volleyball team is yet to make an impact on the world stage but this doesn’t stop many young Ghanaians from taking an interest in volleyball and playing informal volleyball games with their friends. However, if volleyball is to gather momentum in Ghana, it needs passionate volleyball coaches to increase participation and encourage aspiring volleyball players to develop their skills.

 

As a volleyball coach in Ghana you will work alongside local sports coaches to run volleyball training in the community. The volleyball coaching sessions and volleyball matches will take place in the local schools and newly formed clubs. You will also be supported by our in-country staff throughout your volleyball placement. So, whether you are an experienced volleyball coach or just an enthusiastic volleyball player, we are sure to have a place for you in Ghana. You do not need lots of experience playing or coaching beach volleyball to join this volleyball project, just a good understanding of the traditional game and some experience playing volleyball at a reasonable level. This placement is all about encouraging young people to play volleyball and giving them access to structured volleyball training sessions. Through your commitment and enthusiasm, you will make a real impact on the volleyball opportunities available outside of the capital, Accra, where grassroots sports development is often overlooked.

As a volunteer volleyball coach you will work to promote volleyball and run coaching sessions for children and young adults in the local community, most coming from disadvantaged backgrounds. Their passion for sport is infectious and their desire to develop is amazing. Through introducing the basics of volleyball and improving the skills of those already playing volleyball, you can help Ghana towards its dream of competing at the highest level. Whether you are teaching the basics of volleyball, developing complicated set-plays, or running intense drills, you will soon develop your own volleyball coaching programme unique to you and your players. Volleyball matches and tournaments will usually follow some basic coaching sessions as a reward for the hard work of your players. Organised volleyball matches are a fantastic way to increase participation of the sport. It also gives your players a chance to experience a competitive environment which is great for developing a sense of team spirit and sportsmanship.

 

If you have sufficient volleyball coaching qualifications and experience, you may be given the responsibility of starting and/or managing your own local volleyball team. You may also be asked to train local coaches and help them improve their volleyball coaching skills.

 

There may also be opportunities for you to get involved in Ghana’s other main beach sport – beach football. In your spare time you will be able to play both of these beach sports, so keeping fit during your time in Ghana will not be hard.

 

A gap year in Ghana that combines gap year volleyball and gap year volunteering is a great way to spend your gap year in Ghana. You will meet other gap year volunteers who are coaching gap year volleyball and return home with some unforgettable gap year memories.