WORK CONTENT AND DESCRIPTION
The pleasure for me is in seeing
youngsters learning to catch, throw and hit a ball and play in a team game where
healthy competition is encouraged and where they encourage one another to do well.
You do not have to be a good cricketer to teach this. Occasionally I have had more
than one class at a time and it is quite difficult keeping control of large numbers
of kids and ensuring that everyone has a chance to have a bat and a bowl. The older
kids are so competitive that they have latched on to the idea that if they sneak
into the queue for a second bat then their team will score more runs!!!
Paul Edmunds
Ghana is a wonderfully welcoming country and the people are overwhelmingly hospitable
and friendly. They love their music, dancing and socialising, and this, together
with lots of glorious open African country and sunshine, contribute to making your
travel adventure to Ghana very special.
You'll probably work in a few different schools, depending on your timetable. Part
of the uniqueness of Cricket is that the game also embodies a philosophy and discipline
based on "fair play" and other life skills - so you'll actually be teaching the
children more than 'just cricket'!
The schools are a mixture of primary, junior and secondary. You will generally be
asked to teach cricket to all age groups. You are very likely to be in popular demand
everywhere - in and out of the classroom. We're looking for cricket enthusiasts
as volunteers who can continue with the ground work started by previous volunteers.
We run a number of successful cricket tournaments and you can get involved in the
running of these tournaments.
OUR CRICKET DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME:
Travellers Worldwide and the Ghana Cricket Association are working hand in hand
to develop cricket in Ghana. As a Travellers cricket coach, you'll assist in this
development programme that is designed to strengthen the sport of cricket in Ghana.
As we are trying to strengthen the sport of cricket in Ghana, when possible, Travellers
hold tournaments for the 4 schools involved, who all play for the Travellers Trophy.
Depending on when you are there, our role in this will be to organise the tournament,
as well as select the players and run the operation of the tournament. These tournaments
are a great way for children to put into practice the skills you have taught them.
These tournaments are the only opportunity that Ghanaian children have to play cricket
anywhere in the country.
The level of cricket at the Tournament
may not have been high, but it was one of the most enjoyable days I have spent on
a cricket pitch. I've watched and played cricket all over the world, at all levels
and only on rare occasions have I felt like I did after the Tournament was over.
The rush of pleasure from seeing how much the children enjoyed it was for me unrivalled. Tom Thorley
Whilst you are on your Coaching Cricket project you would be expected to help with
other subjects such as Teaching English, as Coaching is not full time. There are
no qualifications needed but a good level of English is required.
Some of the teachers are also keen to learn the game and help out in cricket sessions,
and we believe that this will help to expand the game not only in the schools, but
also in the entire community. Your help is very much appreciated and schools embrace
our volunteers wholeheartedly. Before you leave to do your placement, you'll be
provided with a mountain of information on just about everything to do with Ghana
and your placement.
Our Ghana Manager and his team will look after you well. You'll get lots of advice
about the do's and don’ts of Ghanaian culture, what to do and where to go.
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS:
Teaching is not available during school holidays, so if you're planning to participate
in a placement, please take the school term dates into account when planning the
timing of your project. During the school holidays Travellers runs a Summer Camp
for the children to give them something to do and a place to go that provides them
with food and keeps them off the street. Find more
details here.
On the other hand, if a holiday falls during your proposed placement, you could
use this time to do any independent travelling and sightseeing. Dates for the 2015
school
terms (semesters) are as follows:
- Term 1: 6th January – 9th April
- Term 2: 5th May – 30th July
- Term 3: 2nd September – 11th December.
FREE COACHING MANUALS:
As a volunteer sports coach with Travelles, you have access to a large number of
coaching manuals for each sport - these manuals have been produced in-house by Travellers
and are generally very useful in helping you to plan coaching sessions for your
students.