Sports Psychology Internship in Ghana, Accra

This internship requires you to participate for a minimum of 4 weeks. We believe an 8 week position will give both you and the athletes a lot more value. We will also need a CV from you showing at least 2 years relevant experience (ideal for university students needing a placement experience after year two of their degree course).

Sports Psychology in Ghana
Although sub-Saharan Africa is renowned for its sporting passion and its raw-talent is recognised worldwide, African nations are often hindered in their development by a lack of funding and a lack of focus. Discipline and commitment are often not sufficiently high to fulfil the phenomenal potential that regularly lies dormant in the disadvantaged communities. Goal-setting and mental preparation are ideas that are as yet unexplored and regularly results in early ambition fading into indifference. However, with the assistance of dedicated volunteers, things can change, with your role is to convert constructive criticism into sporting success.

This project is ideal for psychologists with a particular interest in sport as well as undergraduates working on university dissertation projects. You will be given an excellent platform from which to further your knowledge by working with top-level sportspeople or young African talent. This is a great opportunity for self-motivated and adventurous individuals to work in a niche area of sports development.

Your Sport Psychology Placement
The sports psychology placement is intended for volunteers who already have an academic or professional grounding in the subject. This could be a qualification such as degree-level Sports Psychology, Sports Science or another related subject. You could even use your time in Ghana to prepare a project or dissertation as part of your studies. Because psychological analysis in Ghanaian sport is a relatively new concept, experts in the field are a rarity, therefore volunteers must be independent and self-motivated to make a mark on the profession as you will be required to work independently and will subsequently get out as much from the placement as you are willing to put in. Your contribution could prove to be a unique and immensely valuable one in the progression of Ghanaian sport, as psychology in a sports environment is relatively un-heard of and misunderstood.

Your Sport Psychology Role
With the variety of sporting links we have throughout Ghana, you can be placed in the environment that best suits you. This ranges from Premier League football clubs to small local basketball teams and youth tennis clinics, and you are not limited to just one position, as you will have the option to rotate between a number of sports disciplines and environments. Participants in the sport psychology placement can let us know what they want to do before departure and a preliminary itinerary can be drawn up to cover these interests.

During your stay in Ghana, you will have the opportunity to work closely with a local football academy. This will give you the opportunity monitor the attitudes and progress of the academy players. As many aspire to be professional players in the future, they will be very receptive to any contributions you can make to their self-confidence, motivation and general understanding of the game. You will also be invited to run school classes on match-preparation and life-styling. You might want to deal with the whole team or, alternatively, work intensely with a small group of players. Either way, you will find that your relationship with these talented and ambitious boys will develop into a strong and lasting bond.

In addition to your exposure to the some top youth players, you will also have the opportunity to discuss your ideas and methods with the resident coaches, who would be happy to share their experience with you. They will also be a valuable source of information in coming to understand the character of African attitudes and cultural habits.

University Dissertations and Tailored Sport Psychology Placements in Ghana
If you are a student in a sports psychology, sports science or similar course and are able to use part of your studies to gain hands-on experience, we can make a programme that suits your needs. Furthermore, if you are already qualified, it is a perfect opportunity to gain the sought-after experience all professional employers look for. A sports psychology placement in Ghana is the ideal opportunity to gain an insight into the role of sport in the community, as well as gain a greater cultural understanding of sports development in developing nations.

International Sports Psychology Development Programme
By joining one of our sports psychology internships abroad you may be selected to join our International Sports Psychology Development Programme. Its aim is to provide ongoing sustainable input for both athletes at a grassroots to professional level whilst ensuring our sports psychologists have relevant continuous professional development.

Executed through our partnership with practising and professional sports psychologists you will be provided resources, mentorship and a framework to deliver effective sports psychology across multiple areas. This combined effort helps serve an often overlooked or privileged area of sports development whilst building a community of professionals that can share and contribute in a positive way to help athletes reach their potential on and off the field.

Criminal Records Check
We require you to complete a criminal records check in order to take part in this experience. We can accept those that have been done in the last two years if you have the certificate. In the UK it can be done through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), in the USA further details can be found on Travel.State.Gov, otherwise please search for your local service provider. We may also request a reference from a reliable source. You must supply these to us before departure and also take a copy with you to present to the in-country team.

Why do we require a criminal background check?
1) Ensuring a safe environment is conducive to learning, productivity and overall positive experiences for everyone involved.

2) We implement thorough screening processes and we are committed to safety and integrity, fostering trust among participants and the local community.

3) Conducting background checks serves as a preventive measure, deterring individuals with questionable backgrounds from attempting to participate in our programme.

4) Safeguards vulnerable people from potential harm within the programme.

You can arrive on any first or third weekend of a month to start activities on a Monday. Please try to arrive on a Sunday into Accra. We’ll pick you up from the airport and take you back to the accommodation to settle you in and meet the rest of the team.

Please note that some national holidays may cause disruption to normal sessions but our in-country team will do their best to support activities around this.

Visa
Most visitors to Ghana will require a visa to enter. We suggest you apply for a tourist visa and we will supply you with all the required information once you have booked. You can check your visa requirements by visiting the Ghana High Commission website. Please search online for details.

Everyone will also require a yellow fever vaccination to enter Ghana and a certificate to prove you have had this. We also highly advise getting malaria tablets. You should contact your doctor to discuss this further.

Optional Teaching in Ghana
In addition to your placement role, you will have the opportunity to teach classes, or assist in teaching classes, in one of the sports academies or schools based in Accra. This will give you another impacting experience while allowing you to make a difference outside the world of sport. 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), math, science, journalism, business, IT, RE and a whole variety of extra-curricular activities.

Other Options in Ghana
It is likely that there will be a whole variety of other activities you can get involved with while you are away. Because we have focused in-country teams, they will be able to inform you of other opportunities both inside and outside the capital. This gives you a unique chance to combine projects and experience the country in a whole variety of ways.

Equipment Donation for Ghana
We are dedicated to sustainable development. This is why part of the fee you pay goes towards buying decent equipment for beneficiary organisations in Ghana. You will often use this equipment during your project and it is always left with the community when you leave. In some cases, an equipment donation may not be appropriate so a financial contribution is made instead.

Social Life in Ghana
Our social life is unrivalled and we believe it is important to give volunteers the chance to unwind and have fun while they are away. Our in-country 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 visits to the best night spots, group meals, trips away and sports teams where you can to take on local competition.

Akpateshi FC
If you fancy a game of footy while you are away, or simply enjoy the social side of football, you should join our volunteer team, Akpateshi FC. This gives you the chance to play alongside the other volunteers and challenge some serious African opposition. However, although the team has a competitive edge, the emphasis is on the social side of football and is aptly named after the locally brewed bush whiskey! If you play in the team, or simply become a supporter, you will soon see why Akpateshi FC is so renowned for its unpredictable matches and fiery social life.

Travel and Adventure in Ghana
You will be encouraged to explore Ghana during your free time so you can sample some of 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 is 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 also help you build a travelling itinerary and give you plenty of advice on how to make your way through the country.

Accommodation
The accommodation is basic but comfortable and you will stay in a dormitory style room. The accommodation has a very sociable atmosphere and you will find it a great place to relax and unwind in the evenings. The accommodation is also centrally located to the placements. Shops and other useful amenities are either a short walk or taxi ride away.

Accommodation
Communal House; Basic but comfortable; Dormitory style rooms (4-10 people per room); Shared toilets and showers.

Food
3 meals a day; Basic but nutritious local foods

Airport Pick-Up
Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you are arriving early.

Training
Full project induction and local orientation given on arrival.

Support
Pre-departure help and advice; Local in-country team; 24 hour emergency support.

Flights; Travel Insurance; Visas; Vaccinations; Spending money; In country travel; Payment for transport to / from placement; Laundry service; Soft drinks and alcohol; Extra activities not on itinerary.

Preferred Duration
Interns should try to come for as long as possible preferably for 8 or 12 weeks. This ensures better management of the placement and also helps you get the most from the social activities and group travel opportunities on offer.

Typical Hours
Monday-Friday; 3-5 hours a day; This placement is for self motivated sport psychologists with participants being able to put in as many hours as they want. Please be aware that some public holidays may cause disruption to times / days during your placement.

Pre-requisites
Participants will need to be undertaking, or have taken, a psychology based degree with a keen interest in sport. Participants will need to have completed there first year of their degree qualification and have an idea of what they are aiming to achieve from the placement, which research aims and objectives, so that we create the right placement. Participants will need to be self motivated to achieve their goals, as this is an independent learning placement although you will be supported throughout.

Ideal For
Sport Psychology Work Experience in Ghana; Post-degree Psychology Placement; University Electives and Dissertations; Sports Travel in Ghana.

Suitable for ages 20 to 80

Most participants are between 20 and 25, so please be aware of this. We do welcome older people because of the value and experience they bring to the community.