The Clubs

 

Brighton and Hove Albion FC

Darren Teague

“I feel this will be a life changing experience for both myself and the other coaches and young people taking part in the project.

It’s even more exciting as we are involved in the pilot scheme and we will be leading the way for other football coaches to follow. It is something I am really proud and honoured to be part of.”

Pre-departure Interview

1. Why did you agree to be part of this initiative?

I have always wanted to go to Africa and work on a project such as this, since being approached by a colleague several years ago with a view to setting up something similar.

Having worked in football for over 10 years, as a coach and football development officer, it adds a new dimension to what I’ve already been doing and achieved, so will also greatly benefit my own development.

2. What do you hope to gain from taking part in the initiative?

As well as the above, it will be fantastic to be able to help others by using the skills I’ve obtained through football. It will be a great opportunity to work with other coaches from the other football clubs delivering coach education and football coaching sessions. I know this will be a real eye opener to the social and economic problems faced by people in Burkina Faso every day and some things will be shocking to see. However, being a part of something as fantastic as this will be so rewarding for all involved.

3. What is your biggest worry about the project/going to Africa?

The time scale. However, in saying that I know the experience of the coaches involved and the knowledge and experience of the staff organising the project will make it work.

4. What do you envisage the main differences to be between coaching in the UK and in Burkina?

Coaching demonstration will have to be done on a more visual basis rather than Q&A or other coaching styles. Also the heat and facilities will have to be adapted to.

5. How do you intend to communicate with the coaches?

We have already made contact with QPR and Hull by email. Out in Africa we will use a lot of visual demonstration, broken French and interpreters.

6. What are your expectations of Burkina Faso?

I am really excited about seeing the cultural differences in Burkina Faso and to get a first hand view of the issues facing people out there. Having children myself I am quite anxious about seeing how poverty affects the young and vulnerable.

Other than that I have a very open mind and I am really looking forward to the experience.

David Jupp

“I am really excited to be involved with Coaching for Hope because I hope that I will be part of a project that could change Burkina Faso or help change peoples’ lives.”

Pre-departure Interview

1. Why did you agree to be part of this initiative?

Because I would like to be able to pass on some of my skills to foreign countries who are less fortunate than we are in the UK.

I also think it will be a valuable learning experience for everyone involved.

2. What do you hope to gain from taking part in the initiative?

I hope to be able to pass on my expertise so that others may benefit from the game of Football.

I also hope I will gain experience in coaching in a foreign Country, learn how to cope with language barriers, and learn how to adapt because of lack of facilities and equipment.

My main aim is that I want the children to enjoy and learn, as well as the other coaches.

3. What is your biggest worry about the project/going to Africa?

I’m not that particularly worried, the only concern I have is the health factors for myself and other coaches within the project. I’ve already had 6 injections and I’ve got 2 more to go!!!!!

4. What do you envisage the main differences to be between coaching in the UK and in Burkina?

Facilities, equipment, culture, lifestyle, language and general approach to the game.

5. How do you intend to communicate with the coaches?

With as much demonstration as possible. If not, then a poor attempt at French. Final resort – Interpreter!!!

6. Have you been to Africa before? If so where, and how do you expect it to be different this time?

I have been to Tunisia / Algeria before. Because it is work, I expect to see the real Africa, rather than the tourist and more pleasant parts of the Country.

7. What are your expectations of Burkina Faso?

I don’t have any expectations to be honest. If you arrive with expectations then your first impression tends to be negative, so I’ll be open to it and try to enjoy it while I’m over there.

Jacob Naish

“This experience will change the lives of young people in Burkina Faso for the better. Being involved in this should be extremely rewarding, and lay the foundations for greater participation and access to football for young people in Burkina Faso. Also, I think it’s great that sexual health awareness is going to be raised during this project, due to the improved living standards that this can facilitate.”

Pre-departure Interview

1. Why did you agree to be part of this initiative?

My interest in development in Africa goes back to when I started my degree in Development Studies at Sussex. When I heard about Coaching for Hope, it sounded like an ideal way for me to combine this interest with my work of the last 2½ years; which is coaching football! A lot of my coaching experience has been with socially excluded young people in England and I want to see what I can offer young people in Africa

2. What do you hope to gain from taking part in the initiative?

The experience will be fantastic for both my confidence and career. I will probably learn a lot from my colleagues and the project itself. However, more importantly, I hope to gain a feeling that this project has, in some way, improved the lives of the young people taking part.

3. What is your biggest worry about the project/going to Africa?

This will, I expect, be completely different from any experience I have had, either in a developing country or in my coaching career. Although I am aware of the shock this will be to my system, I am confident that the team will pull together to deal with any problems.

The language barrier will be a problem, but we are all polishing up our French.

4. What do you envisage the main differences to be between coaching in the UK and in Burkina?

Levels of poverty and social exclusion are likely to be far more pronounced in Burkina, Obviously, the language and communication techniques used will have to be adjusted and refined for these circumstances. Most likely, visual communication will have to be used to communicate points and techniques.

5. How do you intend to communicate with the coaches?

As well as any contact before the trip, I imagine that careful planning will take place between the UK coaches. With the African coaches, as much “demonstration” coaching as possible will be used, with a bit of sketchy French.

6. What are your expectations of Burkina Faso?

I expect it to be very poor, with young people and women disproportionately affected by poverty. However, I expect there to be networks of support where people help each other.

I expect agriculture to be the dominant form of subsistence and I expect this to be an extremely vulnerable and uncertain way of life for those people participating in it.

 

Queens Park Rangers FC

Andy Evans

“I believe the time spent in Burkina Faso will be rewarding for the participants. It will add to the quality of their lives and the coaches will also benefit from the experience. This is also the first opportunity I have had of experiencing football outside of Europe/UK.”

Pre-departure Interview

1. Why did you agree to be part of this initiative?

As a Community Development Professional I am extremely interested in contributing to a Community in need in Burkina Faso. To coach and pass on knowledge in a challenging environment which will also be very rewarding was too good an opportunity to miss.

2. What do you hope to gain from taking part in the initiative?

To understand the needs of the local community whilst be part of a project that is innovative and will have a long lasting impact on the young people we will work with.

We hope to use the project as part of our PR and International Community Outreach profile.

3. What is your biggest worry about the project/going to Africa?

The heat, mossies and the language.

4. What do you envisage the main differences to be between coaching in the UK and in Burkina?

The lack of proper football facilities and the language barrier.

5. How do you intend to communicate with the coaches?

Through practical demonstrations and some translated written materials.

6. Have you been to Africa before? If so where, and how do you expect it to be different this time?

No

7. What are your expectations of Burkina Faso?

I imagine it to be a poor country with third world conditions but an enormous passion for football.

Steve Quashie

"I am going to thoroughly enjoy working with an organisation which delivers projects for the right reasons."

Pre-departure Interview

1. Why did you agree to be part of this initiative?

When performing daily working duties, I get enormous job satisfaction. Once I knew I had the opportunity to work with people in the ‘Motherland’ I agreed without hesitation. Africa is a part of the world I have always hoped to visit; working with less fortunate people in a third world country is a fresh and exciting challenge.

2. What do you hope to gain from taking part in the initiative?

Having a positive effect on people’s lives will give me wonderful satisfaction.

I also hope to further my knowledge of coaching football to different groups and I am certain I will have a better understanding of life.

3. What is your biggest worry about the project/going to Africa?

My only worry is becoming ill in a country which has limited health service supplies.

4. What do you envisage the main differences to be between coaching in the UK and in Burkina?

When coaching and tutoring in the UK, I have the luxury of working with people who regularly wear excellent clothing and equipment. The facilities I use are of the highest quality with very comfortable surroundings.

I know Burkina will not be as luxurious as the UK however I am confident the groups in Burkina and I will have a wonderful experience.

5. How do you intend to communicate with the coaches?

With the use of visual aids and trying my very best to speak French!

6. What are your expectations of Burkina Faso?

So long as I have a bed and washing facilities I will be happy.

 

Hull City FC

Michael Richardson

“Coaching for Hope provides a great experience for UK coaches and children in Burkina Faso.”

Pre-departure Interview

1. Why did you agree to be part of this initiative?

I thought a visit to West Africa would be a great opportunity for me to see and experience a different culture.

2. What do you hope to gain from taking part in the initiative?

A fantastic experience and knowledge on how football is perceived in a developing country.

3. What is your biggest worry about the project/going to Africa?

Going to a country which is nothing like anywhere I have ever been before.

4. What do you envisage the main differences to be between coaching in the UK and in Burkina?

The standard of life and educational methods.

5. How do you intend to communicate with the coaches?

Through lots of enthusiasm and demonstration.

6. What are your expectations of Burkina Faso?

A very poor standard of living and poverty.

Dan O’Keeffe

“I can’t wait to visit Burkina Faso, it’s a place I would never have imagined going to. I am looking forward to the chance to put some smiles on faces and giving something back to people less fortunate. It’s going to be an eye opening experience.”

Pre-departure Interview

1. Why did you agree to be part of this initiative?

The opportunity to visit and learn about another country/culture. I also want to try and help others who do not get many opportunities

2. What do you hope to gain from taking part in the initiative?

Through Coaching for Hope I will be helping others less fortunate than myself. I hope to feel that I’ve done something which in a small way may touch someone’s life.

3. What is your biggest worry about the project/going to Africa?

The psychological side of the visit, seeing how people live in Burkina Faso. The difference between what they have and what we have is going to be huge, it’s hard to even begin to image it in the UK.

4. What do you envisage the main differences to be between coaching in the UK and in Burkina?

The language, the heat and the conditions.

5. How do you intend to communicate with the coaches?

With difficulty! We will use the language of football and lots of demonstrations.

6. What are your expectations of Burkina Faso?

I’m not really sure. I know it is the third poorest country in the world, so their way of life will be totally different to ours in the UK.

Steve Rutter, The FA

 

Pre-departure Interview

Coaching for Hope provides a wonderful opportunity to visit, work in, and hopefully help to develop, (in a small way) a country that I would probably never have visited had it not been for this project.

1. Why did you agree to be part of this initiative?

The challenge of working in an unfamiliar environment, but in an area of occupational competence that I enjoy.

2. What do you hope to gain from taking part in the initiative?

I hope to develop my knowledge base around coaching within unfamiliar environments and develop a greater understanding of the economy, basic ecology and social norms of life in Mali.

3. What do you envisage the main differences to be between coaching in the UK and in Burkina?

Language, resources, equipment and knowledge base.

4. How do you intend to communicate with the coaches?

Verbally – through an interpreter

Visually – video/DVD/tactics board and demonstration

Kinetically – through student participation

5. What are your expectations of Mali?

Socially – a third world infrastructure and some unfamiliar social norms

Professionally – a terrific enthusiasm for the work we undertake