Gary Mountain took a career break to coach football in Ghana - now he lives and works there full time. He tells us his story...

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Career break as football coach Name: Gary Mountain Hometown: Previously Nottingham, now Accra, Ghana! Hi Gary, how’s Ghana treating you? I’m good thanks - Ghana is as wonderful as ever, the weather is great and the people are amazing! You won't find a friendlier place on the planet... Quite an unusual story about how you came to live out there... we hear it all started with a gap year project? Well I originally came out to Ghana on a three month football project with GAP SPORTS around three years ago on a career break. Now I live and work in Ghana looking after the volunteers for GAP SPORTS! So what initially made you decide to take part in a gap year placement coaching football? I was the 27 when I first came out to Ghana. The reason behind it was that I was disillusioned in my job and fancied a break. Three months coaching talented footballers in Africa seemed as good an idea as any! I had played a lot of football to a half-decent level in the past, so hoped I would be able to pass on some skills and tactical knowledge to Ghanaian youngsters. What was the best thing about the project? I was coaching my own team whilst in Ghana, acting as head coach to an U17 team called Shakka FC based in Labadi, one of the poorest areas of Accra. It was great to go every afternoon and know the boys would turn up keen to learn from their new coach. It wasn’t easy, and it took time to win the kids over but by the end I had earned their respect and could see them adopting some of the things we had worked hard on. Working with the boys was the best thing about the project; knowing they had accepted me and looked forward to our sessions was very rewarding - but hard work too! What was the best thing about being in Ghana? The people. Ghanaians are truly the friendliest people on the planet. Anywhere you go, any time of day, you can rest assured that people will help you out and be happy to see you. The whole laidback attitude of Ghana can be frustrating but I like to think I have adapted to it now. Na twi (relax, no worries) is my new adopted attitude! What was the day to day routine like on your football placement? Whilst on placement I lived on a compound with 16 young footballers. In the morning I would leave the house at 6am to train with them, which would in turn help me to hone my limited skills! After training, I would go and teach English to a small girl in another part of Accra. Then in the afternoon at around 3pm, I'd arrive in Labadi and coach my U17 team. I would get back to the house at around 7pm when it would be time for a few beers or an early night. What did you get out of the project? I am not sure that the coaching taught me anything new, but being in Ghana was an eye-opener. You see people living in complete poverty but they are so happy with life. A real antidote to western consumer-based living! How did you feel when you left Ghana for the first time? To be honest I was very ready to see my girlfriend Amber when I left. She had stayed in the UK whilst I was on my placement and I had missed her a lot. I was sad to leave the GAP SPORTS family in Ghana but was ready for some cold weather! So, you got back to the UK and then what..? Well I knew pretty much straightaway that I wanted to spend a few more years in Ghana. But as Amber was in the middle of her PGCE to become an Art teacher, we waited for her to graduate and to complete a year of teaching in the UK before making the plunge to return to Ghana. What’s your current job and what are your main responsibilities? Currently my role is Volunteer Co-ordinator. I am fully responsible for the GAP SPORTS volunteers whilst they are over in Ghana. Everything from organising and administrating placements (which can be a major headache here!) to advising volunteers on the best places to travel or organising a night out at a Ghanaian restaurant or nightclub. What's day-to-day life like now? My working day can differ greatly depending on the time of year. Just prior to the volunteers coming out and in their first few weeks, I am extremely busy organising placements and ensuring that things run smoothly. Once this hectic period is over, it becomes slightly more relaxed, I am at the compound for maybe three hours a day and the spend the rest of the time visiting placements. Does the style of football in Ghana differ much to that found in England? Football here is certainly more skilful than in the UK. All of the players have great first touches and love to dribble. However, their tactical awareness and long passing is not great and the shooting is pretty rubbish! The two-footed tackle also seems to be the norm in Ghana. We have a staff and volunteer team called Akpeteshie FC which plays the locals once or twice a week. Fortunately, we win more than we lose! Can coaching sports can make a difference in the lives of others? I do think it can make a real difference. The coaching and facilities here are certainly second rate, but the talent and enthusiasm is first class. Take the Champions League Final this year - three of the players were from West Africa, with two graduating from an academy in the Ivory Coast. Our football coaches work closely with a first class academy based in Ghana and any talented players who impress the volunteer coaches can go for a trial. As well as this type of opportunity, there is also a cultural exchange. Our volunteers help young Ghanaians to have a better understanding of the World by getting to know people from an entirely different background. Do you need to be the second Pele to coach football overseas? Pele would be great, we need some decent players for Akpeteshie FC! But seriously, you don’t need qualifications and you don’t need to be the best player in the World. What you do need is enthusiasm, a love for the game and patience. The kids here are fantastic, however sometimes games and training can be cancelled at short notice or start three hours late. However, this is just Africa and you simply have to relax and go with it. What tips would you give anyone heading overseas to coach sports this summer? Bring your boots as you’ll be playing lots of sports - we have football, hockey and basketball games on a regular basis and we are always willing to take anyone on at any sport. Tips would be to come prepared, know a few drills that you want to use and prepare sessions around these. Bring as much equipment as you can. Anything is appreciated out here; balls, bibs, cones, nets, boots, kits are all in short supply. Anything you bring out can be used to help your own team or others in the communities we work in. What’s the best thing about living in Ghana and do you miss anything about the UK? Best things are the beach, the weather, cheap beer and friendly people. The things I miss most about the UK are family and friends. But mainly maple and pecan crunch cereal... Finally, be honest, what do you think of Sven’s World Cup squad? I think Theo Walcott is a bold choice. I wouldn’t mind taking him if Rooney and Owen were fit but at the moment with those pair not 100%, it looks like Crouch is our number one striker. Not the strike force of World Champions! I'm just looking hoping Rooney can win it for us. Other than that, I’m dreaming of an England vs Ghana final! Click here >> for football placements in Ghana with GAPSPORTS Click here >> for £300 off football coaching overseas if you book before World Cup Final day! Click here >> for all GAP SPORTS placements Click here >> for more Ghana information Click here >> for more information on career breaks