Trip to The Gambia for sport students

Students studying on our Physical Education, Sport Coaching and Sport and Exercise Science  degrees have just returned from an incredible eight days in The Gambia running a Football for Peace project.

The University of Brighton’s award winning Football for Peace [F4P] coaching programme highlights the social and fraternal attributes of sport in such a way that those who participate not only develop sport specific knowledge, but most importantly also consciously adopt, practice, and endorse the fundamental principles of fair play and good citizenship. The F4P coaching programme is designed to be especially effective in areas where civil society is fragile and there are high levels of community division and social conflict.

Specifically, through participation in fair play football and rugby, F4P aims to:

• provide opportunities for social contact across community
• promote mutual
• engender in participants a desire for and commitment to peaceful
• enhance football / rugby skills and technical

Teachable moments emphasise key principles that aid in the development of good citizenship and the fair play model of sport, with the following values underpinning the work that takes place in communities.

• Equity
• Inclusion
• Respect
• Trust
• Responsibility 

The students were accompanied by principal lecturer Dr Gilly Teideman and reader Dr Tom Carter.  Gilly reflects on the trip and how the participating students, and staff, benefitted from the experience:

“Sixteen amazing students from the School of Sport and Health Sciences took part in the project and I could not be prouder; they were curious, energetic, kind, and ultimate professionals who engaged with every opportunity to learn.

“Without exception, all of us have grown as individuals, and in terms of our educational philosophies, professional identities, and cultural understanding which we will carry with us, and pass on to others.

“The first day involved ‘getting to know’ the Gambian coaches based in the four villages of Kartong, Gunjur, Medina Salem, and Berending. In 40 °C on a riverbank in western Gambia, we took part in a range of ‘off-pitch’ activities including traditional Gambian games that would be used as part of the programme with the children. A trip along the river and lunch meant our students quickly forged relationships with the coaches, began to understand cultural differences [and similarities], and the context of the work we were doing.

“For four days, Brighton students worked in each of the Gambian villages alongside the Gambian coaches. Despite it being Ramadan the excitement among the village children was immense with our transport Gellis being greeted each morning with chants of ‘Football for Peace’ and a dash to the training fields. The students helped the children to understand the values and how these could be applied both in sport and more broadly.

“Although the children mostly speak Mandinka, with the help of the Gambian coaches and through the power of demonstrations, progress was rapid. However, it can be suggested that through witnessing the children develop, our students also had time to reflect and consider their own pedagogy, principles and philosophies.

“The students also had the opportunity to visit the local schools, tour the villages, and meet Headteachers and village elders. The contrast between our lives in the UK and those of the children and families in the Gambia could not be starker; economically the children have very little, but the warmth and kindness shared [often through impromptu singing and dancing] could not be richer.

“The programme concludes with a festival where children from each of the communities join to participate in teams made up of players from each village. Here the values are tested, and it was a complete joy seeing how well the children interacted, supported each other, and forged cross-community bonds through the application of the values learned throughout the coaching sessions.

“However, the experience reaches beyond the sports field and the relationships that have been built with members of the community can not be underestimated. During our visit Ollie Brown celebrated his 22^nd birthday and during an evening meal at the ‘High Five’ restaurant in Gunjur [where the chef is Sebo, one of the F4P coaches] he was presented with a cake to celebrate.

“Also, during our stay, a nine-year-old girl who had been attending the coaching sessions at Kartong was tragically hit by a vehicle and died one evening. As members of ‘their’ community we were invited to attend the burial and women’s wake; this was a privilege and humbling experience that underscored how important F4P is to our Gambian partners.

“The welcome we received throughout our visit was exceptional; in a post-COVID world our presence was truly appreciated, expressed in both actions and words by the owner and family of Tamba Kurumba Eco Lodge. Each of our students have their own memories and adventures to share; whether it is Hannah and Emily who rose early to help make breakfast, Ollie and Arnie who went to the local gym with the oldest brothers, trips to the local markets, learning to dance ‘Gambian style’ in the evenings, or some well-deserved downtime on the beach.

“This was a magical trip, with a group of exceptional students, as part of a unique project that has impact and represents the University of Brighton at its best on a global scale.”

Learn more about studying a sport-related degree at the University of Brighton.