Students developing football and peace in the Gambia

Nineteen Brighton students spent 12 days in The Gambia delivering the Football for Peace (F4P) programme.

The students, studying Physical Education BA(Hons) with QTS and Sport and Exercise Science BSc(Hons), worked alongside our Gambian partners and used a values-based coaching methodology to emphasise through ‘teachable moments’ the values that underpin F4P:

• Equity
• Inclusion
• Respect
• Trust
• Responsibility

The trip was lead by Principal Lecturer, Dr Gillian Teideman, who said: “I could not be prouder of our students who demonstrated the attributes that make Brighton graduates so special; they were curious, energetic, kind, and ultimate professionals who engaged with every opportunity to learn.”

Student PE teacher Molly said: “You go to Gambia thinking it won’t change you that much. But you return to reality realising that a short trip makes you see life so differently and appreciate the little things so much more.”

Fellow student Emily said: “This trip was incredibly eye opening and completely alters your perspective on situations. I have always liked to think that I am grateful, however this experience allowed me to feel grateful.”

Dr Tiedeman shares her account of the trip:

The first day was spent on a dusty riverbank ‘getting to know’ the Gambian coaches based in the four Kombo South communities. We took part in a range of ‘off-pitch’ activities and learned many traditional Gambian games that would be used when working with the children. A boat ride along the Senegambia River spotting birdlife, crocodiles and a well-deserved lunch helped to forge relationships and begin to understand the cultural and religious identities [Muslim, Christian or Traditional African] that distinguish each village, and to learn some basic Mandinka or Jola words.

The start of our trip coincided with Eid-al-Fitr affording opportunity to observe the end of Ramadan celebrations, explore Kartong, and attend a local football match during the public holiday. Students set about planning training sessions collaboratively working with the Gambian coaches to share pedagogic methods, learn the skills needed for sustainable delivery, and develop understanding of the cultural and financial constraints that shape practice.

Teams of coaches then spent five days working in one of the five villages. Excitement among the children was immense with our transport being greeted each morning with chants of ‘Football for Peace’ and a dash to the training fields. Working on sand in intense heat for four hours each day, the students helped the children to understand the F4P values and how these could be applied both in sport and more broadly. With the help of the Gambian coaches and through the power of demonstrations, progress was rapid, and by witnessing the children develop, our students also had time to reflect and consider their own pedagogy, principles and philosophies.

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. The children are entrusted to apply F4P values in how they award points, recognising and acknowledging the qualities embodied in their peers rather than judging an individual based on their background. It was a complete joy seeing how well the children interacted, supported each other, and forged cross-community bonds.

During our stay students undertook classroom teaching in their village schools, visited the Gunjur Special Educational Needs School, Kartong Health Clinic, and met Village Elders. Education is a valued commodity and interviews with school Headteachers underlined the desire to develop the F4P partnership further through teacher training, extended placements for Brighton students, community engagement, and diversification beyond sport to include primary, SEND and health education.

Throughout our visit we were given the warmest of welcomes and it was wonderful to return to Tamba Kurumba Lodge, where Lamin, Ishia and family embrace us like long-lost friends. Our students took every opportunity to learn and engage with this transformative experience [often through the medium of Gambian dance] and have made friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.

Find out about studying sport and exercise at the University of Brighton.