to achieving excellence in football , academic work and leadership : self-discipline , passion , initiative , and integrity , social intelligence , giving back and winning . These are central to everything which takes place at RtD , be it in football , the classroom or any aspect of everyday life . The traits are woven through the school curriculum , for example , lessons and football training sessions contain a character focus as well as a learning objective . Each term a focus day , involving guest speakers and special activities , is held to address one of the character traits . Short and long-term projects are also undertaken – often seeking to identify and address a need within the local community - to provide opportunities for the students to put the character traits into practice .
RtD believes that this programme should be as practical as possible . It is based on experiential learning , to enable the growth of well-rounded individuals who will go on to achieve notable success in their lives and be known as people of great character , positively influencing the lives of those around them .
The game
Not surprisingly strong emphasis is placed on the technical development of the talented athletes who make up the school roll . The football programme comprises four squads ( U11 , U13 , U15 and U18 ) each of which undertakes between 12 and 18 hours of training time per week depending on age . This includes technical work , tactical work , personal training , position-specific training , matches ,
“ Seven key character traits have been identified as fundamental building blocks ”
conditioning work , co-ordination and stabilization work and classroom-based activities including video analysis and football based discussions .
Games are organized against high quality local junior teams , West African academies and junior national teams . RtD teams travel regularly to Europe to compete in tournaments against the best youth teams in the world , which is of key importance for their development .
Para-athletes
Selected players also have the opportunity to travel to elite European teams for training attachments , experiencing and learning from the different football and lifestyle cultures on offer .
As the boys ’ football programme is now solidly established RtD is beginning work on other talent programmes . In 2012 it worked with an elite squad of four Ghanaian para-athletes in the lead up to the London Paralympic Games . The work was done in conjunction with local sporting bodies , including the National Paralympic Committee . A specialist programme of support comprising , among other elements , equipment , training , sports science , nutrition , lifestyle and competition support was developed to enable each of the four to reach their full potential .
This was Ghana ’ s strongest ever presence at a Paralympic Games . Anita Fordjour finished seventh in the Women ’ s T53 ( wheelchair )
For more information about Right to Dream :
Website : http :// academy . righttodream . com Facebook : www . facebook . com / righttodream Pinterest : http :// pinterest . com / righttodream / football / Twitter : @ right2dream
100m , Charles Narh Teye came ninth with a lift of 140kg in the Men ’ s PO 67.50kg category powerlift , Alem Mumuni picked up sixteenth place in the C2 cycling time trial while Raphael Nkegbe Botsyo just missed out on a place in the Men ’ s T54 ( wheelchair ) 100m final .
These athletes are now helping to inspire the next generation of young athletes with disabilities and to educate the wider population . RtD ’ s long-term goal is to establish a youth para-sport programme .
RtD is non-profit making and a registered charity in Ghana , the UK & the US . It receives sponsorship support from Nike , Aviance , the Hull Blyth Group , PHC Motors , Pippa ’ s Fitness and Mantrac .
As of 2012 over 90 children had graduated from RtD . They followed a variety of pathways after leaving the Academy . Thirty-eight graduates were awarded full scholarships to leading universities , private boarding schools and colleges in the US and the UK while another seven signed professional contracts for international football clubs . Other RtD graduates either train or work within the sports industry or have secured contracts with Ghanaian Premier League clubs .
RtD summarizes its work in four words : ethical , opportunity , excellence and sustainability . No matter what pathway they pursue , however , all RtD graduates are expected to help others achieve their dreams and contribute to the development of their country and continent . This really is changing lives through sport !
“ 38 graduates have been awarded full scholarships to leading universities ”
10 Oil city magazine
Right : Two RtD students were members of the national U17 team which beat South Africa 2-1 at Sekondi Stadium in December thereby qualifying for the U17 Africa Cup of Nations Tournament in April . On the following day the RtD U18 team played a local side at the Stadium defeating them 4-1 .