Neball and football teams from Chesham High in Buckinghamshire UK have completed their first ever sports tour to Ghana

Chesham High decided to travel to Ghana as part of the school's international partnership with Brenu Akyinim School in Ghana, which is faciliatated by Sabre Charitable Trust.

"It has been the best tour I have ever been on in 20 yrs of teaching," says Gail Maishman, Director of Sport at Chesham High School.  Ms Maishman was impressed by the commitment her pupils showed to every aspect of the event.

"Our pupils made new friends, shared new games and songs - the whole experience had the 'wow' factor every day.  This is an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives."

The first international fixture took place against Edisec Senior School in Elmina. 
 
The entire population of Elmina turned up to watch the Ghana and England contests at the local pitch, S.S NIT park.



The Chesham girls netball teams won 12-4 and 5-2.  Football was hotly contested 1-1 draw.

Both UK and Ghanaian teams rose to the challenges the tour posed.

During a week of fixtures, the touring side from the UK struggled with the heat.     

The Ghanaian district fielded netball teams who had learnt the rules in order to compete with the Chesham High and were only playing their second competitive match.  
 
Chesham pupils who had been training as young sports coaches also coached teams at their twin school and ran a tournament for several local schools.

How did they do this?

Read the Chesham High School sports tour blog for a blow by blow account of their matches in the words of the teams.

Chesham High School in Buckinghamshire is twinned with Brenu Akyinim School in KEEA, Ghana. Their partnership is facilitated by Sabre Trust.

Teacher Gail Maishman recommends sport as an element in school partnerships.   "Sport is a perfect vehicle to help build new relationships and develop the school partnership," she writes.  "Playing matches to share our skills and coaching to help develop practice, knowledge and understanding, which can then lead to an interest in learning and a want to better yourself."

Chesham High School also used the Sports tour to raise awareness of their partnerships locally, working with primary schools to give harvest assemblies with Ghana a focus.   Since returning, pupils have raised around £1400 to support new and current projects through Sabre Trust.

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