Volta Int. Sports Academy Building Improvements

Volta International Sports Academy (VISA)


Funding Proposal

 

Background of Volta International Sports Academy

Volta International Sports Academy (VISA) in Ghana, West Africa was established in December 2012 by the vision and drive of Ishmael Kwasi Amegatsey. The academy specialises in football, training both boys and girls between the ages of 7 & 17 years. The academy was set up to provide a safe environment for talented/gifted footballers to develop their talents but also focussing on their education to provide alternative career paths other than sports. VISA is a residential academy at Tsibu Awudome in the Volta Region of Accra and boasts 85 boys grouped into 4 age groups for training and development purposes. VISA’s vision is to transform lives and develop future leaders in whatever field they choose. The ethos of VISA is to tap into the raw footballing talents of the surrounding areas, developing and shaping their formative years in both football and education in a caring and supportive setting. Most of the children that have been selected to join VISA have not benefited from a stable education. VISA aims to provide this for the children, creating a professional pathway and enhancing their opportunities to fulfil their ambitions.

VISA’s objectives are as follows:

1.       To scout and develop talented individuals by providing a full residential scholarship with quality training in a fun and caring environment along with full education at local schools.

2.       To nurture them to reach their highest potential in sport whilst enabling them to excel in education.

3.       Provide a unique opportunity and pathway to becoming first team players and leaders on or off the pitch.

4.       To use sports to eradicate the negative social vices that can grip the lives of many of the youth today.

                         
Two videos have been incorporated below to give you a flavour of how the boys train and what VISA has done for them.

 
Funding Considerations

Over the years, VISA have done a remarkable job on the infrastructure of the academy, providing safe, clean and functional accommodation; use of adequate playing facilities and equipment for the young athletes. However, in order to progress to the next level and elevate the children’s sporting abilities, it is important to provide class leading accommodation and playing facilities. With this in mind, VISA are looking for community investment or charitable donations to assist them in their vision and objectives. The bar chart below shows the regular annual spending patterns which are currently funded by the founders of VISA through huge sacrifices utilising cash generated from employment. This covers paying for coaching staff, other staff (catering), schooling, food/water, transportation, utilities and general maintenance. However, this is on an irregular basis at times due to cashflow constraints.

 The first phase of development consists of the upgrade to the accommodation along with funds to cover some of the ongoing costs. Funding for ongoing costs will be used to manage the shortfall sometimes experienced. The funds required for the accommodation upgrade covers the costs for a new ceiling, painting, doors, luver glasses and tiling, plumbing work and other materials needed to improve the living conditions. The expectation is that the first phase will be completed in approximately 6mths from receipt of funds. The second phase of the development is being assessed but will focus on the playing facilities and equipment needs. The founders would like to build trust by communicating regularly with those who have contributed and to show how progress is being made with updates before launching another campaign for the second phase.

 
Development – First Phase
£ Pounds Sterling
Accommodation improvements
8,000
Ongoing running costs – contribution
4,500
Total
12,500
 

Please see the pictures of the current accommodation for the academy.
 

Control & Governance

It is imperative that the funds obtained from community investment and charitable donations are invested properly. IQ Blue Services (Accountancy Services Firm, managed by an accountant with over 20yrs UK experience) will be added to the bank signatories and act as Director of Finance to ensure the funds are controlled and used appropriately. As mentioned previously, regular updates will be posted to show how the improvements are progressing, giving comfort to those who have invested.