Students and staff from Middlesex University have travelled to Africa, as part of a project to support budding athletes in the Gambia.

During the 10-day trip, the students – who are all qualified sports coaches – worked intensively with local volunteers who run and manage local teams.

They showed them a more structured approach to training which could lead to greater success on the sports pitch or on the athletics track.

And they hope the project – designed by the University in conjunction with the Gambian Ministry of Youth and Sport - will make a real difference to the number of people who play sport in the area, as well as the standard they reach.

Middlesex University’s Head of Sport and Recreation Mel Parker, who led the trip to Banjul, said: “In the Gambia we worked with a group of community leaders who work with local sports teams.

“They had had no formal sports leadership training, but wanted to learn how to help raise the standards of sports performance in their communities.

“So during the four-day course we introduced them to the principles of fitness, the ways to structure a training session, health and safety and basic first aid. And we hope that will make a real difference to their success in the future.”

Mr Parker says the project reflects the University’s successful coaching programme, where Middlesex students can qualify as sports coaches in return for delivering coaching sessions in local schools.

The students who took part were all trained sports coaches and had experience of coaching in schools and community settings in North London.

He said: “At Middlesex we give students the chance to complete a coaching course. And in return they have to deliver some voluntary sports coaching in local schools.

“It’s always great to get students involved in volunteering activities – whether in the Gambia or around the university.

“Our students benefited hugely from this project, which has broadened their horizons and given them a real insight into a different way of life and culture.”

The training focussed on football, athletics, rugby and hockey. And when they returned home, the students – who funded the trip through running a series of fund-raising events – left behind sports equipment worth more than £1,000.

Now plans are already being drawn up for a further visit to the Gambia next year.

Mr Parker said: “In organising this trip and delivering this course, we have had to overcome many challenges. But to see the reaction of the participants and our students has made it worthwhile.

“We hope that this is just the start of a lasting and fruitful relationship.”

Earlier this year the University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Gambian Ministry of Youth and Sport. And the delivery of the sports leadership courses reflected the needs identified within it.

There are hopes that the links will continue to strengthen and there are plans for the trip to become an annual event.