For Callum, football has always been more than just a game, it’s been a compass, guiding him through the twists and turns of life. Now volunteering in Ghana with Project Trust, his story is one of resilience, rediscovery, and the profound impact a year of volunteering can have on rebuilding confidence and restoring lost passions.
Callum’s love for football was born in the back garden, playing with his two older brothers. After moving to Scotland in 2010, he joined a club to learn the basics, and by age six, he was proudly standing between the posts as a goalkeeper. For seven years, he dedicated himself to his first team, where football was both a passion and a source of stability.
A pivotal moment came when he was scouted by a more competitive team after impressing a coach during a school match. Callum made the leap, encouraged by supportive coaches and his proven skills on the pitch. This transition marked his first lesson in stepping out of his comfort zone, a theme that would echo throughout his journey.
In 2021, Callum faced a period of instability, moving between two teams in just six months. The uncertainty led him to question his future in football. However, a teammate introduced him to refereeing, and in October 2022, Callum officiated his first match. Instantly, he was hooked. Refereeing not only kept him connected to the sport he loved but also provided a newfound sense of purpose and ability to earn a wage from what he loved.
Yet, football had more trials in store. In 2023, after struggling with limited playtime in a new under-20s team, Callum faced an even greater setback, he dislocated his shoulder just 10 minutes into the match. The injury left him feeling helpless, unable to play or referee, the very activities that had kept his passion for the sport alive. Callum was told that if he didn’t have surgery to stabilise his shoulder he would never play football again.
The road to recovery was both physical and mental. Surgery was inevitable, and Callum approached it with determination, knowing it was the key to reclaiming his passion. Though the recovery sidelined him from refereeing temporarily, his resilience never wavered.
Arriving in Ghana marked a turning point. Eager to reconnect with football, Callum quickly found a new home with the Kickers, a local team that welcomed him with open arms. Back on the pitch, he rediscovered not just his skills but also his strength and confidence in the sport. A fun fact about his new team, Kickers FC, is that one of their former players, Terry Yegbe, was born in their town Akatsi, represented the Kickers in his youth, and is now playing internationally for Ghana.
The friendships he’s formed and the mentorship from his Coach Alex, fondly known as ‘The Don’ have been instrumental in his journey.
Below: (Left) Callum with his country group
(Right) and with Coach Alex on the left.
Callum’s story is more than just a tale of sports and setbacks. It’s a testament to the transformative power of volunteering with Project Trust. Through his year in Ghana so far, he’s not only rebuilt his relationship with football but also rediscovered parts of himself he thought were lost. His journey shows that sometimes, stepping away from the familiar and immersing yourself in a new environment can be the most profound path to personal growth and empowerment.
Find our more about Volunteering in Ghana here
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