A Livingston basketball player is travelling 8000 miles to coach the sport - in Livingstone.
Stirling University player Stewart Kerr is heading off to Zambia in early June for eight weeks during which time he’ll be part of a basketball coaching programme.
Based primarily in the capital city of Lusaka, the 22-year-old, will get to travel across the country including spending some time in Livingstone, which is situated near the famous Victoria Falls.
Stewart, who played for his local West Lothian Wolves side prior to heading off to university, said he jumped at the opportunity after hearing stories from a pal’s trip last year.
The final year business studies student commented: “I had two pals on the university basketball team who did it last year - it’s called The Wallace Group Project who work with an organisation called Sport in Action in Zambia.
“Both of them absolutely loved it. I thought you went over there to coach local kids but you’re actually coaching the coaches with the idea being that when you leave, all that you’ve passed on stays there and they can build on that and it helps to develop the sport.
“They both thought it was absolutely brilliant - one did basketball and one did netball - and chatting to them about it made me realise that I wanted to have that experience.”
He added: “They said it was life-changing. I’m in my final year at uni so this felt like the last time I might have the chance and I couldn’t turn it down.
“I’m really looking forward to it. We travel to different places throughout the country but our main bases are in Lusaka and funnily enough Livingstone.
“I couldn’t believe it when I looked at the programme and realised I’d be travelling half the way round the world only to end up in Livingstone. But we’re all across the country. It should be a great experience.”
He’ll be heading out on June 3 and remaining in Zambia until August 3. While it’s a packed schedule, Stewart says he’ll get plenty of down time to explore the country.
He said: “I’ve never been anywhere for eight weeks before and it’s the first time I’ve been to Africa.
“I started playing basketball when I was in P7 and could never have thought I’d get the opportunities that I have through the sport. I’ve been able to play for Scotland and travel abroad but this will be pretty special. I can’t wait to get over there.
“I think I’m pretty much working 9-5 Monday to Friday and then getting a couple of days off to explore. It will be interesting because I’ve been told about a thing called ‘Zambian time’.
“It seems to be a pretty relaxed culture over there where sometimes your 8.30 bus doesn’t turn up until 10.30 so we’ll see how that goes!
“The programme will be brilliant but being able to explore the country will be a great opportunity.”
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