WANDERLUST is a prevalent theme during a conversation with Frazer Robertson. It explains why he chose to leave a steady job as a coach within St Mirren’s reputable youth system four years ago to move to Ghana.

That desire to explore new places is also a feeling shared by the group of teenage boys and girls he now trains at the Right to Dream academy, some of whom have travelled from all over Africa to take up residence at the sprawling complex perched on the banks of the River Volga.

Most will spread their wings again come the end of their apprenticeship, some moving to the United States on a university sports scholarship and then into Major League Soccer, others ending up in Europe to pursue a football career there.

“Among our former players there are around 40 professionals spread all across Europe in different leagues at all different levels,” revealed Robertson.“We also have around the same number who went to America to finish high school, then went to university and some then moved to MLS. When Chicago Fire and Minnesota United played each other recently, all the goals were scored by Right to Dream graduates.”

First, though, to Robertson himself. After three years as football development officer at St Mirren and then a further four as the club’s assistant head of youth development, the summer of 2013 presented an opportunity for him to take a radically different career path. Many would have balked at the idea of moving to west Africa but it was something Robertson was open to.

“The technical director at the academy, Gareth Henderby, is also from Scotland and I met him eight years ago when we did our B coaching license together,” he explained. “We kept in contact and then in May 2013 he told me they were looking for someone and I decided to go for it.

“I would never have thought Ghana would be a destination I would end up in. But I had always wanted to work abroad and this seemed like a good opportunity for me in a good project. I liked the sound of what they were doing.

“The weather was the hardest thing to adjust to. It’s really hot so we train at 6:30 in the morning and then again at 4pm when it’s starting to get a little bit cooler. But to be honest there wasn’t anything else that I didn’t enjoy. It’s a beautiful country, the people are very friendly, and it’s really laidback. It’s maybe not an obvious holiday destination but I’d certainly recommend it.

“I think some people thought I was crazy when I said I was moving to Ghana. But I’d always rather have the regret of doing it and it not working out, than having the regret of not having at least tried.”

It has worked out just fine given Robertson is head coach at one of the most innovative football academies in the world. Founded by Englishman Tom Vernon in 1999, Right to Dream has grown from a small-scale project to become a residential academy for talented prospects to develop, not only as budding footballers but as people, too.

“There is a big emphasis on the character development of the players from a social perspective off the pitch, but also their football character on the pitch,” explained Robertson. “So the academy is about education, football and character development.

“There are two pathways in the academy: an academic one and a football one. It’s football that gets them into the academy but we also assess their academic ability and their character. We have a lot of students who now go to America to finish their education, often on athletic scholarships. A lot of these guys are now progressing into the MLS, while others will also go into European clubs.”

Again, travel is key to their development, with Robertson spending most of each summer taking his under-18 squad to play in tournaments in locations as diverse as Japan, Northern Ireland, and Sweden for more competitive tests.

What makes Right to Dream unique, however, was the decision by Vernon in late 2015 to buy Nordsjaelland and use the Danish Superliga club as the first landing point in Europe for graduates.

“It’s not often that you hear about an academy buying a football club, certainly not an African one,” added Robertson. “Often it’s a club investing in an academy but this time it’s the other way round. And it’s another pathway for our players. It gives them a clear vision of what lies ahead of them when they join the academy.

“The Danish academy is very strong too so the hope is the two groups break into the first-team together.”

The feet may start to get itchy again at some point in the future but for now Robertson is happily ensconced in Ghana. “The four years have flown in. I’m enjoying what I’m doing and the level of player I’m getting to work with on a daily basis has undoubtedly improved me as a coach. Who know what the future holds but at the moment I’m enjoying life here.”