Lottery Awards Island Free Coaching

A unique island partnership of club junior organisers, PGA Professionals, Sports Development Officers and parents has been successful in attracting a lottery Awards for All grant of just under £4000 to the Isle of Wight.

Supported and directed by the Golf Foundation, the scheme will enable pupils in 24 schools on the island to benefit from 6 weeks free coaching and participation in a fun tournament at a golf club on the island. Four PGA Professionals will be carrying out the work and offering follow-on opportunities at their golf clubs.

Teachers and junior organisers on the island will also be offered free training to become Junior Golf Leaders as well as attending a National Coaching Foundation Child Protection course. Younger pupils in primary schools will enjoy their first taste of golf using Tri-Golf, the Golf Foundation’s new mini version of golf using adapted equipment and specially designed activities.

Chairman of the group, Chris Boulter, a junior organiser at Freshwater Bay Golf Club on the island said:

"We are delighted to have received the award after a period of planning and consultation with all the schools on the island and strong support from the Isle of Wight Sports Development department. Through representation of the golf clubs on the partnership, we intend to feed the pupils into further coaching schemes and ultimately membership at all the clubs on the island".

Commenting on behalf of the Golf Foundation, Regional Development Officer, Brendon Pyle added:

"The junior golf partnership on the island has demonstrated how schools, clubs, local authorities and governing bodies can work together to target more young people in schools and attract external sources of funding that have not typically been accessed by the golfing world".

For further information, contact Chairman of the Isle of Wight Junior Golf Partnership, Chris Boulter on 01983 823568.