Everyone is buying in to the fun and wellbeing benefits of golf for youngsters in the Matlock area, and the result could be memorable for many children from all backgrounds.
Golf Foundation Regional Development Officer Alice Lowe has staged Golfway Activators workshops at Highfields School in Matlock, and now teachers, PGA Coaches and young leaders can deliver golf together in this area of Derbyshire.
Creating a strong link between schools and local golf clubs – all with the aim of offering opportunities to try golf for the first time and progress – this sustainable project will be celebrated with a Golfway School Festival on May 18.
Training teachers and coaches
There were plenty of great swings and big smiles on view recently as a mix of local teachers and also PGA Professional coaches from Matlock Golf Club and Chevin GC took part in our new Golfway Primary School Activators Workshop.
The attendees will now use the Golfway equipment and flexible activity cards to deliver sessions in primary schools. Golfway kit is colourful and very easy to use to encourage kids so they enjoy the energy of the specially designed games while learning the basics of the swing. Deliverer and pupils can set their own games and learning to suit the school curriculum and PE environment.
Coach and/or teacher are now able to inspire youngsters of all abilities in the school setting, with all the learning underpinned by the teaching of valuable life skills for the children to help with their confidence and wellbeing.
RDO Alice Lowe said: “We were delighted that the attendees were all so enthusiastic about Golfway and how it can excite their youngsters. It was also good to see that the teachers could relate to how beneficial the Skills for Life elements of the games and practice will be for their pupils’ emotional regulation and mental development in PE, and in the wider curriculum.
“We would particularly like to thank all the staff at Highfields School for making the Golf Foundation so welcome and taking such an interest in our work.”
A festival, and schools are signing up
After this first successful visit, Alice made a return to Highfields School in early May to offer training to a group of keen young leaders (volunteers) who are pupils at the school. A Golfway School Festival is to be held on May 18 at Highfields, featuring upwards of 50 children from five local schools, and these young volunteers will be able to help run all the golf activity.
All the schools have been offered the Primary School Programme and already Lea Primary and South Darley schools have agreed to welcome the Matlock Golf Club PGA Pro’s in to coach their youngsters; exciting news for the project!
Alice added: “Everything about our Primary School Programme is about flexibility for teachers and coaches around our excellent Golfway equipment. If you want to offer a fresh, tried and tested format for youngsters, it’s the perfect time to get involved with the Golf Foundation.”
The Golf Foundation’s team of RDOs is looking to collaborate with SafeGolf accredited junior-friendly golf clubs across the regions, introducing PGA Professional coaches to local schools to present all the mental and physical health benefits of golf. We are encouraging teachers to explore a flexible range of options to see what is best for their school (see more here). If you’re a school or club interested in this idea, please get in touch!
