Sam Barker-Sabido – a member of the Young Ambassadors programme run by England Golf and the Golf Foundation – has been selected to join the National Youth Sport Forum.
The forum allows young people with a background in a number of different sports aged between 16-24 to influence the future direction and policy through a School Sport and Activity Action Plan.
Speaking about his new role representing golf, Sam said: “It’s a privilege to take my place on the forum and ensure the views of young golfers are able to play a part in developing sport as a key element in the school curriculum.
“I’m passionate about golf and believe that it offers fantastic opportunities for young people to enjoy the social, competitive and health benefits of a great sport.
“Viewing sport through the eyes of the youngsters taking part brings a fresh element to the planning of activities.
“It is crucial that the opinions of young people help to inform policy decisions to ensure that activities are relevant and grab the attention of a young audience – many of whom may be experiencing a particular sport for the first time in their lives.”
Sam joined the Young Ambassador programme run by England Golf and the Golf Foundation in 2020 and writes about the game on behalf of the group for the Midlands Golfer website and magazine.
As a keen player and enthusiast of the game, the 21-year-old is ideally positioned and informed to articulate the feelings of young golfers all across England.
A member at Chesterfield Golf Club, Sam previously worked with the England Golf communications department and undertook a volunteer placement with the Golf Foundation’s development team.
Sam has recently taken up a post with Golf Access as their social media executive. “I look forward to promoting golf and bringing my perspective to any future plans,” added Sam.
“This is a huge opportunity for like-minded young people to be creative in their thinking, to challenge convention and make a difference to improve the quality of school sport and activity.”
The Youth Sport Forum held its first online meeting on 21 September and will convene regularly to discuss how best to engage with young people at school and fire their enthusiasm for sporting activity.
See more on golf’s Young Ambassadors here.
