GolfWA with the support of a Regional Servicing Grant from the Department of Local Government for Sport and Culture (DLGSC) and Golf Australia, held our first, revamped, Community Instructor Practical Training Course on Saturday 16th July.
The Community Instructor Practical Training Course compliments the Golf Australia / PGA Community Instructor Online Course for Volunteers and Teachers to provide the knowledge and skills to implement MyGolf, Get Into Golf and Sporting Schools programs in safe, engaging and inclusive environments. The online course must be completed prior to participation in the practical training course.
The venue was Spalding Park Golf Club in Geraldton under the guidance of PGA Professional Coach Byron Clarkson. The instructors were 5 indigenous staff members from Geraldton PCYC. The Community Instructors (CI’s) undertook practical assessments to show their competencies in instructing full swing, chipping, pitching and putting techniques in safe and appealing environments through the use of games and challenges.
Geraldton PCYC Centre Talya Quinn
‘For me it is about creating equal pathways and opportunities in sporting leadership and employment. Being instructed by someone who is Aboriginal shows our young people this is possible for them to do in the future also. This is an opportunity to promote inclusion and diversity and we are extremely grateful for the opportunity GolfWA has offered our staff. Together we can build a stronger community through all being part of the solution to a better and safer community for all.’
The accredited Community Instructors will now be supporting an 8 week Indigenous Golf Program in Term 3 at Spalding Park (SPGC) and Geraldton Golf Club (GGC) where up to thirty 12-21 year old’s will have the chance to ‘Get Into Golf’ with the support of Byron at SPGC and Daniel Bennett at GGC.
GolfWA’s Game Development and High Performance Manager Marc Pike explains that this is just the start;
‘Opportunities to grow the game regionally is something we are very passionate about. We value the support of DLGSC through our Regional Servicing Grant and are we are proud of the foundations we are building upon. We look forward to expanding these programs across WA in the key focus areas of junior growth, female participation, indigenous golf, and talent development, underpinned by governance and club health support. These initiatives along with the 2022 – 2025 Australian Golf Strategy and the current golf boom make it an opportune moment to inspire more Australians to play golf.’
GolfWA would like to again thank DLGSC, Golf Australia, Geraldton PCYC, Spalding Park and Geraldton Golf Club as well as all other key stakeholders in the Mid West Region
