The English Golf Union has launched a new World Class Coach Education initiative with the aim to develop and educate coaches on regional and national level.
The programme has been introduced with the support of the PGA and will provide coaches the opportunity to gain skills and knowledge which will better equip them to meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s world class players.
EGU director of coaching Peter Mattsson commented, “The role of the coach is, and will be, crucial in trying to develop world class players. If we want world class players we also need world class coaches with an understanding that goes way outside the technical aspects of the golf swing. I am positive that this education programme will further the coaches’ skills and enhance their motivation to become a better coach.”
The World Class Coach Education will be offered as part of the ongoing regional and national coaches’ meetings held at the National Golf Centre, Woodhall Spa. In addition individual programmes will be available, initially for national coaches but at a later date for regional coaches as well.
The individual programmes will be based on specific plans agreed by each coach with the EGU’s Director of Coaching, which will give each coach the chance to tailor the education to suit his or her specific needs.
The programme will provide insights from worldwide respected experts such as Dr. Rod Thorpe who will lecture on the “Teaching Games for Understanding” model and methods, Dr. Paul Schempp who will speak on how to develop coaching expertise and former European Tour professional Paul Affleck and Kendal McWade introducing their concept of “Instinctive Golf”.
David Ridley, EGU Elite Squad coach and coach of PGA Tour player Gregg Owen, added, “There is no doubt in my mind that as coaches we have to keep developing as fast as the players, if not faster. This is a perfect opportunity for coaches to look at what they need to learn and in order to keep ahead of the game. It will give every coach within the EGU his or her own specifically tailored education and development plan as well as providing us with a great networking opportunity to discuss and exchange everyone’s ideas. I feel the EGU are forward thinking in developing coaches, which can only benefit the players that we work with.”
The PGA has agreed that they will credit any PGA members who participate in the programme with CPD points.