Tommy Fleetwood has this afternoon committed his support to the Golf Foundation’s new schools initiative, as he becomes the first player ambassador for the campaign.
Fleetwood, who has seven wins in his career since his professional debut in 2010, and who finished third at last month’s Masters, will support the initiative through a series of activations, as well as visiting schools who have seen the impact of golf already, and helping to spread the message to more schools across the country. With young kids of his own, and an Academy that helps to give youngsters the opportunity to enjoy golf as a fun experience, Fleetwood has a keen interest in the impact that golf can have on young people.
Unleash Your Drive in Schools, which launched in September 2023, is spearheaded by Golf Foundation President Nick Dougherty, and is aimed at changing the face of mental wellbeing in primary schools through the introduction of a specially created mental toughness golf programme. The six week programme can be delivered by teachers via digital resources, and uses specially adapted Golfway equipment to teach fun and inclusive games with mental toughness tools embedded thoughout, to prepare pupils for life inside and outside the classroom.
Early studies have indicated a 19% rise in mental wellbeing among those who have participated in the initiative, with concentration, confidence, emotional control and determination all part of the areas that see improvement.
Over 700 schools have registered their interest in the Unleash Your Drive in Schools programme to date. The initiative has attracted attention at Parliament recently, being highlighted by the Schools Minister, Damian Hinds MP, in a House of Commons debate on Education and also by Baroness Nye in a House of Lords discussion on the Health Benefits of Community Sport on Young People.
“Golf has taught me many valuable lessons along the way,” said Fleetwood, “lessons that I continue to learn each and every day, so I am always looking for opportunities to share this great game with the next generation. The Golf Foundation’s drive to get golf in primary schools was hugely appealing to me, and I love the fact it is founded and centred on mental wellbeing. If we can use our game to help teach young people better resilience, patience and emotional control, then we’ve achieved something great. Hopefully I can play a small part in that, and help continue the great work that the Golf Foundation and Nick have started!”
Brendon Pyle, CEO of the Golf Foundation, added: “We are delighted to have Tommy support Unleash Your Drive as a Player Ambassador . As a well-known and popular Ryder Cup player, he has the power to reach a huge number of young people across the world and help us to make a bigger impact through our work. Tommy actually approached us off the back of our recent Westminster event, as he loved what we were doing and wanted to get involved, so the passion is genuine and it’s great to have his support. We’re excited about what we can achieve with both him and Nick Dougherty leading the way.”
To find out more, visit www.golf-foundation.org
