The Golf Foundation reports that its adapted and competitive golf offering for schools is proving a big hit with teachers and pupils.
The Foundation’s ‘HSBC Golf Roots’ programme in schools is gathering significant momentum in 2013, as 39 out of 46 County Local Organising Committees have selected an HSBC Golf Roots competition for the current academic year as part of England’s School Games curriculum. This high proportion is second only to athletics, and ahead of traditional school sports such as football, cricket and netball.
The Golf Foundation’s school offering is all about creating a competitive, fun and energetic experience for children of all ages and abilities, in inclusive team environments.
National Development Manager Brendon Pyle said: “Every one of the Foundation’s golf formats in schools is designed to get youngsters using their natural energy in team relays, golf against the clock, healthy competition. Underpinning all this are ‘life skills’ messages present within golf as a sport; skills like honesty in scoring, good sportsmanship, determination, concentration and co-operation with fellow players.
“This is one of the reasons golf and HSBC Golf Roots is proving so popular in schools. Our formats create fun competition that all the pupils can enjoy, while being challenged to play at their best and think about their team-mates.”
Tri-Golf and Golf Xtreme are adapted forms of traditional golf that have been a hit with all age groups from five to 16. Introduced in 2012, ‘Super Sixes’ (six youngsters playing six holes in 60 minutes) appeals to a variety of year groups and fits in well with the School Games competition structure (great for school and inter-school leagues).
Brendon added: “While new formats have been really popular with young people, we have also enjoyed great feedback from teachers and sports officers up and down the country for the level of training we have been able to provide.
“The new Ofsted report on PE and school sport highlights issues in primary schools where teachers are not receiving adequate training to deliver an effective PE experience. As a golf charity that has been involved with schools for many years now, we are fortunate to have built very strong relationships with teachers, training over 10,000 since 2002 in England (plus, more than 850 young volunteers were trained by the Foundation in 2012 alone to help teachers deliver golf at the School Games).
“Our delivery of this training has been nationally recognised for its high standards and flexibility to support the teacher in creating an excellent PE experience for all of his or her pupils. The reduction in funding to School Sport Partnerships in October 2010 has meant less access to primary school teachers and along with many other sports we welcome the Youth Sport Trust’s call for a greater focus on supporting PE teaching in primary schools.”
HSBC Golf Roots and the Golf Foundation www.golf-foundation.org