The English Golf Union (EGU), the governing body for men’s amateur golf in England, has announced that Peter Mattsson is to be the new Director of Coaching based at the National Golf Centre, Woodhall Spa
Mattsson, 35, is currently Head Coach for the Swedish Federation, leading the men’s and women’s professional teams as well as the men‘s, women‘s, boy’s and girl’s amateur teams. He is expected to take up the new post in late summer.
The Director of Coaching is a new position at the EGU, created to fulfil its role in developing golf’s Whole Sport Plan in partnership with the PGA, English Ladies Golf Association (ELGA) and Sport England.
During his time as Head Coach Mattsson has guided Sweden in winning the World Amateur Championships and has coached his national players at numerous events including both the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup. He is also a member of the PGA of Sweden, working on the steering committee for PGA Teacher Education, as well as being a previous board member of the Swedish Sports Psychology Association.
The EGU’s Chief Executive, Paul Baxter, said, “We are really pleased to be welcoming Peter to England. He has a very impressive track record of achievement within Sweden and has made a major contribution to their development as a golfing nation.
“I am sure the ideas he will bring in the planning and delivery of the EGU National Training Programme will, whilst building on the foundations already laid through the World Class Performance Programme, be fresh and innovative and take this to a new level.”
The Director of Coaching role will oversee the development of training programmes, which include the England elite squad through to regional coaching programmes for players under 18. In addition there will greater interaction with county union coaching through the development of a structure that will embrace players as young as under 12 and build better links between the county’s and national coaching strategies.
Mattsson commented, “It’s a great professional challenge, as well as a great personal adventure, to be able to take up this new opportunity. I am really encouraged by the support that English golf now has. The Whole Sport Plan for Golf will allow me to take my experience gained in Europe, the US and Australia into much a bigger environment.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for me to work with the talented people in the England coaching teams as well as the players themselves. I am confident that working together we can reach the vision of England becoming the Leading Golf Nation in the World.”
Mattsson is married with two young children. He started his career as a PE teacher and took up golf coaching in 1992 before accepting the part time position as coach of the Swedish National Boys team in 1995. He became the full time Coach of the Swedish Amateur teams in 1998 and was promoted to Head Coach in 1999.
English Golf Union www.englishgolfunion.org
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