Letchworth Junior Coaching Programme 

Linked with North Herts Schools Golf Association 

Golf has benefitted from the pandemic the last few years and although numbers were on the incline, we know that a main priority for all in golf is to get more girls into the game. In schools, where the audience is closer to a equal gender split, not everyone is given the opportunity to experience golf as it is not currently seen as a curriculum sport. Our intention is to make it more inclusive for all and support the pathway of those students interested. We are very fortunate to sit within a close radius of many the interest is there and so a GF workshop was organised on 2nd November 2021 to train teachers and ambassadors using the new Golf Foundation Golfway equipment. 

By linking with and teaching the pupils in the school, the hope is that this will ignite interest and also create long standing relationships with us and other local golf clubs . Clubs will be able to offer coaching and use of facilities through the funding made available by Golf Foundation, Hertfordshire Golf Limited and the Mike Amos Foundation.

In 2021 we started out pilot project and every 5-6 weeks pupils had the opportunity to have a session with the Assistant PGA Professional, Matt Bailey. The follow on from this offer was that if any pupils are interested in further golf opportunities, Letchworth have a thriving junior section who partake in various fun activities and competitions throughout the year. The club also have a foundation attached, The Mike Amos Foundation, which supports junior development. This will offer support in way of scholarships/bursaries, to those who show committment and desire to continue. 

With our first year seeing over 860 pupils introduced to the game, the programme has now developed to include a Coaching Programme stage. This includes a full year of coaching, on-course coaching, practice drills and Academy Membership which allows full access to the practice facilities and Academy course. With a strong link in 8 schools, 2 pupils from each school were offered a place on the Scholarship in 2023 and the programme saw 42 new juniors take part in activity at our club

Schools we are linked with are: Nobel School, St Christopher Junior, Highfield, Pixmore, Knights Templar, Wilbury, Alleynes, Hitchin Girls and Etonbury. 

A highlight of the programme is the Super Sixes League. We have events scheduled throughout the season. Scholars play in pairs and complete six holes on a par 3 course using a very friendly version of the game known as a Texas Scramble. There is capacity to allow 24 students at a time to play. Schools could enter two pairs per event and if there is enough interest this could be expanded. Friday afternoons are the targeted day of the week with events starting at 14:00pm 

School Games
     

The School Games is a National government led initiative that every school in the country has access to. It is funded by Sport England National Lottery programme and delivered by The Youth Sport Trust.

In Hertfordshire, the School Games programme is delivered by 12 School Games Organisers (SGO’s) all working to support a local and county offer of opportunity for all pupils aged 7-16. Our Local SGO is Clare McCawley, who runs Dacorum School Sports Network (DSSN). Most of the sporting opportunities we offer in addition to the PE curriculum are organised by The School Games, our local SGO or DSSN.

The School Games mission is to put physical activity and competitive sport at the heart of schools and provide more young people with the opportunity to compete and achieve their personal best.

The day is organised by a County School Games Organiser and supported by our own Assistant Professionals