Golf Ireland and The PGA have launched a new ‘Activator’ training programme which aims to help introduce more young people to golf.
Following a successful pilot involving ten PGA Members from right across the island of Ireland, the Activator programme will now be rolled out as a national initiative.
Golf professionals at clubs are often the first contact that young people will have learning to play the game. The Activator programme will provide individuals with the necessary training to help them to support the delivery of quality experiences for participants.
The Activator is not a coach and no coaching training is provided within the scheme – coaching golfers remains the sole preserve of the PGA Professional. What the Activator can do is act as an ‘extra pair of hands’ within coaching sessions.
Tasks and duties they might undertake include setting up the coaching environment and area, welcoming people to the facility, taking a register, supervising and delivering non-technical games and activities, communicating with participants, posting on social media and dealing with follow-on communications with participants.
It’s the kind of activity that goes on up and down the country at present but with its success purely down to luck of having the right volunteer put their hand up.
This is a good idea in that it gives skills to add to the enthusiasm that is the stock in trade of a good volunteer.
Training days will be co-delivered by Golf Ireland and The PGA.
“PGA Members are the gatekeepers of the game of golf,” said PGA Chief Executive Robert Maxfield. “They do an incredible job in helping hundreds and thousands of people to access the game through coaching. We want to help our Members by providing them with a way to reach even more people, especially juniors. The Activator programme does just that.”
“The mission of Golf Ireland aims to unlock the immense potential of golf across the island of Ireland and this initiative will see a diverse and increased number of participants being catered for in clubs,” added Golf Ireland CEO Mark Kennelly.
“We’re particularly hopeful that more female golfers will be encouraged to consider coaching as a future career by gaining experience as an Activator under the guidance of a PGA Professional, further supporting the work of the Level Par programme and the Women in Golf Charter.”
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