GRAMPIAN GIRLS' GOLF POST FOR SUSIE
Clubgolf, Scotland's national junior golf strategy, developed as a direct result of the Scottish Executive's commitment to introduce every nine-year-old child to the game by 2009, has appointed its sixth and final member of its development team.
Susie Kidd from Aberdeen has been assigned the role of clubgolf Grampian Regional Manager, to pilot the area's national programme in readiness for its role out in 2009. Work in the area has already begun. Ten volunteer coaches from four local clubs have completed their PGA clubgolf Level 1 Training for Volunteers course and are ready to help teach the game to youngsters from their communities. Susie joins a six strong development team.
In addition to regional development work, each has a separate task of tackling an issue facing the sport. These range from social inclusion to developing links between schools and clubs. The Grampian position carries with it the responsibility for attracting and retaining double the current number of female players in Scotland.The promotion of "Girls in Golf" in Scotland is a critical role. Currently, there are 198,500 registered male club golfers in Scotland, but fewer than 50,000 females.
The average age of the Scottish golfer is now 55. In the under 18 level, there are 25,000 boys but just 2,700 girls. This is not a challenge facing only golf. Most other sports in Britain find it hard to attract and retain female participants. According to Women's Sports Foundation UK, girls as young as seven begin to show negative attitudes towards sport; 40% of young women have dropped out of physical activity by the age of 18; and only 10% of women and 35% of girls are members of a club where they can take part in sport. This new clubgolf appointment seeks to redress the boy/girl imbalance. The target is to double the number of girls involved in golf by the year 2009.
Susie Kidd certainly has an empathy with her target audience. Since first swinging a club, aged 13, at Edzell Golf Club there have been few interruptions in her progress and she has a burning passion for the sport. She has a handicap of four and has been women's club champion five times at Portlethen Golf Club."As a girl I was aware that golf seemed like a sport for men. I was very fortunate because my father and two brothers were all keen golfers and when I started playing there were three girls at my school who already played," said Susie.
"It certainly encourages you to keep playing if you have a big peer group of girls in the club and that will be our aim for clubs across Scotland."I found it was a game with a high skill base so as a girl it was a good leveller and it was something at which I could shine. Golf has given me fitness and health. It has taught me discipline as well as winning and losing."This new role will give me the opportunity to put something back into a sport which has given me so much. I'm delighted to have been given this opportunity and look forward to help making an impact."
Susie Kidd from Aberdeen has been assigned the role of clubgolf Grampian Regional Manager, to pilot the area's national programme in readiness for its role out in 2009. Work in the area has already begun. Ten volunteer coaches from four local clubs have completed their PGA clubgolf Level 1 Training for Volunteers course and are ready to help teach the game to youngsters from their communities. Susie joins a six strong development team.
In addition to regional development work, each has a separate task of tackling an issue facing the sport. These range from social inclusion to developing links between schools and clubs. The Grampian position carries with it the responsibility for attracting and retaining double the current number of female players in Scotland.The promotion of "Girls in Golf" in Scotland is a critical role. Currently, there are 198,500 registered male club golfers in Scotland, but fewer than 50,000 females.
The average age of the Scottish golfer is now 55. In the under 18 level, there are 25,000 boys but just 2,700 girls. This is not a challenge facing only golf. Most other sports in Britain find it hard to attract and retain female participants. According to Women's Sports Foundation UK, girls as young as seven begin to show negative attitudes towards sport; 40% of young women have dropped out of physical activity by the age of 18; and only 10% of women and 35% of girls are members of a club where they can take part in sport. This new clubgolf appointment seeks to redress the boy/girl imbalance. The target is to double the number of girls involved in golf by the year 2009.
Susie Kidd certainly has an empathy with her target audience. Since first swinging a club, aged 13, at Edzell Golf Club there have been few interruptions in her progress and she has a burning passion for the sport. She has a handicap of four and has been women's club champion five times at Portlethen Golf Club."As a girl I was aware that golf seemed like a sport for men. I was very fortunate because my father and two brothers were all keen golfers and when I started playing there were three girls at my school who already played," said Susie.
"It certainly encourages you to keep playing if you have a big peer group of girls in the club and that will be our aim for clubs across Scotland."I found it was a game with a high skill base so as a girl it was a good leveller and it was something at which I could shine. Golf has given me fitness and health. It has taught me discipline as well as winning and losing."This new role will give me the opportunity to put something back into a sport which has given me so much. I'm delighted to have been given this opportunity and look forward to help making an impact."
posted by Colin |
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