Courtesy: The Centre for Active Recreation Network The need to provide sport and recreation activities for all sectors of the community is vital and provides people with a disability an opportunity that encourages the recognition that sport is accessible to all. As such The Centre Active Recreation Network, Access for All Abilities Program in partnership with Mansfield Golf Club Professional – Alison Munt, Yoralla and Golf for Life Coordinator Andrew Nunn launched a golfing program for people with a disability at the Mansfield Golf Club on Wednesday 13th July, 2011. The Mansfield Golf Program was developed to provide people with a disability the opportunity to play golf in a relaxed and supportive environment and offer local disengaged youth from Mansfield Secondary College YEP (Youth Engagement Program) the opportunity to take on leadership and mentoring roles to assist with program delivery. The program incorporates training workshops, dealing with golf and equipment etiquette, safety, practical skills of putting, chipping and course play and possible Mansfield Golf Club membership for those wishing to pursue the sport on a regular basis. The project was made possible through the Access for All Abilities program to encourage participation in physical activity. The initial launch invited five people with a disability to participate in the Golf program supported by Club Professional Alison Munt, Golf for Life Coordinator Andrew Nunn and YEP Golf for Life program students. All participants have had little or no golfing experience and have been introduced to both the Club and the sport. This golfing program is a great opportunity for participants to learn golf as it is designed for beginners and encourages social inclusion. The Mansfield Golf Project hopes to encourage awareness within the community as well as build esteem for participants. The Mansfield Golf Club is fully supportive of the program and is hosting 10 weekly 1 hour sessions for participants. The aim of this initiative is to increase the awareness of golf as an accessible sport within the disability sector and the broader community. Alison Munt, former touring Golf Professional and current Mansfield Golf Club Pro stated: From a life spent playing the game at the highest level, it is just so rewarding seeing the group enjoying and encouraging each other and applauding effort as well as skill and this from Golf for Life Coordinator Andrew Nunn: The Yooralla participants are thoroughly enjoying their golf and the YEP boys have learnt a lot on a number of levels it has been awesome fun for the instructors too! A local Mansfield businessman has kindly donated a set of clubs to one of the Yooralla participants to enable his continued involvement in golf and association with the club. The program will finish on Wednesday 21st September, 2011 with plans for a celebratory final session for all involved with the initiative.
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