Virtual golf, driving range visits, girls-only classes, aerobic and fitness exercises, students mentoring and parent involvement.
It doesn’t sound like your typical school golf program, but the sessions delivered at Dapto High School have been anything but normal.
Running programs through the Australian Sports Commission Youth Participation Project within Sporting Schools, passionate teacher Paul Creighton has been innovative in getting his secondary students engaged in golf.
“The YPP has been terrific for our school. We have been able to offer a range of activities to a mix of students that are interested in golf and also target 14 of our year 7/8 girls who wouldn’t normally be interested in golf by offering a girls-only program,” he said.
Paul decided to use his year 12 students, who are studying sports coaching, as mentors and lesson facilitators for the girls’ sessions, which has had great results.
“The girls have really got into the program. Not having the boys around helps them relax and lose any inhibitions that they would normally have if it was a mixed class.”
The programs delivered at Dapto High School have been a great example of what can happen when you engage the local community.
“We initially offered some skills sessions at the school to introduce the students to the basic skills and fitness components to game, then once they got the hang it decided to use the facilities in the local town – including The Grange Golf Club.
“Receiving great support from the local club – The Grange, Jack Newton Junior Golf, who could source sets of clubs for us to purchase for our students’ use on course, and using local golf professional Vikki Aisbett to teach the skills, has all contributed to the success of the program.”
Another great aspect to the program has been the engagement of the students’ parents, to play nine holes with their students.
“The parents have been extremely supportive of the program. It’s been great to have them engage with their children through a sport that they can both play and enjoy together.”
Golf Australia has been a part of the YPP pilot program for the past 12 months, testing a range of programs designs and offerings within 12 secondary schools with much success; but Shaun Hickman, National School Coordinator at Golf Australia thinks the Dapto High School program has certainly been the most innovative.
“We have had a large number of schools across the country take part in our MyGolf Sporting Schools programs, but what Dapto High School have been able to deliver within their pilots has definitely been the most diverse and creative,” he said.
“It’s great to see the program having an effect in getting children and in particular teenagers interested in Golf.”
If your school is interested in getting involved in Sporting Schools visit – www.sportingschools.org.au