Date: April 26, 2009
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Golf Australia joins forces with Special Olympics Australia

Golf Australia and Special Olympics Australia have announced that the two organisations will work cooperatively to enhance golf participation experiences for people with an intellectual disability. The initiative is part of the Australian Sports Commission s Sports CONNECT program which has been specifically designed to assist sport to create inclusive development, participation and competition opportunities for people with a disability. A formal memorandum of understanding, signed recently by the two parties, aims to ensure greater cooperation in the provision and development of services and golf opportunities for Special Olympic participants. This includes the joint development of coaching opportunities, and promotion of the sport from grass roots to international competition. Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt said the agreement was yet another step for golf to become a truly inclusive sport. The agreement will provide variety of opportunities to improve the golfing pathway for golfers with an intellectual disability Pitt said. As part of the agreement, Golf Australia has recognised that Special Olympics Australia is a key stakeholder in providing golf to people with an intellectual disability, and Golf Australia has committed to work jointly with Special Olympics Australia to develop the sport at local, state, national and international level. Special Olympics Australia CEO Catriona Barry said This is a fantastic opportunity for us to develop and grow the sport of golf for people with an intellectual disability, and we look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership with Golf Australia. Golf Australia has also established similar memoranda with Deaf Golf Australia and the Australian Blind Golf Association.