In a South Australian first, golf will be embedded in a primary school curriculum, with Lockleys Primary School partnering with neighbouring Kooyonga Golf Club to roll out the inclusive initiative.
The program will expose golf to students from 26 different nationalities who attend the school.
In term one, 2019, all 140 students will participate in an 8-week MyGolf Schools program which will see every student partake in a 50-minute golf lesson with accredited PGA coaches from Kooyonga and input from in-class PE Teachers.
Seven sessions will be on the school oval and one at Kooyonga with approximately 40 sessions delivered in total.
Golf Australia Regional Development Officer Allan Telford has recently conducted a practical training session for the teachers, who will now go on to complete an online course gaining Community Golf Instructor Accreditation which provides training and accreditation for individuals wanting to engage as an instructor or facilitator of national golf participation programs.
The teachers will also signup as National MyGolf School Ambassadors.
School principal Maureen Davidson has been the mastermind behind the initiative.
“Lockleys staff and students are eager to commence our new golf program in 2019. We acknowledge and appreciate the support of the golfing industry, including new partnerships formed with neighbouring Kooyonga Golf Club and Golf Australia.
“In the new year we will become the first primary school in South Australia to provide students with a focused golf program. Our teachers have undertaken the Community Golf Instructors Course to deliver the MyGolf School Program to students as part of the Health and Physical Education curriculum. A highlight of our program will be the professional lessons provided by Kooyonga Golf Club.” Davidson said.
After the program has concluded a talent group of students identified from term 1 will be invited to join an afterschool program delivered at the Kooyonga GC through its Academy throughout Terms 2, 3 and 4.
The school program will then commence again in term one and continue each year.
Kooyonga Golf Club General Manager Brett Lewis, is also excited by the partnership and understands the many benefits of engaging with the local community.
“We have been working closely with the Principal and Governing Council of the Lockley’s Primary School for a number of months to develop a junior golf programme, that can be rolled out across their entire student base for a school term each year.
“With the school such a close neighbour across the road and the club fortunate to employ an experienced group of PGA Professionals with initiative and drive to work with junior golfers, we identified a wonderful opportunity to engage within the local community and help grow the game.” Lewis said.
“The partnership is seen as beneficial for everyone involved, with the school able to offer a unique offering to its students and the club able to promote its facilities and services in our local community. The students will be given the opportunity to give golf a go throughout their primary school years and ultimately any interested and talented kids will hopefully be identified and hooked on the game for life!”
Lockleys Primary School which started the year with an enrolment of 113 students growing to 129 by years end will have 140 students for the start of 2019.
The school can accommodate up to 240 pupils and will be looking to promote golf as its point of difference.