Golf Victoria played host to 16 special school PE teachers for the first MyGolf schools teacher PD for special schools in Melbourne’s south east last Friday.
Teachers from the Southern Special Schools Sports Association (SSSA) were taken through their paces through a variety of modified games offered in the MyGolf curriculum which is flexible to suit all levels of ability.
The session highlighted the program’s games based philosophy which keeps sessions fun and allows for children to learn golf using a variety of games that can be adjusted through modified equipment or target sizes.
“We change up activities through modifying equipment with the use of tennis balls or larger golf clubs to make it easier or reduce the target size to make games harder”, explained Jayden Zeinstra, Golf Victoria’s junior development co-ordinator.
“It’s about an introduction to golf where kids have fun but also feel supported and challenged." Zeinstra added.
Samantha Ditty, physical education/ interschool sport co-ordinator for the Heatherwood school was delighted with the session.
“It was great to see how fun and flexible the program is to include children of all abilities. Having a sport where whole families can be involved is fantastic too.” Ditty said.
The day was such a hit with the group that planning has commenced for a SSSSA carnival golf day to be held in December and also adding golf to the SSSSA interschool sport calendar for 2018.
Golf Victoria's inclusion manager Christian Hamilton said it was an important step forward in GV's strategy to make the game accessable for all Victorians.
"The School Sport Victoria (SSV) golf sub-committee has prioritised inclusion as being a key focus area moving forward."
"We can provide dual pathways where participants have the opportunity to play SSV events, move into club based programs or participate socially with family and friends." Hamilton said.
The SSV golf sub-committee is made up of representitives from GV, GA, PGA, School Sport Australia and PE teachers from special and mainstream schools.
For more information on MyGolf visit mygolf.org.au