While Adam Scott recently made the four metre putt to win the United States Masters, children throughout Southern Tasmania have been trying their hand with golf thanks to Golf Australia s MyGolf program. This term, 40 children from Bellerive and Lindisfarne North Primary Schools had the opportunity to try golf as a result of the partnership between the Active After-school Communities (AASC) program, Golf Tasmania and Rosny Golf Club. (AASC) program Regional Coordinator for the Southern Tasmania, Aaron Roberts, is excited by the partnership and anticipates that it will provide children with the opportunity to try a different sport. Through the AASC program children are provided with a positive introduction to sport with the aim of encouraging them to develop a lifelong love of sport by participating in club, school or other community sport outside the program. MyGolf is a great tool to introduce children to the fundamentals of golf and with the assistance of Rosny Golf Club children can also experience this at a golf course. The AASC program creates links between children and local sporting clubs and is continually focused on promoting participation in sport and growing junior membership. MyGolf Coordinator Christian Rainey, has recently been appointed to promote golf and run sessions in schools across Southern Tasmania. The kids had a great time at the course and for some it was their first time on a golf course hitting real golf balls. Hopefully it will inspire them to take up the sport and return to Rosny Golf club for further sessions. The AASC program allows clubs to showcase their sport, club facilities and club coaches to primary school children, parents, school teachers and other local community members. In addition, the AASC program also provides opportunities for members of the local community to become involved as community coaches. An Australian Government initiative, delivered by the Australian Sports Commission, the AASC program is run in more than 3,200 schools and after school care centres in all states and territories, with approximately 190,000 children participating each semester. The AASC program provides children with the opportunity to try a wide variety of sports and other structured physical activities through a positive and fun experience. In doing so, the program aims to encourage children to develop a love of sport that motivates them to join a local sporting club and get participants and their families active for life.
Author: Australian Sports Commission