It was a special day for the Special Schools.
Edithvale Public Golf Course was jam packed last week, with more than 170 students involved in Golf Australia’s second MyGolf Gala Day on behalf of the South-East Special Schools Sports Association.
Students from 16 Special Schools immersed themselves in a range of game-based activities introducing them to the fundamentals of golf such as putting, chipping and an on-course experience in a social and relaxed environment helped by Special Olympics staff and volunteers and the support of the Victorian state government through Sport and Recreation Victoria.
Out on the fairways, PGA all abilities coach Paul Boxall, who’s based at Edithvale Golf Course, delivered a variety of full swing challenges, capturing the attention of participants with tailored instructions for each individual.
Students were presented with MyGolf certificates, sunglasses, stickers and all abilities flyers directing them to PGA professionals in their local area.
Sabrin Nyawela, Golf Australia’s Development Officer – Inclusion, said the gala day was the pinnacle of what has been a successful Sporting Schools Program.
“This day is a celebration of all the MyGolf programs running across the state in Special Schools from Mildura to South Gippsland,” Nyawela said.
“MyGolf is designed for all abilities and fun for participants through its games-based curriculum. We can make targets bigger or smaller or use modified equipment based on everyone’s ability.”
SSSSA co-ordinator Sam Ditty said the day had been a resounding success.
“There’s not many kids that have experienced golf,” she said.
“Coming along to a gala day like today has really given them (students) an insight on how they can get into community sport and hopefully carry it on later in life.”
The event ended with participants and staff engaged in a dance battle with the ever-popular ‘floss’ dance paired with the newly gifted MyGolf sunnies as stylish props, lifting spirits even higher and adding to what was already an unforgettable day.