College's golf drive going nationwide

Dec 22 2009 by Tim Taylor, The Journal

GATESHEAD'S proud new status as the 2010 UK European City of Sport has been enhanced by their pilot golf programme for North East youngsters being taken up at national level through an initiative led by the English Golf Union.

Last week, the European all-sports accolade for Gateshead was announced after a visit by a team of international judges looking for, among other things, “innovative sports projects.”

Last month, Gateshead College launched a golf apprenticeship scheme aimed at equipping talented teenagers in the region with the skills required to become professional golfers.

In a joint effort to uncover superstars of the future, the college honed in on Matfen Hall’s golf academy facilities to offer a Golf Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence programme (AASE).

The AASE programme provides a two-year structured training and development course.

The students will work towards an NVQ Level Three Achieving Excellence in Sports Performance as well as a BTEC Certificate in Sport (Performance and Excellence).

Now the England Golf Partnership have launched their own AASE programme to help the most outstanding young prospects improve their game while continuing with full-time education.

“England Futures” aims to provide targeted support to the country’s most talented young golfers during perhaps the most critical phase of their development, when they need to manage their academic work with the progression of their sport skills.

This is a joint national initiative launched by the English Golf Union (EGU) and English Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) and utilises funding linked to the AASE programme, a government funded scheme developed by ‘Skills Active’, the skills sector council for sport.

England Futures is fully endorsed and supported by The England Golf Partnership, made up of all of the major governing bodies in English Golf including The PGA and the Golf Foundation.

The AASE is open to players aged 16-19 who are in full-time education studying A-levels (in any subject) or BTEC qualifications (in sports related subjects).

Each England Futures player will already have a track record of playing competitive amateur golf to a high level, nationally or within their region.

In return the England Futures player will receive top-class coaching from specially selected England coaches, a complete package of sports science support including bio-mechanics, strength and conditioning and psychological training, as well as additional resources to meet competition and tournament expenses.

Peter Mattsson, director of coaching at the EGU, said: “The facta player can combine his or her studies with golf into one package is fantastic.

“Players will be guided to ensure their competitive and training schedules are organised so as not to impact on study for exams in the middle of the competitive season.

“The added advantage of course is that with this programme the experience gained during the competitive season contributes to their studies.”

The England Golf Partnership is specifically looking to encourage more girls to participate in the initiative.

THERE are a limited number of places on the national programme and the closing date for applications is December 31, 2009. The programme starts in the spring of 2010.

Application forms are available on www.englishgolfunion.org and www.englishwomensgolf.org

Gateshead golf courses began this month. For information, visit www.gateshead.ac.uk  or ring 0191 490 2246 after the holiday break.