Providing Funds for Disabled Coaching Programmes
A new qualification for PGA professionals, enabling them to coach disabled golfers, is being progressed as an educational opportunity, thanks to funding from the Ryder Cup European Development Trust.
As a result of working together to bring golfers with special needs into the European community of golf, the European Disabled Golfers’ Association (EDGA) under the guidance of The PGAs of Europe, are well advanced in ensuring that PGA professionals can equip themselves with the knowledge and expertise to provide suitable coaching programmes.
Progress on this important project was made possible by a grant from the Trust to begin Phase 1, namely the setting up of a special working group of appropriate experts to examine the extent of EDGA’s activities and to assess the requirements for structured, comprehensive advancement.
To continue the process the group made a visit to a Swedish Invitational tournament for the disabled at Bokskogen GC on 15/16 August 2008 where Director of Education, Tony Bennett, Education Committee member Jim van Heuven, and Sweden’s Director of Training Johan Hampf represented The PGAs of Europe and were joined by Wim van Leir a golf researcher from the University of Amsterdam.
From this visit it was recommended: * To seek the integration of Golf for European golfers with disabilities into the international golf movement for able-bodied golfers. * To assist and encourage educational and rehabilitation through golf clinics and demonstration programmes * To assist and encourage development of golf programmes for disabled, when such needs occur.
In discussion with disabled golfers it was learned that:
- They are often initially self-taught.
- People born with a disability often exhibit a great determination.
- There is a huge difference between those born with disability and others who are disabled through illness or accident.
- Disabled people want to be considered as a “sportsman with a disability” rather than a “disabled sportsman”.
- The golf course facilities must be accessible.
- Golf is one of the few sports where able bodied and disabled can take part together using the same rules and handicapping system.
Among the requirements of an education programme, when it is completed and approved, will be the need for the students to educate the coach on the exact nature of their disability. Coaches must have a general knowledge of what disabled golf is and what facilities and equipment is available.
Knowledge of artificial limbs and specialised equipment used is crucial.
Also the coach needs to be a good project manager who is able to liaise with psychologists, physiotherapists, doctors and family. “It is about getting the unit around the disabled person to engage in the idea that golf is important to the athlete.” stresses the recommendation.
“The next stage of the process is to create, write and develop the appropriate programme,” explained Tony Bennett.
“The stage we are at now is that our working group is putting together the framework. Then EDGA will be asked to approve our findings and, if they wish, to make a second phase application to RCEDT to turn the plans into reality. ”
Yet another excellent example of how Ryder Cup revenue can support the European golfing community.
