Gloucestershire County Golf Partnership Meeting
Thursday 28th August 2014 – Henbury Golf Golf Club – 6.30pm
Present: Apologies:
Malcolm Lewis (ML) Ian Watkins (IW)
Sharon Heeley(SH)Sarah Claridge (SC)
Debbie Casling (DC)Richard King (RK)
Mark Powell (MP)
Justyn Branton (JB)
James Macpherson (JMAC)
Lorna Sparkes (LS)
Gail Howells (GH)
Jennifer May (JM)
Martin Crowder (MC)
Rob East (RE)
ML welcomed RE (Chairman GGU) and MC (GF Officer) to the meetingMinutes of Meeting held Tuesday 20th May having previously been circulated was approved.
Reports circulated as follows:
Report from Debbie Casling CDO:
Actions from May Meeting:
Get Into Golf Centre’s:
All centre’s have been contacted (some more than once) and the following have signed a Service Level Agreement.
Bristol & Clifton – Gloucester – Brickhampton Court – Ross-0n-Wye – Windmill Academy – Forest Hills.
Some of the centres have taken advantage of our marketing support and all are producing results on a 2 monthly interval.
Play More Golf Funding:
A disappointing result for a lot of hard work and feedback has gone to EG. Only 3 out of 13 Gloucestershire applications were successful. A few clubs asked for feedback which was given and some are moving forward with their plans.
New Golfmark/Clubhouse Workshops:
This was a successful workshop with 25 attendees and since this 4 clubs have signed up for the new accreditation. Chipping Sodbury, Minchinhampton Old, Cirencester, Forest of Dean, Lansdown, Long Ashton and Minchinhampton New
Operational Plan:
A meeting has been held with Active Gloucestershire, Wesport, Sport England, Golf Foundation, Sharon and I to look at more active engagement. Further meetings have been arranged to move forward.
Academy:
The County Academy continues to flourish with many of the players obtaining their handicaps and reducing them playing in Junior Opens and Jeff Hall Competitions. All the squad members have been tracked through the summer with their results of achievements.
The final academy session/assessments will take place over the weekend 20th/21st September. Player Assessments forms have been sent to the players to return prior to this date for a coach review session prior to on course assessments.
Disability:
Our Deaf golfers are enjoying playing at Sherdons they have a once a month have a roll-up with coaching and on course playing.
The Para Golf Festival was again a success with a new school Ruardean joining this year.
Bristol & Clifton Golf Club has been appointed Disability Innovation Centre and various groups are attending regular sessions at the club. Jamie Blair and I are linking with groups around the County.
GolfMark Club Competition:
An enjoyable sunny day had by all at Thornbury Golf Club. 9 teams took part with the early winners being The Bristol Team.
South Gloucestershire Show:
The Partnership supported this show which was held over the weekend 2nd/3rd August at Westerleigh.
A special show leaflet was produced giving discounts for beginner lessons being held at all clubs linked with The Windmill Academy. The golf stand covered 25 metres and was full of activity including an inflatable simulator, 2 x inflatable driving ranges, putting green and information marquees. Support from the Professionals at The Kendleshire, Tracy Park, Lansdown and The Windmill Academy during the two days was appreciated as was all the help from our volunteers.
Over 800 people visited our stand and all leaflets were given out via entry brochures.
Twitter was rife with over 1800 hits that weekend!
First Aid Workshop:
10 participants attended the recent First Aid Workshop held at Shirehampton Park and presented by Andy from Starmed Training.
Equipment:
Our equipment is very rarely at home these days ! many of our clubs are taking advantage of the supplies we have which is great if not a logistical nightmare sometimes.
Lorna Sparkes/Gail Howells – Ladies Section:
Following the success of our 2 Road Shows the Fun Away Days started differently this year with an invite to play a 9 hole Bowmaker at The Bristol and Clifton Golf Club on 15th March 2014.
We had 5 teams of 4 which included 3 new or advanced beginners per team playing with a more experience helper.
It was a rather cold and damp afternoon, but spirits were certainly not dampened as they enjoyed the challenge of playing on such a beautiful golf course. Winning team Lita Hayward, Sandra Tyrell, Ann Dawson helper Alison Leatt – 55 pts
Our next event was on 4th April 2014, our Annual trip to The Star Centre, unfortunately , numbers were well down this year, with only 11 ladies signing up for this Texas Scramble event. Gail joined the ladies to make up 4 teams of 3 being set off on a shot gun start. Several of the ladies had been on this event previously, and it was great to see the improvement in their game and as in the past a very welcoming hot meal awaited us at Cotswold Hills.
Winning Team Gail Howells – Sandra Tyrell – Sue Prior
July 10th2014, was our flag ship event – The Championship Challenge Vase this year held at Canons Court, 18 hole medal. 15 ladies entered this year, which was slightly up on last years.
The ladies were sent out in 5 groups of 3 all with handicaps of 30+ the course certainly presented them with many challenges, hedges, ditches and the long grass to mention just a few!
What was nice to witness was the ladies being very encouraging to each other, this is what these events are all about, not only do we try to teach the game of golf but also the etiquette.
After the match a delicious hot meal and pudding was enjoyed before the presentation.
Winner of the Partnership Challenge Vase2014 with a gross score of 107 was Lita Heyward – a member of Canons Court.
Coaching this year was held at TheWindmill Academy on May 22nd, by Emma Brown.
14 ladies had a2 hour session of coaching. It was pleasing to see some ladies who have been to other events but also some complete beginners.
Emma started with team games to get the ladies warmed up and then focused on putting for the first part of the session. It did not take long for the ladies to improve as they worked in their pairs, which made things a little more fun.
The lesson then moved onto chipping and longer shots with all the ladies quickly showing how they could improve their swing and aim with some useful tips from Emma.
A very enjoyable session and thanks to Emma who makes these sessions so much fun.
W.I. Ladies
Not certain if Debbie will cover this but just in case!!
May 29th, at Sherdons Golf Club, 15 W I ladies took part in a texas scramble.
The ladies had received 4 lessons thorough out the county and came together to put into practice what they learnt on the driving range!!
With many of the ladies having no clubs, tees – balls, it was a manic start to get them organised with a 7 iron and a putter several golf balls and tees before sending them off.
Each group had an experienced player in the team to guide them around the course and offer some gentle advice!!
It was again encouraging on a damp day to hear the ladies say “That was fantastic, when can we do it again?”
Several of the ladies gave me their email addresses as they want to take up the opportunity of playing golf more seriously.
Winning team:- Joanne Ottley – Pam Howells – Pat Watts – helper Lorna - gross score 46
Full reports on all the above events can be found on the Website.
Our next event is at Sherdons on September 21st – Autumn Texas Scramble, 12 ladies have entered to date.
Gail and Lorna will be meeting shortly to discuss the 2015 Programme and maybe trying to organise some beginners/advanced beginners coaching sessions during October.
We had a kind donation of £27.00 from the raffle held The Orchard following their beginners Bowmaker earlier in the year.
Martin Crowder – Golf Roots Officer:
Gloucestershire 2014/15
Golf Roots Centres (Under 14) Target / YR1 / YR2 / YR1 / YR2
Brickhampton Court GC / £250
Bristol & Clifton GC / £250
Cleeve Cloud GC / £250
Gloucester GC / £250
Lansdown GC / £250
Westonbirt GC / £250
Total amount of funding £1500
Notes: Gloucester GC still need to register for the Junior Golf Passport, but have delivered the majority of their work. I have spoke the coach who is looking into this. There is still opportunity for other JGP users (at the bottom of page) to secure some funds for U14 work
Golf Roots Centres (14 Plus) Target 10 / YR1 / YR2 / YR1 / YR2
Brickhampton Court GC / £250 / Westonbirt GC / £250
Bristol & Clifton GC / £250
Cleeve Cloud GC / £250
Gloucester GC / £250
Lansdown GC / £250
Total amount of funding £1500
Notes: The 14+ budget is pretty much exhausted but there is a possibility of discretionary top up funds for high performing clubs who wish to deliver further 14+ activity.
Satellite Clubs (14 plus)
Brickhampton Court GC / £250
Gloucester GC / £250 (Yr 1)
Total amount of funding £250
Notes: I Need to speak to the clubs to discover how this programmes are going and who is delivering Satellite clubs from year 1 projects which need to be sustained. I also need to meet the County Sports Partnerships to see how they can support as wel.
Street Golf (14+)
Young Bristol / Bristol City Council
Total amount of funding
Notes: Monitoring forms sent to the 2 projects, awaiting feedback.
Disability (Feel Inspired)
Total Amount Of Funding £
Notes:
Junior Golf Passport Users: 17
Brickhampton Court GC / Henbury GC / Long Ashton Golf Club / Westonbirt Golf Club
Bristol & Clifton GC / inPlay Golf / Minchinhampton GC / Windmill Golf Academy
Cleeve Cloud GC / The Kendleshire GC / Shirehampton Park GC
Forest Hills GC / Knowle GC / Thornbury Golf Centre
Gloucester GC / Lansdown GC / Tracy Park
Notes: Those highlighted in Yellow are those who have attended JGP training, I hope to schedule a new workshop during the autumn and target those that haven’t attended training and those that require a refresher.
PGA Regional Officer – Justyn Branton:
I have summarized the main coach development and county academy areas as shown below:
Coach Development
- Regional Coach Education Workshops
- Inclusivity Training
The team is also developing further workshops with scUK (Sports Coach UK) based around, physical, sensory and learning disabilities to further support coach development and CGP activity in this area between 2013-2017.
- County Breakfast Clubs
Research shows that PGA Professionals who engage in TNA activity are twice as likely to further develop their skill sets.
Further workshops that can be supported by the local County Sports Partnership (CSP) can be utilised, such as SPC (Safeguarding, Protecting Children), Participation and other scUK workshops e.g. fundamental movements.
Coaches should also be encouraged to deliver workshops amongst themselves.
Some funds will be available to support this through your Regional Coaching Development Officer.
I will have a budget to provide bursaries in order to support the development of coaches who look to up skill their coaching knowledge in the pursuit of the following awards:
- Advanced Certificate in Coaching
- ASQ UKCC Level 3
- ASQ UKCC Level 4
For further information please go to:
Volunteer Level 1
Over the course of the next WSP(Whole Sport Plan) 2013-2017 we are actively looking to readdress the balance of the coaching workforce. Currently the professional workforce is 97% male and 99% white whilst the volunteer workforce is 69% male with an average age over 50. With this in mind we are looking to actively recruit certain candidates into the volunteer coaching workforce as this is an area that we can have an immediate effect as shown below. Steps have already been taken to actively encourage more females into the professional ranks.
Recruit and train 250 new female Level 1 volunteer coaches to support CGP activity-
Recruit and train 200 new 16-25 year old Level 1 volunteer coaches to support CGP activity (TBC, this could be affected by the de-commitment of funding from SE(South East))
Funding will be provided (up to £200) to subsidise the cost of the Level 1 courses for these candidates if they meet the CGP and the PGA coaching team criteria. Future candidates will have to demonstrate that they have the support of the CGP and The PGA Professional to endorse and support them through the programme. They must be able to demonstrate how they intend to support CGP activity. Level 1 courses will still be open to everyone but candidates who do not fall into our funding criteria will have to fund themselves through the course
Level 1 Expression of Interest forms can be downloaded from the following link:
Verbal Reports as follows:
LS: How can we get the beginners to have the courage to join in? This year we have had 22 new ladies and 29 have joined clubs. Plans for 2015 are to encourage more new ladies to take part as our core of helpers are now those who have been through our coaching programs.
JB: We need to look at the skills sets of our Professionals and put workshops together to support them. Research say people who take part in long term coaching are more likely to stay. On-line webinar’s are available on the PGA Website. Would like to work with Gloucestershire to run a ‘Talent ID Workshop’ combining ‘How to run a successful program using the ‘C’ system.
MC: There is a possible extra source of funding available for those performing well. A Junior Golf Passport Workshop will be held at The Kendleshire GC on Friday 24th October 9.30-1.30pm. More clubs need to be encouraged to use the on-line system and once they have been to the workshop more do sign up. We also need to encourage the players to register and then we can get a true picture of those using the new resource.
Renewals are due in October. DC asked MC to let her know when he is in the area.
JMAC: Taking over from IW as Secretary for the GGU and consequently as Treasurer of the GCGP and was happy to accept this role @ 2nd September 2014. The Committee welcomed JMAC and thanked him for taking on this task. The bank had authorized the changes in signatures. DC requested that all paperwork remains the same for the purposes of the Bi-Annual Review and reports.
The committee would like to records their very grateful thanks to Ian for all his support over the last few years and for his continued support on the Committee.
MP: DC & MP had had a meeting with Gareth Jenkins the new Performance Manager for EG to discuss the CAP program and changes on the horizon. Due to changes at EG all funding would be changing in 2016 with direction towards U14 and U18 performance squads. Funding applications for U14 Special Projects is now live and applications need to be submitted by 1st November 2014.
ALL: A discussion around Gloucestershire’s application for the IMP Funding followed and approval of the application was made.
There was then an open discussion about trends and about introducing and retaining people into golf. We are measured of the APS (Active People Survey) and we cannot change the questions asked. We also need to educate the clubs into collection of data for potential offers etc.
The following sector’s were identified:
Local Authorities – Services – Health Services – Public Health (ML has link) – Glos, Som, Wilts Primary Health Care Trust (JB has link) – Diabetes (Blood pressure) – Key Employers (John Lewis/Waitrose) – Large Corporate (CSP’s) – Head Teachers (CSP’s).
Coaching Volunteers to be asked if a refresher of their Level 1 course would be useful and also invite them to any coaching workshops that are held.
Notice was given of the forthcoming England Golf Conference being held at Hinckley Wood on 16th/17th April 2015
There being no further business ML closed the meeting and thanked RE for his input into the meeting.
Date of next meeting: Monday 20th October – Minchinhampton New GC – 4pm (tea/coffee/cake available)