Girls Golf Rocks is back for 2020 and clubs in England can now sign up to make it bigger and better then ever.
The programme is now in its fifth year and has helped introduce over 5,000 girls to the game of golf – inspiring beginners to enjoy themselves in a fun, friendly and safe environment.
Applications are now open for affiliated clubs and HSBC Golf Roots centres who wish to join in the fun for 2020 and encourage the next generation of girl golfers to pick up a club for the first time and have a ball at their local golf venue.
The closing date for applications is 8 January, 2020.
In 2019, 112 facilities across England signed up to make Girls Golf Rocks a runaway success.
In 2020, there is scope for up to 200 facilities across all counties to get involved in the biggest girls’ coaching programme in the country.
England Golf and the Golf Foundation have joined forces once again to set up the initiative and will provide marketing tools, resources and coach-funding for clubs eager to take part.
Clubs will be tasked with teeing up two separate six-week teaching blocks at times convenient to them between May and October 2020.
The emphasis on the lessons is for the girls to learn the fundamentals of the game, have fun with their mates in a comfortable and relaxed setting without too much emphasis on the coaching and competitive elements of the game.
The six-week blocks will take the girls through all the basics culminating in a final session on the course where they can put into practice all they have learned from their PGA-qualified coach.
Clubs can also stage taster sessions ahead of any coaching block – however this is at the discretion and expense of each club.
The aim of Girls Golf Rocks is to boost participation numbers and address for the long-term the disparity in numbers between girls and boys playing the game.
While qualified PGA professionals will lead the sessions, Girls Golf Rocks will also encourage current girl members to act as peer role-models and assist in the delivery at each club by becoming ambassadors.
In 2019, 166 girl ambassadors helped support the sessions and ensured it was the most successful campaign to date.
Lauren Spray, Women and Girls manager at England Golf said: “We’re excited to open applications to clubs looking to get involved in the 2020 Girls Golf Rocks campaign.
“Thousands of girls have been already introduced to the sport and caught the golfing bug through Girls Golf Rocks.
“Now we want to encourage new recruits to share in the fun and start out on their own golfing pathway.”
Martin Crowder, Head of Development for the Golf Foundation, said: “Girls Golf Rocks offers young girls a great start in golf in a fun and welcoming atmosphere.
“The Girls Golf Rocks ambassadors play a vital role as they are able to show that golf can be a cool, sociable, healthy and athletic sport that new players can enjoy together and make new friends at the same time.”
For a 2020 application form and more details on the Girls Golf Rocks programme please go to www.girlsgolfrocks.org