EXAMPLE GOLF CLUB SPORTS DEVELOPMENT PLAN [July 2006] [The following is supplied as a template for a golf club to modify and use as they see appropriate. The development plan that you produce should reflect what the golf club is going to do and you must ensure that the club is fully committed to its implementation in the timeframes that are specified. It is therefore vital that the action plan has the right volunteers in place to drive the actions forward] [The EGU/EWGA have also produced a guide to producing a sports development plan ] [Areas such as operations, administration and management are not referred to within this template, however you may wish to consider including these specific topics contact the EGU Club Services Department on 01526 354500 for specific advice on these matters] XXXXXXX Golf Club Sports Development Plan 200? To 200? Page 1 of 13
CONTENTS 1 Introduction. X 2 Key Objectives X 3 Action Plan X 3.1 Start (Recruitment) X 3.2 Stay (Retention) X 3.3 Player Development X 3.4 Coaching. X 3.5 Volunteers. X 3.6 Child Protection & Equity.. X 3.7 Communication X 3.8 Facilities. X 3.9 Monitoring & Evaluation.. X [The club may wish to include an appendices section containing a SWOT analysis for example or any other relevant documentation] Page 2 of 13
1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Golf Club Background [Insert in this section a brief summary of your golf club from its formation to the present day. It should contain an outline description of the growth of the club, including the course, clubhouse, facilities, membership, achievements, development work and appropriate links] 1.2 Future Vision [The following example text should be modified or replaced depending on what your club is looking to achieve in the coming years] XXXXXX Golf Club are looking to build on the solid base that has provided a warm and friendly club environment for men s, ladies, senior and junior golf over the past xx years. We will continue to improve on the management processes that are already in place and through the GolfMark award we will ensure that we have a safe and well-organised facility for our members. Where necessary we will implement new processes and procedures to meet changing governmental and/or local requirements. The continued health of the club and support for all standards of golfers is a key priority for the future and we aim to make the club more accessible to the whole community, by developing closer links with local agencies (council, schools, colleges, community groups and partnerships) and we acknowledge that the sharing of ideas and resources, coupled with closer co-operation will benefit all those involved. It is important that our club is viewed positively in the local area and that we can demonstrate that the club offers the game of golf to all regardless of age, gender or background in a well managed and controlled way through good management and qualified coaches. We also want to be known as a club that is welcoming to all, embracing and supporting the needs of players, members, volunteers and coaches who are at the heart of our community and our club. Page 3 of 13
2 KEY OBJECTIVES [The following are examples of objectives that you may wish to consider including within your plan. The objectives within this section can be separated into areas such as the golf club, men s golf, women s golf and junior golf] XXXXXX Golf Club supports the six-point agenda that is being driven by the governing bodies of golf in England (England Golf Partnership) in order to achieve more clubs obtaining GolfMark, more people playing, more club members, more volunteers, more coaches and more opportunities for players to get better. The golf club s main objectives are: To create an environment and structure in which young people can play, develop and enjoy golf. To foster and further develop relationships within the local community to encourage people of all ages to try golf as a sport and pastime. To encourage girls and women into the game of golf. To foster and further develop relationships within the local community and other sporting organisations that will ensure the continued growth and health of our golf club. To ensure that the benefits of the golf club are equally accessible to people of all abilities. To obtain and maintain the GolfMark award. To encourage local sponsors and local/national funding organisations to assist in the development of junior golf. To ensure appropriate child protection policy and procedures are implemented within the golf club. To develop a plan to attract new volunteers into the golf club and to support existing volunteers. To develop a plan to encourage members to support the work of the golf club and obtain appropriate coaching qualifications. To encourage more volunteers to become coaches and to advance the qualifications of existing coaches. To develop a coaching structure with a consistent approach across all age groups. To further develop the coaching of all our young players. To further develop the organisation and coaching and playing opportunities for all sections within our golf club. To develop well-defined pathways from junior golf (boys and girls) into adult golf. To communicate with appropriate bodies/individuals in order to support the development of golf within the club and to regularly liaise with all members regarding golfing opportunities. To examine the facilities available at the golf club in order to identify any gaps in provision. To review the accessibility of the golf club in terms of the requirements for golfers of all abilities. To continually monitor and evaluate all golf development initiatives in order to assess the impact and to identify where resources can be best allocated in the future. Page 4 of 13
3 Action Plan [The following are some examples of headings and actions for you to consider including within your plan, however not all sections may be relevant or appropriate to your club for example you may just wish to focus on junior golf] 3.1 Start (Recruitment) To foster and further develop relationships within the local community to encourage people to try golf as a sport and pastime, thus ensuring the continued growth and health of our golf club. ST 1 Involvement within the local community. Identify and work in partnership with local groups. Promote the opportunities available within the club. Identify priority groups to target. ST 2 Produce a recruitment strategy. Create a basic timeline of actions each year. Examine internal and external funding opportunities. ST 3 Increase participation and activity. Deliver an appropriate programme of taster sessions (juniors & adults). Arrange [insert number] open days for potential members. ST 4 Create links with local schools and colleges. Identify and contact local schools (primary & secondary) and colleges to work with. Deliver golf activities at appropriate schools and colleges. Produce a school-club plan (part of a PESSCL project). Apply for EGU/EWGA Free Golf Coaching ( 200) and ST 5 Junior Club Coaching Grant ( 125). Utilise England Golf Partnership (EGP) initiatives. Examine the need to run Golf Foundation programmes (Tri-Golf & Passport). Contact EGU/EWGA Development Officer if required. Page 5 of 13
3.2 Stay (Retention) To further develop the organisation and coaching and playing opportunities for all sections within our golf club, with the focus on obtaining and maintaining the GolfMark award. SY 1 Reduce restrictions to membership. Examine current membership accessibility and affordability and the types of membership offered. Create and change membership structures if appropriate. Promote membership vacancies through various types of SY 2 marketing/advertising. Increase membership [insert appropriate categories]. Create new incentives/categories to make membership more attractive. Produce an induction/welcome booklet for new members. Offer regular coaching and playing opportunities for all members. Produce a club handbook and club website. SY 3 Support for current members. Appoint a Junior Organiser. Consult the EGU/EWGA Junior Organisers Handbook (junior golf). Deliver the EGU/EWGA National Skills Challenge for junior members. Apply for the EGU/EWGA GolfMark award and work towards achieving the required standard. SY 4 Achieve the GolfMark award. Prioritise actions identified within the GolfMark award. Liaise with EGU/EWGA Development Officer as required. Page 6 of 13
3.3 Player Development To develop well-defined pathways from junior golf (boys and girls) into adult golf and to create an environment and structure in which young people can play, develop and enjoy golf. PD 1 Support the development of junior players. Provide a range of coaching and competitive opportunities for boys and girls. Utilise EGP initiatives and funding sources/resources to support player development. Liaise with county officials as appropriate. PD 2 Awareness of talent pathways. Promote county and national competitions. Communicate pathway to junior members and their parents through the website, newsletter or meetings. Embrace LTAD into the club s coaching and competitive PD 3 Embrace the national Long Term Athlete programmes. Development (LTAD) framework. Support the County Golf Partnership (CGP) in developing a county LTAD framework. Page 7 of 13
3.4 Coaching To develop a coaching structure with a consistent approach across all age groups, with particular focus on the coaching of all our young players and to encourage more volunteers to become coaches and to advance the qualifications of existing coaches. Identify the number of volunteer coaches required. CO 1 Train volunteers to become coaches. Train [insert number] volunteers to PGA Level 1 standard. Examine the requirements of the Tri Golf and Golf Xtreme activators course and the Leaders Award. Continue to support the club s coaching team. CO 2 Support for coaches. Liaise with the head professional on all coaching matters. Provide appropriate child protection and equity training for coaches (see Child Protection & Equity section). CO 3 Produce a coaching plan. Create a basic timeline of actions each year. Examine internal and external funding opportunities. CO 4 Utilise initiatives to deliver coaching. Apply for EGU/EWGA Free Golf Coaching ( 200) and Junior Club Coaching Grant ( 125). Investigate the PESSCL (school-club links) funding opportunity. Use appropriate equipment to deliver coaching. Contact EGU/EWGA Development Officer if required. Page 8 of 13
3.5 Volunteers To develop a plan to attract new volunteers into the golf club and to support existing volunteers. VO 1 Identify volunteer roles. Define volunteer roles that currently exist and those that are required. Identify volunteer responsibilities, tenure and tasks. Establish desirable skills and qualities for these roles. VO 2 Support and training for volunteers. Offer PGA Level 1 training (see Coaching section). Recognise existing volunteers through incentives. Identify potential sources of funding for volunteers. Provide child protection and equity training for relevant volunteers (see Child Protection & Equity section). VO 3 Increase number of volunteers involved. Encourage existing members and parents to support voluntary positions within the club. Deliver a workshop to promote the benefits of volunteering. VO 4 Embrace the EGP volunteer strategy. Produce a volunteer plan with basic timeline of actions. Identify local organisations that can support volunteers. Liaise with EGU/EWGA Development Officer. VO 5 Communication and support for parents. Hold a parents evening (include junior members and nonmembers). Regularly communicate with parents via letters, newsletters and website. Page 9 of 13
3.6 Child Protection & Equity To ensure appropriate child protection policy and procedures are implemented within the golf club and to ensure that the benefits of the golf club are equally accessible to people of all abilities. Appoint a Club Welfare Officer (job description required). Produce and endorse a child protection policy statement. Consult Children In Golf (CiG) guidelines. Risk assess current and planned activities to prioritise the CP 1 Introduce/maintain appropriate child implementation of procedures. protection guidelines and procedures. Identify appropriate training for relevant individuals. Communicate policy and procedures to members, staff, players and parents. Liaise with EGU/EWGA Development Officer *[support also available through GolfMark]. CP 2 CP 3 Introduce/maintain appropriate equity guidelines and procedures. Identify examples of best practice. Review current club practice to establish barriers to participation (priority groups). Follow EGU/EWGA guidelines in adopting policy and procedures. Identify appropriate training for relevant individuals. Communicate policy and procedures to members, staff, players and parents. Liaise with EGU/EWGA Development Officer *[support also available through GolfMark]. As provided by CiG (child protection). As provided by EGU/EWGA (equity). * [Child protection and equity are part of the GolfMark initiative (see Stay section) and golf clubs that apply for the award will receive support and guidance on the actions highlighted within this section] Page 10 of 13
3.7 Communication To communicate with appropriate bodies/individuals in order to support the development of golf within the club and to regularly liaise with all members regarding golfing opportunities. Ensure all appropriate individuals/bodies are involved within the decision-making process within the club. Create and maintain a club website and club handbook. CM 1 Produce a communication strategy (internal & Produce a club newsletter [insert number] times per year. external). Link to recruitment strategy (advertising facility, vacancies). Include golf development/junior golf as an agenda item on main club committee and at club AGM. CM 2 Support the County Golf Partnership (CGP). Regularly communicate with the CGP [through the County Development Officer if in post]. Support and utilise countywide initiatives run by the CGP. Support the promotion of golf at county level. CM 3 Support the EGP in Growing the Game. Promote and utilise national initiatives that will benefit the club and our members. Support the national promotion of golf at local level. Communicate with EGU/EWGA Development Officer as appropriate. Page 11 of 13
3.8 Facilities To examine the facilities available at the golf club in order to identify any gaps in provision and to review the accessibility of the golf club in terms of the requirements for golfers of all abilities. FA 1 Audit of current facilities. Conduct an audit of current facilities (including golfing and non-golfing services). Include a survey of member s comments on the current facilities. Create a basic timeline of actions if appropriate. FA 2 Devise an appropriate facility plan. Identify possible funding sources to support the development of the facility. Adhere to the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). Create links with local driving ranges and/or pitch & putt FA 3 Links with other local facilities. courses to promote membership opportunities. Create links with other sports clubs and/or leisure facilities to promote the club (possible reciprocal link). Page 12 of 13
3.9 Monitoring & Evaluation To continually monitor and evaluate all golf development initiatives in order to assess the impact and identify where resources can be best focused in the future. Complete a golf club health check (current position). Create a database to help monitor initiatives and record participants/members activity. MO 1 Continually monitor development initiatives. Communicate findings to appropriate individuals and bodies through the website, newsletter or other means. Support the EGU/EWGA and CGP with relevant research projects (including completing the biennial Golf Club Membership Questionnaire). Conduct a survey to establish the requirements of current members. MO 2 Members requirements and exit survey. Conduct an exit survey to establish the reasons why exmembers have left the club. Collect and analyse data on participants and members as appropriate in order to obtain a profile. Utilise all current strands of funding for development. MO 3 Examine different sources of funding. Contact appropriate external funding bodies. Contact EGU/EWGA Development Officer. Page 13 of 13