WORLD JUNIOR GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP Project Overview/Executive Summary: Golf Canada, through the Sport Development Committee has been looking at this event since 2010. Significant due diligence has happened during this time, investigating what is taking place globally in this space, are there plans from Japan to roll something out for girls, exploring ways to raise revenue for an event of this scope. It is very exciting that Golf Canada (GC) in partnership with the Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) are now in a position to launch and host the first World Junior Girls Golf Championship in September of 2014 and position it as the test event for the 2015 Pan-Am Games in Toronto. Currently, a World Junior Girls Golf Championship does not exist. Japan has hosted the World Junior Boys Team Championship annually since the mid 1990 s. A total of 60 countries attempt to qualify regionally each year with 12 countries successfully reaching the Championship in Japan. The International Golf Federation (IGF) (the international federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee) does not currently sanction any international junior events but they have expressed their support for a World Junior Girls Golf Championship and its role in growing the girl s game globally. The vision is to create a self-sustaining, world-class event that is recognized internationally as a must attend competition building to a fully sanctioned championship by the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. We would like to have Canada host a world-class event for junior aged (U18) girls on an annual basis. Building on the momentum of the 2015 Pan-Am Games we will create a legacy for coaches, volunteers, officials and young girls throughout the country. Our legacy plan is a multi-faceted strategy designed to impact the Ontario golf community; including those who support it and those who play it. First, Golf Canada and the GAO, in conjunction with the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO), will host a half-day high performance coaching symposium at the CSIO. This event will include all coaches from nations participating in the Championship as well as other sport coaches in Canada. Second, the 2014 World Junior Girls Golf Championship will serve as an incredible opportunity to train volunteers for the 2015 Pan-Am Games. All Pan-Am golf volunteers will be trained over the course of the week in scoring, transportation, security, marshaling, crowd control and all other activities associated with a world class event. Third, officials for the Pan-Am Games will be supported with training including rules, starting, scoring and timing and this championship will provide us the opportunity to train those individuals who will be officiating when the games are held in Toronto in 2015. Fourth, a skills development clinic will be offered. As part of the
Championship week, GC and the GAO will facilitate a half-day clinic for young girls from across Ontario to support and inspire them to become the next generation of Ontario Champions. Finally, the National final of the Future Links Junior Skills Challenge will be hosted as part of the celebration around this event, bringing in junior golfers from across the country who have qualified the Skills Challenge events across the country to compete in a national final. Our collective expectation for this international event is that it will be attended by hundreds of spectators from across North America and the invited countries; that it will be professionally conducted and managed; attract significant corporate support and deliver a memorable experience for dignitaries and VIP s from around the world. The event concept has been discussed and supported at the Sport Development Committee level and the overview was shared with Amateur Championships Committee. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: The tentative dates for the World Junior Girls Golf Championship event are September 14th 19th, 2014. Format: Competitors: 3 Girls per country (including additional Canadian team from Ontario) Delegation: 2 Coaches OR 1 Coach and 1 Non-Playing Captain CLASSIFICATION: Athletes must be under 18 as of the last day of scheduled golf competitions of the 2014 World Junior Girls Golf Championship (September 19, 2014). Date of Birth: Born on September 19, 1995 or later Eligibility: Competitors: Girls from recognized Golf Federations, as recognized by Golf Canada Coaches: Determined by participating golf federations Competition: Rules: Rules of play are those of Golf Canada Team Competition 72 hole Stroke Play Individual Competition 72 hole Stroke Play September 13 (Sat) Media Day September 14 (Sun) Junior/Amateur Fundraiser o CSIO Coaching Summit September 15 (Mon) Official Practice Round o Girls Skill Development Clinic Golf Canada 2
o Junior Skills Challenge Final o Opening Ceremony September 16 (Tue) Team/Individual 1st round September 17 (Wed) Team/Individual 2nd round September 18 (Thu) Team/Individual 3rd round September 19 (Fri) Team/Individual Final round Closing Ceremony Sport Scoring: Stroke Play - Team Each team will count their 2 lowest scores each day these scores will represent their team total. The Gold Medal is awarded to the team with the lowest aggregate total following 72 holes Stroke Play Individual Each individual will post a score each day The Gold Medal is awarded to the lowest aggregate individual total following 72-holes. Program Participants: 16 Countries will be identified to participate in the inaugural World Junior Girls Golf Championship and will be selected based on their finish at the 2012 World Amateur Team Championship in Turkey. In addition, Canada would be allowed to enter a 2nd team bringing the total participating teams to 17. If any of the 15 countries who are invited decide not to attend, we will replace them with the next highest ranked country. The following nations will be extended invitations: 1. Canada (2) 2. United States 3. Spain 4. Sweden 5. Colombia 6. Australia 7. Korea 8. Japanor Girls Golf Championship 2. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION 9. France 10. England 11. South Africa 12. New Zealand 13. China 14. Mexico 15. Argentina 16. Scotland. Golf Canada 3
Program Location: As the test event for the 2015 Pan-Am Games, we have targeted the 2014 World Junior Girls Golf Championship to be held on the South Course at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham Ontario (still to be confirmed). Angus Glen has two championship caliber courses, excellent clubhouse and training facilities and has hosted two RBC Canadian Open Championships (PGA Tour) and one CN Canadian Women s Open Championship (LPGA Tour). Measureable Goals/Targets for the event Hosting the World Junior Girls Golf Championship is a major development opportunity, one that will result in a lasting legacy Coaching Summit In conjunction with the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO), GC and the GAO will host a half-day high performance symposium at the CSIO on Sunday September 13th. The event will run from 9:00am 1:00pm and all coaches from participating nations in the Championship as well as other sport coaches in Ontario will be invited. A total of over 24 world class coaches will be invited. Pan Am Games Volunteer Training The World Junior Girls Golf Championship will be an incredible training opportunity for All Pan-Am golf volunteers in each of the operational areas including; scoring, transportation, security, marshaling, crowd control and other activities. Training will be a week long process in an environment which will be both challenging and rewarding in an effort to prepare them for success in 2015. 100 Volunteers will be impacted. Development Clinics for girls GC and the GAO will facilitate a half-day skills development clinic for young girls from across Ontario. This Future Champions clinic will take place the afternoon of the practice round, September 14th and will include assistance from some of the players in the Championship. A total of 24 active participants will be inspired. Profiling/Talent ID As part of the event week, the Junior Skills Challenge National final will be held on September 14th. Junior Skills Challenge is an event which involves the players that achieved the highest skills challenge score from events that have taken place across Canada throughout the season. By participating in a local CN FL Junior Skills Challenge, player s scores are entered into the National Leaderboard by the site coordinators. Once the events are completed and scores have been uploaded players can track their results to see how they measure up to other players their age. Golf Canada selects the top players from each age group in both genders and offers them a subsidized opportunity to compete in the CN FL Junior Skills Challenge National Event. A total of 30 boys and girls will participate. Golf Canada 4
It is difficult to quantitatively measure the impact of Canada hosting a world class junior girl targeted event, as it has never happened. We know that the number of girls competing in golf is decreasing bringing the best in the world to Canada will provide exposure to Canadian youth that we have never had. Financials: A budget has been built around the event which includes covering all expenses for 4 individuals from each country (3 players + 1 delegate). The total expenses for the event are estimated to come in at 250K. At this point we have secured revenue from the following sources: Ontario Ministry 120K Pan Am Pilot 50K Golf Canada Women s Fund 75K Other grants we have put in applications to are: R&A Sport Canada Hosting There is no financial risk at this point financially to Golf Canada and the budget contemplates funding going towards administrative support to run the event. We are discussing with the GAO the specifics around delivery of the event. Future plans on how the program will become self-sufficient: It is the feeling of both Golf Canada and the Golf Association of Ontario that over the course of 2-3 years we will be able establish this event on the international calendar (ensuring us a world class field) while at the same time establishing the event in the Canadian Sport Calendar. We do feel that an event has significance to local tourism as well as the Sport Canada s strategy to host world class events. Our hope is that through sponsor support and creative fundraising around the event i.e. the Junior/Am event we will be able to secure funds by the 3 rd year to run the event without solely relying on grant money Golf Canada 5
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