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In Victoria, the Playground to Fairway golf program has enrolled 1,100 children in 12 elementary schools over the past two years.
"As a sport, golf isn't always accessible to everyone, whether it be cost or location," said Jody Jackson, BCGA's Technical Director of Golf. "When we introduce it through the school system with quality instructors we can build excitement for golf and hopefully present an avenue for students to continue if they are keen. The end result is more kids being aware of the game, and we're keeping kids active."
Helping our youth become active is important-children and youth say they spend twice as much time in front of a TV or computer screen than they do engaged in physical activity, according to Active Healthy Kids Canada. And the number of obese children and youth has increased by 35.7% from 2003 to 2006.
Playground to Fairway is one of more than two dozen programs funded by 2010 Legacies Now, the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada through a three-year grant that supports B.C. organizations in attracting new participants to sport by improving access. Since 2004, 200,000 people in 110 B.C. communities have joined activities funded by the sport participation grants.
Playground to Fairway is open to children in Grades 4 to 6. So far, the B.C. Golf Association (BCGA) has put 20,000 children through the program in its first two years and is targetting another 5,000 in 2009/2010.
The grant from 2010 Legacies Now supports certifying coaches who train school children using SNAG equipment, which can be adapted to indoor use. This equipment is colourful, lightweight and designed for kids to see success within three swings-capturing their interest so they will continue playing long into the future.
