A second Covid-19 lockdown for England may have started this week, but funding for important and impactful sport for development projects starting early next year remains available.
One such opportunity is the ‘HSBC Golf Roots PLUS’ funding being offered by the Golf Foundation, as part of the #GolfForGood initiative which the European Tour launched during the summer.
Funding of up to £1500 is available from the Foundation, with the aim of making golf more accessible to a greater diversity of young people and their communities.
DIVERSITY
Projects in receipt of the funding are expected to commence in early 2021, so applicants are being encouraged to enter before the deadline of Friday 4th December.
Martin Crowder, Head of Development for the Golf Foundation, said: “HSBC Golf Roots PLUS projects are a key part of our charity’s drive to make golf more accessible to a greater diversity of young people and their communities.
“It’s about giving all young people a great experience so that their perception of golf is positive and they want to play more, and engage with the sport.”
The Golf Roots PLUS projects, which are funded by HSBC and the Gerald Micklem Charitable Trust, have previously supported a wide range of young people, including those who are disabled and/or have special educational needs (SEND), and those with behavioural issues.
Other projects have worked to build the confidence of young people and widen their social opportunities through golf, while offering further local community benefits. These include charity and local authority-led groups in deprived economic areas, offering structured and sustainable learning for young people who can be new to the game.
Over the last year, 15 organisations have benefited from the funding. Current projects include the Coalfields Regeneration Trust in Wales, Special Olympics Sandwell, the Bath Rugby Community Foundation and Inspired Sports Solutions in Birmingham.
COMMUNITIES
Martin added: “Supporting community projects in this way seems particularly valid during this period of Covid-19 hardship. The #GolfForGood message is about golf as a sport working together to give something back to young people and communities.
“Importantly, these ‘PLUS’ projects need to be sustainable and wherever possible they are linked to our network of junior-friendly golf clubs, creating a long-term opportunity for many new young players.”
Further examples of successful PLUS projects:
- Changing Lives in Harlow is a project that has been supporting young people at risk of exclusion and serious youth violence. The team worked with Essex Police, including an ‘Unleash your Drive’ workshop to help young people deal with pressure, improve self-control and other benefits.
- Rivermead School in Kent received a PLUS grant to support an inclusive golf project for young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
- Positive Futures in Caerphilly, where 55 young people enjoyed community golf sessions in one of the most deprived areas in Wales.
- Northamptonshire Sport & Brampton Heath Golf Club supported young people who attended six mainstream schools that have SEND units, with follow-on golf coaching at Brampton Heath Golf Club.
- Hertfordshire Golf Development received funding for its 'Autism in Golf' project that offered golf activity to around 90 young autistic people, helping youngsters to be more physically active.
- North Lanarkshire Golf Development Group created a pathway for children with social and behavioural problems. Each school received a 10-week training programme where they received coaching from PGA professionals.
The #GolfForGood initiative has supported multiple regional charitable opportunities with former Ryder Cup Captain Thomas Bjorn raising thousands of pounds for the Golf Foundation and Unicef UK during his #Wentworth2Wales walk.
To apply for a HSBC Golf Roots PLUS discretionary grant, fill out and complete the form at this link.
Visit the Golf Foundation’s page on the ConnectSport directory. To add your organisation for free, email hello@connectsport.co.uk.
