The future of young people participating in sport relies on the social side, finding friendship and connection to keep them motivated when school work and other things compete for their time.

Canterbury Golf has come up with a visionary girls project to foster a community where girls build friendships, in a fun and creative way through golf.

This project expands on the work Canterbury Golf is doing with the Futures Canterbury Hubs that were established to provide quality and engaging opportunities for young people and families.

The Girls X Futures Golf project is aligned with Golf NZ's She Loves Golf and Love Golf Futures strategies which aim to inspire female participation and provide opportunities for young people of all skill levels and backgrounds to be active for life, meet new friends and develop valuable life skills.

“We will be offering a supportive environment for girls to get involved, we'll be using female role models and coaches helping to inspire participation” said Canterbury Golf Development Manager Rachel Thow.

“The progamme will initially focus on 7-13 year olds to introduce these girls to the game with a long term focus on growing the love of the game long term."

Thow said that over the years there have been a number of girls who started playing at a young age that have continued with golf.

Amongst them, one is playing at the top level of the game (Maddie May) and another is ranked among the Top 30 in the world (Amelia Garvey).

May says she played mainly with boys, and otherwise on her own, “it was hard to have the motivation to play when you’re by yourself.” 

She has volunteered her time to assist the group of girls who play as part of Canterbury Golf’s Girls Group pilot at Russley Golf Club on Mondays in springtime. She understands how the camaraderie can add to motivation.

“When you’re younger, you enjoy the team element of sports. Being with other people.” 

The connection and camaraderie in the girls group is clear and evident, from the tees to the putting green.

"We want to build connections and friendships,” says Thow. 

Futures is Golf New Zealand’s approach for young people. It’s about providing opportunities for young people and families to play golf.

 “We offer coaching programmes and events for young people and families to enjoy playing golf.”

Deborah Laughton’s granddaughter Bailey Delaney, 10, goes to South Hornby Primary School. She sees Futures as playing an important role.

 “It’s just a matter of keeping them interested and going out to practice.”

Thow says that having mentors such as Maddie May has put them in a much stronger position to evolve with hanging times.

“We appreciate how much Maddie is keen to give back, in her own time, to help younger girls.”

As May points out, based on her own childhood golf memories: “I would have loved to have had more girls to play with when I started. That would have been amazing.”

In Term 1 2021, Canterbury Golf is launching a new programme – check out Girls Golf Programs :: Canterbury Golf

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