Cheshire Union Of Golf Clubs Junior Golf Seminar Mere Golf & Country Club Tuesday 21 st March 2006.

Cheshire Union Of Golf ClubsCheshire Union Of Golf Clubs

Junior Golf SeminarJunior Golf Seminar

Mere Golf & Country Mere Golf & Country ClubClub

Tuesday 21Tuesday 21stst March 2006 March 2006

Cheshire Union Of Golf ClubsCheshire Union Of Golf Clubs

Welcome FromWelcome From

The Cheshire Union Of Golf Clubs :The Cheshire Union Of Golf Clubs :

President -President - Malcolm Fitches Wilmslow GCMalcolm Fitches Wilmslow GCDeputy President -Deputy President - John AllenJohn AllenSecretary -Secretary - Stephen FosterStephen FosterBoy’s Team Manager -Boy’s Team Manager - Bob MestonBob MestonChairman Junior Committee -Chairman Junior Committee - Colin ShadboltColin Shadbolt

Members of the County Executive and Vice PresidentsMembers of the County Executive and Vice Presidents

County Coaching Team :County Coaching Team :

Alan Thompson -Alan Thompson - Heswall Golf ClubHeswall Golf ClubPeter Barber - Peter Barber - Didsbury Golf ClubDidsbury Golf Club

Cheshire Union Of Golf ClubsCheshire Union Of Golf Clubs

Our GuestsOur GuestsEnglish Golf Union :English Golf Union :

Richard Flint Richard Flint Development ManagerDevelopment ManagerMelanie McMahon NW Regional Development OfficerMelanie McMahon NW Regional Development Officer

Cheshire Ladies Golf Association :Cheshire Ladies Golf Association :

Margaret JamiesonMargaret Jamieson CaptainCaptainKaren SchneiderKaren Schneider Immediate Past CaptainImmediate Past CaptainMargaret CookMargaret Cook Vice CaptainVice CaptainMargaret WalkerMargaret Walker County Junior OrganiserCounty Junior OrganiserWin Heath Win Heath County Training officerCounty Training officer

Affiliated Golf Clubs :Affiliated Golf Clubs :

Junior Organisers and Officials from 60 Golf ClubsJunior Organisers and Officials from 60 Golf Clubs

Cheshire Union Of Golf ClubsCheshire Union Of Golf Clubs

Seminar ProgrammeSeminar Programme IntroductionIntroduction

EEGU Presentation :GU Presentation : County Golf PartnershipsCounty Golf PartnershipsNational Golf Development Plan National Golf Development Plan

Child ProtectionChild Protection The County PositionThe County Position The EGU and CiG PositionThe EGU and CiG Position

County Junior GolfCounty Junior Golf

Open DiscussionOpen Discussion

Cheshire Union Of Golf ClubsCheshire Union Of Golf Clubs

IntroductionIntroduction Seminar is a Biennial Event.Seminar is a Biennial Event.

Objectives :Objectives :

Provide an insight into the local and national “Junior Provide an insight into the local and national “Junior Golf Scene”.Golf Scene”. A forum to review issues of interest.A forum to review issues of interest. Improve communications between Clubs and the Improve communications between Clubs and the County.County. Explain approach to Club Liaison – Explain approach to Club Liaison – What we can do What we can do for Clubs – What we seek from Clubsfor Clubs – What we seek from Clubs. . Give an opportunity to meet colleagues.Give an opportunity to meet colleagues.

Cheshire has a strong golfing tradition, ranked 5Cheshire has a strong golfing tradition, ranked 5thth in in number of Clubs, we have 104 Affiliated Clubs with around number of Clubs, we have 104 Affiliated Clubs with around around 3000 Junior Members.around 3000 Junior Members.

Cheshire Union Of Golf ClubsCheshire Union Of Golf Clubs

Presentation by The English Golf Presentation by The English Golf UnionUnion

Cheshire Union Of Golf ClubsCheshire Union Of Golf Clubs

Child Protection – County PositionChild Protection – County Position This is a real issue which we must acknowledge and take This is a real issue which we must acknowledge and take appropriate action.appropriate action.

The CiG Resource Pack Published June 2005.The CiG Resource Pack Published June 2005.

Clubs, The County Organisations and people working in Clubs, The County Organisations and people working in Junior golf have concerns with the “apparent” provisions of Junior golf have concerns with the “apparent” provisions of this document.this document.

Cheshire were and remain determined to employ a Cheshire were and remain determined to employ a measured sensible approach to these issues.measured sensible approach to these issues.

August 2005 we submitted a detailed statement of our August 2005 we submitted a detailed statement of our observations and conclusions requesting that the document observations and conclusions requesting that the document in its published form be withdrawn. in its published form be withdrawn.

Cheshire Union Of Golf ClubsCheshire Union Of Golf Clubs

Major Observations and ConcernsMajor Observations and Concerns Appointment of “Welfare Officer”.Appointment of “Welfare Officer”.

Affiliation dependent on adoption of policies.Affiliation dependent on adoption of policies.

Strict isolation of parental /County(Club) responsibility Strict isolation of parental /County(Club) responsibility – the “drop and forget” mentality.– the “drop and forget” mentality.

Changing room practice.Changing room practice.

Adults and Juniors playing together.Adults and Juniors playing together.

Attendance registration.Attendance registration.

Provisions for recruitment and training.Provisions for recruitment and training.

Photography.Photography.

Late collection, transportation.Late collection, transportation.

Cheshire Union Of Golf ClubsCheshire Union Of Golf Clubs

Our ConclusionsOur Conclusions The document provides insight into issues and potential The document provides insight into issues and potential situations which we need to be aware of.situations which we need to be aware of.

Many “imposed requirements” were considered Many “imposed requirements” were considered impractical - difficult or in-appropriate.impractical - difficult or in-appropriate.

Compliance would result in a significant cost and Compliance would result in a significant cost and administrative burden on the County/Clubs.administrative burden on the County/Clubs.

Potential liability through incomplete compliance.Potential liability through incomplete compliance.

Unfortunate that no distinction is made between younger Unfortunate that no distinction is made between younger children and say16-17 year olds.children and say16-17 year olds.

Misleading impression that proposed “practices” were Misleading impression that proposed “practices” were “no choice” legislative requirements.“no choice” legislative requirements.

Adoption would damage Junior Golf particularly deterring Adoption would damage Junior Golf particularly deterring volunteers which we depend on.volunteers which we depend on.

Cheshire Union Of Golf ClubsCheshire Union Of Golf Clubs

Resulting DevelopmentsResulting Developments In response to widespread concerns the EGU set up a In response to widespread concerns the EGU set up a “Focus Group” to review the issues.“Focus Group” to review the issues.

Further distribution of CiG Resource Pack suspended.Further distribution of CiG Resource Pack suspended.

We believe that the EGU accepted the validity of many of We believe that the EGU accepted the validity of many of the concerns which had been expressed.the concerns which had been expressed.

CiG Group requested to reconsider the position. CiG Group requested to reconsider the position.

Working Group set up to propose changes, in-process.Working Group set up to propose changes, in-process.

Anticipated Outcome :Anticipated Outcome : New leaflet will be published advising on need for New leaflet will be published advising on need for Counties and Clubs to have a “Policy”, existing CiG Counties and Clubs to have a “Policy”, existing CiG document will be “examples for guidance only”.document will be “examples for guidance only”.

Cheshire Union Of Golf ClubsCheshire Union Of Golf Clubs

County IntentionsCounty Intentions Review existing practices and documentation.Review existing practices and documentation.

Produce a single “Junior Golf Operations and Policy Produce a single “Junior Golf Operations and Policy Document” issued as a County - Parent Agreement.Document” issued as a County - Parent Agreement.

Will define what the County can do, how we set out to do it Will define what the County can do, how we set out to do it and our expectations of the Parents’ role and and our expectations of the Parents’ role and responsibilities.responsibilities.

Will include provisions for “Handling” any suspected cases Will include provisions for “Handling” any suspected cases of abuse or bullying.of abuse or bullying.

We will continue to require all new County Officials on the We will continue to require all new County Officials on the Junior Committee to be subject to CRB checks.Junior Committee to be subject to CRB checks.

Cheshire Union Of Golf ClubsCheshire Union Of Golf Clubs

County Junior GolfCounty Junior Golf

The CUGC Role and Achievements In :The CUGC Role and Achievements In :

Start - Stay - SucceedStart - Stay - Succeed

Club Junior LiaisonClub Junior Liaison

Cheshire Union Of Golf ClubsCheshire Union Of Golf Clubs

StartStart

Historically the role of the Golf Foundation supported by Historically the role of the Golf Foundation supported by the PGA.the PGA.

The County will continue to encourage Clubs to :The County will continue to encourage Clubs to : Recruit more Junior Members.Recruit more Junior Members. Provide affordable “Subscriptions”.Provide affordable “Subscriptions”. Avoid “Joining Fees”.Avoid “Joining Fees”. Run Coaching Programmes.Run Coaching Programmes.

The County are reviewing the current initiatives regarding The County are reviewing the current initiatives regarding “County Golf Partnerships”.“County Golf Partnerships”.

The County continues to work with and encourage the The County continues to work with and encourage the “Cheshire Schools Golf Association”.“Cheshire Schools Golf Association”.

Cheshire Union Of Golf ClubsCheshire Union Of Golf Clubs

StayStay The County annually tracks overall membership numbers The County annually tracks overall membership numbers within our Affiliated Clubs.within our Affiliated Clubs.

Provide support where difficulties exist.Provide support where difficulties exist.

Clubs have a responsibility to encourage younger people to Clubs have a responsibility to encourage younger people to remain members :remain members :

“ “Drop Out” of Junior Members.Drop Out” of Junior Members. Awareness of financial pressures on younger people – Awareness of financial pressures on younger people – encourage generous age related fee structures. Some encourage generous age related fee structures. Some Clubs only apply full rates at 25/36, many other still at 21.Clubs only apply full rates at 25/36, many other still at 21.

The increased provision of “Pay and Play” capacity and The increased provision of “Pay and Play” capacity and “Two for One” schemes have clearly had an effect, on “Two for One” schemes have clearly had an effect, on particularly younger people joining or remaining Members of particularly younger people joining or remaining Members of Clubs. Recognise fees are expensive if you have limited Clubs. Recognise fees are expensive if you have limited opportunities to play.opportunities to play.

Cheshire Union Of Golf ClubsCheshire Union Of Golf Clubs

SucceedSucceed The County Junior Budget is now approaching £26,000p.a. The County Junior Budget is now approaching £26,000p.a. Coaching accounts for £16,000.Coaching accounts for £16,000.

Main elements of “County Coaching Programme”:Main elements of “County Coaching Programme”: 150 Boys selected from “Club Reports” for our “Driving 150 Boys selected from “Club Reports” for our “Driving Range Assessment Programme”.Range Assessment Programme”. 48 Boys receive 2 x 2 hour follow up sessions.48 Boys receive 2 x 2 hour follow up sessions. Two squads of 10 Boys for Winter Programme at Two squads of 10 Boys for Winter Programme at Carden Park and Portal.Carden Park and Portal.

The County are indebted to our Coaching Team ;The County are indebted to our Coaching Team ; Alan Thompson – Heswall GC (Also EGU Coach)Alan Thompson – Heswall GC (Also EGU Coach) Peter Barber – Didsbury GCPeter Barber – Didsbury GC Assisted by; Robin Thompson (Prenton GC) and Adrian Assisted by; Robin Thompson (Prenton GC) and Adrian Hill (Portal GC).Hill (Portal GC).

Support Club Coaching Programmes. Only 33% of Clubs Support Club Coaching Programmes. Only 33% of Clubs take the £75 County - 23% the £125 EGU Grant.take the £75 County - 23% the £125 EGU Grant.

Cheshire Union Of Golf ClubsCheshire Union Of Golf Clubs

SucceedSucceed Boys Pre-Season Fixture.Boys Pre-Season Fixture.

Major County Events :Major County Events :Boys Championship (U18).Boys Championship (U18).Junior Championship (U16 & U14).Junior Championship (U16 & U14).

National / Regional County Boys Team Events :National / Regional County Boys Team Events : The Four Counties Tournament.The Four Counties Tournament. EGU Northern Group Championship/Qualifier.EGU Northern Group Championship/Qualifier.

Inter County Boys Team Matches :Inter County Boys Team Matches : Yorkshire – Lancashire – Shropshire – North Wales.Yorkshire – Lancashire – Shropshire – North Wales. “ “Mixed Age “ Matches with Derbyshire, Lancs.Mixed Age “ Matches with Derbyshire, Lancs.

Support for Boy’s entering Major Championships.Support for Boy’s entering Major Championships.

Support for the Club Junior Leagues which are very strong Support for the Club Junior Leagues which are very strong throughout the County – New County Finals Day Birchwood throughout the County – New County Finals Day Birchwood GC, Saturday 23GC, Saturday 23rdrd September. September.

Cheshire Union Of Golf ClubsCheshire Union Of Golf Clubs

Recent National Achievements Recent National Achievements

Adam Wills – Sandiway GC, England U18 Squad.Adam Wills – Sandiway GC, England U18 Squad. Josh Sims – Caldy GC and Martin Thomas – RLGC, Josh Sims – Caldy GC and Martin Thomas – RLGC, receiving EGU NW Regional Coaching.receiving EGU NW Regional Coaching. Ian Winstanley (+2), - Warrington GC, England U21 Ian Winstanley (+2), - Warrington GC, England U21 Squad, 2005 Winner Northern Order of Merit.Squad, 2005 Winner Northern Order of Merit. Stephen Capper (+3),– Caldy GC, individual EGU Stephen Capper (+3),– Caldy GC, individual EGU coaching, runner up English Amateur 2005.coaching, runner up English Amateur 2005. Paul Waring (+3),– Bromborough GC, EGU Elite Squad, Paul Waring (+3),– Bromborough GC, EGU Elite Squad, 2005 English Amateur Champion.2005 English Amateur Champion. David Horsey (+4),– Styal GC, EGU Elite Squad, 2005 David Horsey (+4),– Styal GC, EGU Elite Squad, 2005 English County Champion of Champions.English County Champion of Champions.

Northern Region League Champions 2004.Northern Region League Champions 2004. Runner-up to Yorkshire in 2005.Runner-up to Yorkshire in 2005. English Senior County Champions 2005.English Senior County Champions 2005. Seniors National Squads, Roy Smethurst, Phil Jones, Seniors National Squads, Roy Smethurst, Phil Jones, George Payne.George Payne.

Cheshire Union Of Golf ClubsCheshire Union Of Golf Clubs

Appearances in The Home Appearances in The Home Internationals by County 2000-05Internationals by County 2000-05

10

8

6

4

2

COUNTY

BB&O

CHESHIRE

CORNWALL

CUMBRIA

DEVON

DORSET

ESSEX

HAMPSHIRE

HERTS.

KENT

LANCASHIRE

LEICS.

LINCS.

MIDDLESEX

NORTHANTS.

NOTTS.

STAFFS.

SUFFOLK

SURREY

SUSSEX

YORKSHIRE

APPEARANCES

Cheshire Union Of Golf ClubsCheshire Union Of Golf Clubs

SummarySummary The County is doing well, Boys Junior Golf is currently The County is doing well, Boys Junior Golf is currently strong in terms of numbers and quality.strong in terms of numbers and quality.

We can do better – the Clubs will continue to have a vital We can do better – the Clubs will continue to have a vital role.role.

We are identifying Best National Practices and applying We are identifying Best National Practices and applying them in Cheshire. Alan Thompson is a National Coach and them in Cheshire. Alan Thompson is a National Coach and RWM is on the National Coaching Committee.RWM is on the National Coaching Committee.

We encourage Clubs to consider“Junior Golf Mark We encourage Clubs to consider“Junior Golf Mark Accreditation”, and particularly to continue to recruit and Accreditation”, and particularly to continue to recruit and develop our Juniors for the future.develop our Juniors for the future.

Please help us to develop effective communications.Please help us to develop effective communications.

Please submit Junior Golf Reports promptly.Please submit Junior Golf Reports promptly.

Thank you for your support.Thank you for your support.

Cheshire Union Of Golf ClubsCheshire Union Of Golf Clubs

County Communications.County Communications. Use the County website www.cheshiregolf.org.ukUse the County website www.cheshiregolf.org.uk

The structure of Club Junior Liaison Officers :The structure of Club Junior Liaison Officers : Members of the County Junior Committee.Members of the County Junior Committee. Allocation of approx 10 Clubs each.Allocation of approx 10 Clubs each. Please feel free to contact them for any support, Please feel free to contact them for any support, guidance or just to chat .guidance or just to chat . Contact now available by E-Mail using webpage “Junior Contact now available by E-Mail using webpage “Junior Liaison” as a link or :Liaison” as a link or :

[email protected] [email protected]

Register of Club Junior Organisers please help us to keep Register of Club Junior Organisers please help us to keep this up to date.this up to date.

Please tell us about your promising Juniors - use the Junior Please tell us about your promising Juniors - use the Junior Golfer Report available on the website.Golfer Report available on the website.

Cheshire Union Of Golf ClubsCheshire Union Of Golf Clubs

Open DiscussionsOpen Discussions Wallasey GC :Wallasey GC :

How do other Clubs deal with youngsters up to 11 How do other Clubs deal with youngsters up to 11 years of age?years of age?

Vale Royal Abbey :Vale Royal Abbey : Does the County support golf in the Duke of Does the County support golf in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.Edinburgh's Award Scheme.

Romiley GC and others :Romiley GC and others :Various concerns regarding the CiG publication.Various concerns regarding the CiG publication.

Concluding RemarksConcluding RemarksMalcolm Fitches - President of the CUGCMalcolm Fitches - President of the CUGC

Our grateful appreciation goes to Mere G&CC for making Our grateful appreciation goes to Mere G&CC for making their facilities available to us tonight.their facilities available to us tonight.

Our thanks to you all for your attendance.Our thanks to you all for your attendance.