The Development Plan - Summary

The overall aim of the Wiltshire Golf Partnership is to promote the game of golf and standard of play and to introduce more people to the game and into regular participation, regardless of age, gender and background.

The Wiltshire Golf Partnership Development Plan covers a three year period 2008 - 2010 inclusive.
Detailed action plans have been drawn up under the following headings:

Recruitment : Aiming to increase the number of people playing golf in Wiltshire by 5% (increasing by 10% participation by women and girls and 19 to 40 year olds) - by promoting and running taster sessions and activity days for adults and juniors, targeting School and Community Link projects, improving links with non-affiliated facilities, County Sports Partnerships and Local Authorities and producing best practice templates for clubs.

Retention: In line with the Whole Sport Plan Key Performance Indicator, the partnership aims to get 40% of Wiltshire clubs accredited to GolfMark by 2010. In addition, clubs will be encouraged to offer flexible membership schemes to meet the specific needs of target groups (19-40 year olds, women and girls) and to introduce best practices to integrate new members within clubs. The partnership will seek to extend countywide benefits like the County Card scheme.

Player Development: The partnership seeks to promote national initiatives at a local level and will evolve accordingly to include Long Term Athlete Development protocol. As well as identifying potential/talent and helping to develop golfing skills in juniors and adults, the plan seeks to educate members on opportunities in education and careers in golf and retain communication links with players who move away from the area in to full time education.

Coaching Infrastructure: The partnership is committed to supporting new and existing volunteer and professional coaches within golf to ensure that the County has a co-ordinated network of coaches.

Resource Management: The partnership aims to offer training, support and recognition to volunteers and teaching professionals with an annual training programme, award scheme and presentation. The Partnership will actively seek funding to appoint a County Development Manager to help develop and implement the WGP Development Plan.

Good Practice: In order to promote good practice, the partnership will share best practice examples via the partnership web-site, club forums and regional GolfMark and Junior Organiser workshops, as well as providing Child Protection and Equity training.

Communication and Promotion: The key areas of the communication strategy are the Wiltshire Golf Partnership web-site, an electronic mail database (of golf clubs and interested/involved club members), regular email newsletters and initiative updates, an Annual Partnership Forum and liaison with the press to promote partnership activity.

Facilities and Clubs:The partnership aims to produce a directory of non-affiliated facilities and retain a database of affiliated clubs, supported by the EGU/ELGA biennial Golf Club questionnaire and local requests for information.

Monitoring and Evaluation: An annual review process is outlined to measure the effectiveness of the development plan.

Finances:The Partnership will see external funding and sponsorship and run fundraising events to help fund the Development Plan.

If you would like to see a copy of the Development Plan, then please contact the Partnership.