WILTSHIRE PILOTS NEW ENGLAND/COUNTY COACHING

Wiltshire has been chosen as one of three counties to pilot a new England/County golf coaching programme for girls in 2006 /2007. The joint venture means an investment of some £5000 in girls in the county that show the potential to be top county and national golfers of the future.

Thirteen girls from the county have been chosen by England and County selectors to join two squads. Each will receive coaching in all aspects of golf, by top teaching professional, John Jacobs at Cumberwell Park, Bradford on Avon.

As well as golfing, mental skills, nutrition and diet, a key part of the programme is assessment, help and monitoring by specialist golf physiotherapist, Jo Staerck.

The girls selected for the new England County Birdies squad, for girls aged around 10 to 13, are: Yasmin Broocks (Wrag Barn Golf Club), Keeley Clayton (Salisbury & South Wilts), Kyra Horlock (Hamptworth), Charlotte Lucas (Hamptworth), Rachel and Samantha Ogilvie (Hamptworth) and Katie Warren (Wrag Barn). Alice Plumb from Dorset is also a member of the squad.

The more advanced 'Eagles' squad for older girls up to around 18, consists of: Emma Breen (Marlborough Golf Club), Claire Hobbs (Cumberwell Park), Emma May (Kingsdown), Sophie Newman (Ogbourne Downs), Gemma Painter (Cumberwell Park) and Nancy Pallas (Hamptworth)

As well as ability and potential, the selectors took into account other important factors such as motivation, drive, work ethic and parental support.

"This partnership between England and the County means that more girls will have access to the very successful England Birdie coaching format - the type of programme we have aspired to in Wiltshire for our girls but would have been unable to fund without financial support from the English Ladies Golf Association," said County Junior Organiser Di Gritt.

The pilot scheme is part of England's 'Stay' programme which is aimed at retaining lady golfers aged between 20 - 40 and increasing the number of single-figure handicap players.

"Some of the girls in the new England County squads hope to make their career in golf. This programme will not only help their own golfing ability, it will also help them identify the growing opportunities that exist in different parts of the sport, such as physiotherapy and psychology," pointed out Di Gritt.

"Better players also have a knock-on benefit for clubs, attracting new members into the game and into club membership."

"We are thrilled to be working with Wiltshire on this new project, " said Linda Carruthers, ELGA's regional training officer. "By working in partnership with counties we are extending the opportunities that have in the past only been available to a very limited number of girls.

"The coaching team worked together very successfully during the first squad days in early November and are really looking forward to the challenge the New Year will bring."

Picture caption: The new England/County Eagles squad and coaching team (left to right) Back: Jo Staerck (physiotherapist), Claire Hobbs, Gemma Painter, Emma May, Emma Breen and Nancy Pallas. Front: Sophie Newman, John Jacobs (coach) and Linda Carruthers, ELGA's regional training officer.

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The new England/County Eagles squad and coaching team (left to right) Back: Jo Staerck (physiotherapist), Claire Hobbs, Gemma Painter, Emma May, Emma Breen and Nancy Pallas. Front: Sophie Newman, John Jacobs (coach) and Linda Carruthers, ELGA's regional training officer.

The new England/County Birdies squad and coaching team (left to right) Back: Alice Plumb, Yasmin Broocks, Kyra Horlock, Katie Warren, Jo Staarck (physiotherapist), Rachel Ogilvie. Front: Charlotte Lucas, John Jacobs (coach),
Samantha Ogilvie and Keeley Clayton.