Valley to take lead in youth development

Bungay and Waveney Valley is to play a leading role in a Suffolk Golf Partnership coaching programme designed to identify and encourage talented boys and girls aged nine to 15.

Funds have been provided to support this initiative through the England Golf Partnership.

This programme is aimed at youngsters who have talent and interest but who are not part of the present Suffolk squad coaching programme.

The first stage of this programme will be open talent assessment days to identify these young golfers, some of whom may not yet be members of golf clubs.

The Suffolk Golf Partnership is to run three assessment days, including one at Bungay, during the February half-term holidays.

Following these days it is planned to invite those selected to move on to a county wide coaching programme based at Suffolk training academies. This is designed to provide the necessary coaching support to enable the young golfers to attain their full potential and to have the opportunity to progress to the county junior squads.

Bungay and Waveney Valley will host an assessment day on Thursday, February 18. Three sessions are planned: between 9.30 and 11.30, 12 to 2 and 2.30 to 4.30. Club professional Andrew Collison will be joined by Tony Dobson (Stonham Barns) and Will Shaw (Aldeburgh) to take the sessions which will be split into three components - long game, short game and putting.

There will be skills challenges plus a short discussion with one of the coaches.

Junior golfers who would benefit from this initiative should register for the day. Registration forms for the open talent assessment days are available from club secretaries and professionals or can be downloaded from the Suffolk Golf Partnership website: www.suffolkgolfpartnership.co.uk

For details or to book a place at one of the talent days telephone Suffolk coaching co-ordinator Alastair Spink on 07545 155341 or email Alastair@suffolkgolfpartnership.co.uk