UK Golf Scholarships are collaborating with Creative Positive Opportunity (CPO) and Grimsby Golf Club to deliver golf coaching, specialised resources and fully funded membership scholarships to local young people across North East Lincolnshire.
This is the only UK Golf Scholarship programme currently being supported outside of the M25 corridor and provides local young people the opportunity to be introduced to the sport and progress in golf who otherwise would not get the opportunity.
CPO are a social enterprise supporting communities across North East Lincolnshire through a range of different programmes with the aim of giving people better life chances and opening doors for better opportunities. Through a lot of their work they offer sport, physical activity and or movement alongside the programme to support communities’ mental and physical health to motivate and inspire communities to fulfil their ambitions.
We heard from members of the Creating Positive Opportunity team about the Holiday Activity Fund and why this is so important for young people to have over the holidays.
Stephen Ryder, managing director at Creating Positive Opportunity, said: “It's very important that young people who wouldn't get the chance to, to do any kind of activity in the summer holidays get that opportunity. But the other thing is, is we're joined here today by UK Golf Scholarships.
“So this is a unique experience outside of London. It's the first time that they have come anywhere outside of the M25, and they've basically hosted a four day golf course for 12 of our young people. We spent two days at the Grange Community Center. And then we've had two days here at the Fantastic Golf Club.”
He added: “I think what's different about this today is that we're actually giving 12 of our young people probably an opportunity that thousands of young people wouldn't get normally.
“I think it just gives people in this borough an opportunity to experience what childhood should be like."
The Holiday Activity Fund primarily exists for young people who are on free school meals, and provides opportunities to send them on trips and excursions during the school holidays.
We also heard from some of the young participants at the golfing sessions explain how they never thought they'd be good at the sport and that they now have a newfound confidence to try different activities.
Bella, a young girl attending the session, said: “I enjoyed playing golf today, my Nan and Grandad used to and I enjoy the idea of carrying on their legacy for my family.
"I also like being outside, because I like the fresh air and it makes me feel, calmer.”
Megan, a young girl who had never thought about or played golf before, said: “I've got a natural talent for this kind of sport. And, the professionals have said that if I want to, I could go further.”
Harley, a young boy explained how he never saw golf as something he would be good at until now: “When I first came to session, I didn't think I'd be that good at golf. But I've learned over time that I've got a pretty good swing.”
