Following the staging of their two day ‘Successful Coaching’ Conference, the English Golf Union (EGU) has received some exceptionally positive feedback from the delegates who packed out the event, which was held earlier this month at The National Golf Centre, Woodhall Spa.
The purpose of the conference was to exchange ideas on coaching undertaken at national, regional, county and club level and deliver the latest experiences and research from different parts of the world.
The presentations, ‘Coaching Competitive’ delivered by England Elite Squad Coach Graham Walker and ‘Developing Coaching and Playing Expertise’ presented by University of Georgia Professor Paul Schempp generated the greatest interest from the audience that included national squad coaches and administrators, county secretaries, coaches and junior delegates.
In addition the opening interview session on ‘World Class Coaching’ with Clive Tucker and Chris Jenkins, personal coaches to David Howell and Oliver Fisher respectively, was also a hot favourite with a flood of questions from the floor on the development of elite golfers.
The programme also provided the opportunity to discuss grass roots issues at county level and Bob Meston and David Oldcorn, England A and U-21 squad managers, provided a excellent hands on session when county representatives got to exchange and develop ideas there and then.
Delegates also heard contributions from The England Golf Partnership, namely Roger Moreland, partnership manager and Stuart Armstrong, talent and potential manager, Tim Newenham of the English Institute of Sport (EIS), Peter Mattsson, EGU director of coaching and Jane Booth on coaching qualifications offered by the PGA.
“It turned out to be a very successful conference!” commented Mattsson. “The elite level coaching has been very well received but it is evident that we need to provide more opportunities for county unions to interact and to discuss fresh ideas and good practice. Following the positive feedback support from those who attended it is definitely my intention to repeat this event on an annual basis.”
Preliminary dates for the next EGU Coaching Conference are Thursday and Friday the 17th and 18th of January 2008.
English Golf Union www.englishgolfunion.org
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