Golf Educatif (Educational Golf)
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>View discussions about this entry Country: France
Organization: Golf Educatif
Sport - Other
Year the initative began (yyyy) - 2003
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Project URL: http://www.golfeducatif.org
Positioning in the Mosaic of solutions
What is your signature innovation, your new idea, in one sentence? - The introduction of "Golf Educatif" (Educational Golf) into the national School curriculum simply enhances and prospers the environment in which we live and help underprivileged
Describe your innovation. What makes your idea unique and different than others doing work in the field? - We want to make the game of golf accessible to anyone. The Golf Educatif Association introduces golf in schools and uses the social, educational values that golf offers to difficult young people.
Golf Educatif (Educational Golf) promotes all that the game of golf proposes in terms of “etiquette”, RESPECT, discipline, courtesy, humility, concentration, motivation,… for underprivileged children. The association aims to promote golf fundamental values by offering this sport to township youth. We offer a unique opportunity to disadvantaged township youth. Indeed, none could play golf without us. This feeling increases the interest and the pleasure they have playing golf. The results in terms of behavior and motivation are extremely positive. What are the existing barriers, the biggest problem, your innovation is hoping to address/change? - In France, only a privileged few had the opportunity to play and that pay-and-play courses in close proximity to the town centres were few and far between....
So that, in France, Golf is a sport dedicated to privileged people due to the cost and the geographic situations of every golf course: there is a lack of accessible space in close proximity to these overpopulated and densely housed areas. We are convinced that Golf can change behaviors and mentalities: so that we make possible playing Golf Educatif in township areas to improve school climate and social Delivery Model: How do you implement your innovation and apply it to the challenge/problem you are addressing? - Hundreds of physical education and primary school teachers have been introduced to "golf éducatif" around the country thanks to our association. All year long, we go on training teachers or educators. In dozens of primary and secondary schools, they teach daily, using material donated by the ADGE (Educational Golf Association) on local football or rugby pitches and encourage their puils to discover the game of golf.
They play with a 35% plastic golf ball. Offering a third of the distance yet with similar trajectories to that of a real golf ball and bearing in mind our responsibility concerning security. The Golf Educatif association coordinates all the contributors in order to create golf educatif courses (3 or 6 holes), or practice grounds, and supplies in golf equipments (clubs, practice carpets, tees, plastic golf balls (35 %), practice targets) Contributors: town hall, teachers, school directors, educational academy... Opportunities : Creation of a golf educatif course (near schools), or use of existing school sport fittings (sports ground). How do you plan to grow your innovation? - Our first objectives within ADGE are to continue with our teacher formations and steadily increase the number of towns in France that build "Golf Educatif courses".
Moreover, we are creating competitions between young people that have been taught Golf Educatif. Meeting each other, sharing experiences, opening their mind is part of the assoiation’s objectives. More than 5000 young people play Golf Educatif each week. We want to increase these figures. Whatever the subject the participants are enjoying the experience then the program’s golf theme will encourage repeated use and secure its long-term attraction and educational value. Our growth strategy is also based on identifying opportunities to expand the program, including targeting: Homeless People, Retired people… Provide one sentence describing your impact/intended impact. - Our action changes attitude behaviors of youth to remain active in community involvement as well as increasing personal responsibility and improve social cohesion.
What impact has your innovation had to date/or what is your intended impact? Exactly who are the beneficiaries? - Everybody knows that involvement in sport reduces the potential to become aggressive, disrespectful... The Golf Educatif Association has an impact in terms of school climate, social cohesion, it reduces conflicts and creates fun. And more individually, it has an impact in terms of motivation, interest in lessons, courtesy and respect inside and outside school … They believe in themselves.
Combining character building and activities of sports, the results are really positive. The demand in urban areas is significant.
Please list any other measures reflective of the impact of your innovation? - Policemen and firemen believe in our work and have decided to lean on the Golf Educatif method to fight against juvenile delinquency, and improve the relations among these groups.
What are the main barriers to creating or achieving your impact? - Although the communities and the schools want to support our action, we need the proper financing and the right strategic partnerships and institutional recognition. Indeed, we are actively looking for financing and pursuing formal recognition from institutions.
And we need to enlighten our action. Currently, the French Golf Federation recognizes our action. How is your initiative financed (or how do you expect your initiative will be financed)? - We intend to make our action available at no initial cost for schools adopting our program. Our intention is to request corporate sponsorships to cover the operational core of the program, while trying to collect funds. Moreover we have benefit from individuals who give us golf material (clubs,…).
Up to now, the Association has been mostly financed through foundations. If known, provide information on your finances and organization. - Please list: Annual budget, annual revenue generated, size of part-time, full-time and volunteer staff. We have an annual budget of 50 000 euros (it’s a minimum) that is more or less financed by corporate foundations.
Full time staff in the association: 1 persons 3 volunteers All the teachers and educators are not financed by the association, and work on a voluntary basis. What is the potential demand for your innovation? - There is a huge demand for golf educatif teachers in all areas, not only in schools but also in other associations that take care of persons on the fringes of society: socially excluded populations. It is important that they are trained to develop a proper sports philosophy, which keeps the true meaning of sports, and help building character.
What are the main barriers to financial sustainability? - As with any project where entry fees are not charged, fundraising is the greatest need for this project. We need exposure to increase awareness of the project.
What is the origin of this innovation? Tell us your story. - The Association was born thanks to 3 persons involved in Golf and convinced by the benefits that Golf can offer.
Bill Owens, a golf pro whos has created a new learning method, Alexis Godillot who is a golf champion amateur (non-professional) (europe champion, vice world champion) And Patrick Wallaert who teaches golf courses. Please provide a personal bio. Note this may be used in Changemakers marketing material. - This field has not been completed
Contact Information:
Vanessa CHAPUS
This field has not been completed Golf Educatif (NGO) Discussions about this entry |
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You and Golf Educatif have done well, Vanessa, in attempting to make golf more accessible to underprivileged youth and others who might normally never encounter it. As you say, as a sport, golf has long been the preserve of the wealthy and upper class. Further, I'm impressed by your insistence that golf can still serve as a means to "improve social cohesion."
I believe there to be a legitimate question as to whether we will be able in the future to continue setting aside the large tracts of land that are necessary for full golf courses. And in some regions and climates around the globe, the great amount of water that is needed to keep courses green and edenesque in appearance may not be justifiable forever. Still, your vision of golf as a social equalizer is one of which we should all be proud.
Steve Byars
Marshall School of Business
University of Southern California
Thank you for writing. We try to do well and we are convinced that golf is full of advantages, in term of education, cohesion, respect,...
Best regards.
Vanessa Chapus
contact@golfeducatif.org