Golf Educatif (Educational Golf)
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
About You
Location
Project Street Address
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Project Province/State
Project Postal/Zip Code
Project Country
Your idea
Sport
Other
Year the initative began (yyyy)
2003
Project URL (include HTTP://)
Positioning of your initiative on the mosaic diagram:
Which of these barriers is the primary focus of your work?
Few effective tools for personal improvement
Which of the principles is the primary focus of your work?
Social cohesion
If you believe some other barrier or principle should be included in the mosaic, please describe it and how it would affect the positioning of your initiative in the mosaic:
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Name Your Project
Golf Educatif (Educational Golf)
Describe Your Idea
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
Innovation
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…
Impact
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.
Our action is dedicated towards a population that don’t have the opportunity to play golf due to the social situation. ADGE works in low income areas.
The beneficiaries are mainly young people : 7 years old to 16.
The Golf Educatif is played by more than 5000 children per week. We are present in more than 20 French departments.
But when we have the opportunity we can dedicate our action to other people : homeless people for example : we have noticed that it used to increase their belief in themselves.
How many people have you served directly?
Directly, we train teachers, educators, policemen and firemen, people that are able to initiate young people. We’ve trained more than 300 teachers or educators
How many people have you served indirectly?
Indirectly: young people, underprivileged people. 5000 children play golf Educatif each week.
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.
This Entry is about (Issues)
Sustainability
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.
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.
The Story
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.
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How did you hear about this contest and what is your main incentive to participate? (this is confidential)
The Sport Foundation in France supports our association. They told us about your competition.
Affiliation (please list all that apply)
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