DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
ALL ABILITIES PROGRAMS
Providing opportunities for children and adults with physical, sensory or intellectual disabilities to participate in golf at all levels.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
To elevate Australian golf’s national disability programs and initiatives across all levels of the game.
Australian Golf has developed a disability inclusion strategy to support all levels of the game for people living with disability.
Programs are delivered by over 300 accredited Professional Golfers Association of Australia All Abilities Coaches that are supported by volunteer Community Instructors.
This platform provides the opportunity to increase the current number of 4,000 Australians with disabilities participating in golf programs annually across the country.
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High Performance
Australia has more athletes in the top 100 of the world rankings for golfers with disability in comparison to any other National Golf Federation with currently 20 of the top 100 athletes being Australian.
Similar to Golf Australia’s High Performance Program, there is an opportunity to offer athletes support with ongoing coaching and development and travel costs to world championship events.
Disability Access
The Paragolfer all-terrain standing chair for wheelchair users enables clubs and facilities to be wheelchair accessible for the 336,000 Australians living with mobility impairments.
There are currently 45 Paragolfers located within Australia with a mix of privately owned and publicly available units. There is now an opportunity to expand this across the rest of Australia.
OUR GOAL
To be the sport of choice and highest participation sport for people with disability in Australia.
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To reach 10,000 program participants per year for people with disabilities by 2025.
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Achieving our first world number 1 ranked golfer with disability by 2025.
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20 annual scholarships granted by 2025.
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10 additional Paragolfers distributed nationally by 2025.
WHY WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT
We need financial support to ensure that people with disability can access the game with little to no cost, participate in a program with equipment supplied which is a significant barrier to participation in sport and recreation.
Integration of disability inclusion into our High Performance structures will ensure that Australia continues to lead the world rankings for golfers with a disability, enabling our athletes to participate in The IGF World Teams Championship, The R&A G4D Open and the US Adaptive Open.
OUR VISION FOR CHANGE
Our vision is that every Australian living with disability can access a golf program located in their community.
WHAT WILL BE OUR IMPACT
Golf has a workforce like no other sport through being able to support the disability sport sector with over 380 trained coaches and volunteers with an industry based accreditation in inclusive coaching and program delivery.
We have an incredible opportunity to mobilise this workforce and ensure that every Australian living with disability can participate in golf which will contribute to a healthier Australian community.
WHAT INVESTMENT IS REQUIRED
All Abilities Participation Programs
Investment Required:
$680,000 for an additional 6,000 participants.
High Performance Scholarships
Investment Required:
$400,000 ($20,000 per annum for 20 athletes).
Paragolfers
Investment Required:
$550,000 ($55,000 per unit for 10 units).
TESTIMONIALS
Natascha Tennent
Leading female on the World Rankings for Golfers with Disability
Natascha Tennent is the current leading female on the World Rankings for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD). At just 15 years old and living with Autism, Natascha has climbed the rankings despite not being able to secure funding to play in many of the WR4GD events including the PGA Webex Series.
Natascha’s long term objectives are to advocate for all abilities and become a role model and a voice for female golfers with disabilities.
Natascha wants to continue to play in All Abilities competitions and amateur competitions not just in Australia but also overseas and to keep reducing her world ranking and one day qualify for the Australian Open playing in the All-Abilities division.
“My handicap has gone from 21 to 11 in a couple of years and I’m determined to get to single figures. Playing All Abilities championships and improving my ranking has inspired me to work hard on my game and be my best.“
Anne-Marie Knight
PGA All Abilities Coach
Anne-Marie Knight became the first female PGA Professional to obtain the additional qualification as a PGA All Abilities Coach in 2016 and was also awarded South Australian honours as PGA Professional Teaching Professional of the year.
Taking a holistic approach towards coaching and supporting participants into the game, Anne-Marie has established strong partnerships with state and local community organisations that includes:
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ACH – Younger Onset Dementia Support Group,
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Limbs 4 Life – National Peer Support organisation for Amputees,
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Blind Golf South Australia – Supporting visually impaired South Australians access golf and Kidney Kids SA.
“There is so much shared value between organisations that connect people with disability to sport and recreation offerings such as golf.”
“Taking a holistic approach towards coaching and supporting participants into the game, Anne-Marie has established strong partnerships with state and local community organisations that includes: ACH – Younger Onset Dementia Support Group, Limbs 4 Life – National Peer Support organisation for Amputees, Empower Golf Australia, Blind Golf South Australia – Supporting visually impaired South Australians access golf and Kidney Kids SA."
Rod Paykel
2022 Victorian Inclusive Championship Winner
Losing total function through significant nerve damage to his right arm after a motorcycle accident in 2014, Rod took to golf during his rehabilitation, finding pathways back to the game through PGA All Abilities Coaches at Sandhurst Club, located in Melbourne’s south east.
Rod’s goals included getting back to the game with mates, obtaining an official GA handicap and participating in Golf Australia’s state and national inclusive championships.
Rod has accomplished his goals playing as a member regularly at RACV Healesville Country Club off a handicap of just 26, playing one-handed. Rod winning the 2022 Victorian Inclusive Championship stableford division is one of his great achievements.
“After my accident in 2014, I was looking for something to do and quickly decided that I wanted to get back into golf. Connecting with a PGA All Abilities Coach was really important in learning to play one-handed and since then it’s been great to play events around the country and meet some really great people.”
Scott McDermott
PGA All Abilities Coach
Located at Centenary Park Public Golf Course in Melbourne’s southeast, Scott has established himself as a PGA Professional specialising in assisting people with disabilities to be able to connect, play and enjoy the game of golf.
“PGA All Abilities Coaches are the conduit between people with disabilities and the game of golf. As a PGA All Abilities Coach, I sit down with each participant, gain a clear understanding on what goals they want to achieve, then work together in bringing those goals to life”.
“National participation programs – MyGolf and Get into Golf, supported by strong community partners have been a game changer in creating opportunities for participants living with disabilities accessing the game”.
For more information on All Abilities Programs click here.
DONATE TO ALL ABILITIES PROGRAMS
Every donation helps ensure that Australian golf will thrive into the future.
Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible and can be made via the Australian Sports Foundation who is our official fundraising partner and is the only deductible gift recipient for sport in Australia.