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Torquay United endorse 'Kick 'n' Swing' initiative

Friday, 3 February 2012
Nick Bonfield
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[Focal point photography]

The Golf Foundation, in conjunction with Torquay United and Torbay Sports, have created a 'Kick 'n' Swing' project aimed at bringing sport to disabled and special education needs (SEN) youngsters in the area.  

The six-week course - supported by the Football Association - provides a weekly, duel-coaching day where disabled and SEN children learn the basics of golf under PGA supervision, and receive football coaching from a UEFA qualified coach.  

Churston Golf Club professional Dan Leins and football coach Matthew Scholes took the recent sessions with youngsters from three local schools, which included a special golf and football session at Plainmoor, Torquay United's football ground.

  Torquay United Managing Director, Bill Philips, said: "All the participation children had a great day and we were proud to host such a worthwhile event."  

Sue Earnes, Special Educational Needs Sports Coordinator for Torbay, echoed Phillips' sentiments: "Dual-sport coaching is really effective because children who are familiar with one sport then gain confidence in the second spot more easily."  

Sam Stephens, Regional Development Officer for the Golf Foundation, added: "From the outset, this has been a really enterprising way of engaging with local disabled and special educational needs youngsters.

"I'd really like to thank Bill Phillips and the team and staff at Torquay United, coaches Dan Leins an Matthew Scholes, and particularly Sue Earnes, who has been brilliant as the driving force to make all this happen."

  'Kick 'n' Swing' forms part of the Golf Foundation's national programme, 'HCBC Golf Roots', supported by the European Tour and the Professional Golfers Association, amongst others.