Showcasing the opportunities and benefits of volunteering and how to get involved.
This support pack has been created to highlight the various roles that are available to juniors at their club and across golf. It contains supporting documents, webinars, and information in order to help in that role.
Volunteers are the backbone of golf across England. Golf is fortunate to have thousands of passionate volunteers who support clubs, counties, championships and players up and down the country. There are over 40,000 golf volunteers doing core roles in clubs and thousands more helping out less formally.
We at England Golf believe that young people are not simply the leaders of the future; they also have the drive, aptitude, and creativity to improve golf and the community today. This is why we believe that junior volunteers are so important in the sport. No decision about young people should be made without young people and this is why we need you to get involved and become a junior volunteer.
This support pack is designed to help you understand the importance of junior volunteers in golf, while giving an overview of the different opportunities available. Not only will you have access to the role descriptions, but you will also be able to watch some short videos that will give you an insight into the roles while hearing from young people in the roles already.
We are thrilled to have you on board and look forward to seeing you grow and develop through this exciting opportunity. We hope your experience is memorable and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Golf hugely relies on the efforts of dedicated volunteers like you to run smoothly. Your energy and commitment can truly enhance the experience for everyone. Whether you’re helping at a local tournament, assisting players on the course, or supporting the administrative team at your club, your contribution is invaluable. As a junior volunteer, you will have the opportunity to learn about the game, meet new people, and develop an array of valuable skills.
Giving up your time can really benefit our game. You can increase members’ confidence on the course, put plans into action or even get your hands dirty and help to improve the golf course. And it’s good for you too! 75% of golf volunteers agree that volunteering has a positive effect on mental health and happiness.
So, what’s stopping you?
As a junior, you can benefit from volunteering in multiple ways. Beyond the joy of being on the course, volunteering presents a unique opportunity to elevate your game, hone valuable life skills, and make a positive impact on the sport you love. While supporting sessions may be part of this, volunteering offers a rich experience that can support you in building a strong CV and fostering personal growth.
SUPPORTING SESSIONS: Assisting with junior sessions allows you to learn from experienced coaches, picking up valuable tips on how you can best support the session and work with groups to provide a fun and engaging experience.
LEADERSHIP: Become a role model for younger players, fostering your communication and patience as you guide them through activities and sessions.
SOCIAL: Volunteering throws you into the heart of the golfing community, where you’ll meet new people, make friends and build valuable social skills.
You will develop skills, confidence, and something to talk about when you apply for college, university or a job. Beyond academic achievements, this will help to develop “soft skills”, such as communication, commitment, leadership and teamwork.
BUILDING YOUR CV: Set yourself apart from the crowd with unique volunteering experience. It shows dedication and a well-rounded skillset.
DEVELOP CAREER SKILLS: Volunteering develops empathy, teamwork and a strong work ethic – skills that will benefit you on and off the course for years to come.
It’s Fun, Rewarding and Makes a Difference:
GIVE BACK TO THE GAME: Help grow the sport you love by introducing new players to the joys of golf.
SEE THE SPARK: Witnessing the excitement of young golfers as they improve their game is an incredibly rewarding experience.
FRESH AIR AND FUN: Spend time outdoors in a beautiful setting, all while contributing to a positive and supportive environment. Volunteering as a junior golfer isn’t just about helping others; it’s about investing in yourself. You’ll be surprised at how much you gain by giving back to the sport you love.
The Junior Captain role is an important role within your club. This young person will listen to the views of all junior players and communicate them to the club, helping to create a welcoming and engaging atmosphere for young people to develop in the game.
The Club Activator role is important to enhance the experience of participants (pre, during and post activity) and support the development of juniors at the golf club by helping to create a fun learning environment.
A buddy is key in helping new golfers have a great experience at the club. This role may include finding out why people start golf and their motivations or showing them how to mark their card to get a handicap. A buddy is a friendly face to help new golfers get the best from your club.
The Young Ambassadors are a group of young people aged 14+, dedicated to championing the game of golf. The purpose of the young ambassadors is to highlight the positive impact of young people in golf.
If you are interested in finding out more about any of the roles, you can find them on the England Golf website here
By having juniors volunteering at the club, it can help to create a positive junior section. By having other juniors supporting the club, you can help to shape and guide the club into what the juniors would like at the club. This will hopefully create a friendly, welcoming and social atmosphere.
Not only will the section thrive, but the club will benefit in the long terms as the juniors are the future of the club. Juniors will be more likely to stay at a club where they feel valued and have been looked after throughout their time there.
Fresh Perspective:
Juniors bring a unique perspective to the club. Their ideas can help keep the club fresh and relevant, attracting new members of all ages.
Sense of Ownership:
Juniors who contribute to the club’s success feel a sense of ownership. They’re more likely to stay involved and become future leaders of the club.
By having juniors involved, the club develops a more inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone.
Overall, involving juniors creates a positive cycle. They help shape the club into a place they enjoy, which in turn makes them more invested and likely to stay involved for the long term. This benefits both the junior section and the club as a whole.
Young Ambassadors:
www.englandgolf.org/young-ambassadors
www.golf-foundation.org/become-a-young-ambassador/
www.instagram.com/golfambassadors/
Club Activator Courses: www.englandgolf.org/resource-detail/club-activator-courses
Golf Buddies: www.englandgolf.org/resource-detail/golf-buddies
Volunteer Hub: www.facebook.com/groups/volunteersingolf
Should you require this document in an alternative format (e.g., accessible Office 365 version, Easy Read or clear/ large print) then please contact pr@englandgolf.org
If you have any questions on anything within this resource then please email juniorgolf@englandgolf.org
