The County Academy Programme (CAP) is a national training initiative funded by Sport England to enable Counties to identify and coach talented and enthusiastic junior golfers from all backgrounds, who have not yet reached County standard.

This coaching programme is delivered at accredited ‘County Training Academies’ by selected PGA coaches who are qualified to coach young people and have shown a long term commitment to developing talented players. As well as high quality coaching and training, the coaches will provide advice on appropriate physical training, lifestyle management, psychology, and nutrition. A lead coach will be selected for each training academy and will be supported by assistant and volunteer coaches.

The programme is centred on a series of coaching days supported by individual training plans to suit the player’s own ability.   The coach will involve the parents and if appropriate club coaches to ensure that the young players are given good guidance and help to best balance the programme with other interests so as to maintain their interest and progress.

While the prime objective is to deliver a high quality coaching programme, a second important aim of CAP is to develop the coaching skills in a consistent manner across the County. This will be achieved by providing a series of workshops and seminars for the participating coaches, both professional and volunteer.

The programme will be organised on an annual basis and will include boys and girls from golf clubs and schools throughout the county. Special funding provision will be made to include young people with disabilities and learning difficulties.  The selected coaches will work closely with the Essex Golf Partnership, club professionals and junior organisers to nominate and select players.

The outcome is a much improved and co-ordinated system that provides a comprehensive pathway in a supportive and appropriate environment for young players to achieve their potential. By encouraging and developing young people in this manner it is intended that more will be attracted to the sport and the standard of performance will improve continuously on an annual basis.

2010 is the first year of a four year programme. A programme steering team has been established and is being led by a programme coordinator selected by the Essex Golf Partnership.  The team consists of representatives from the Essex Golf Union, the Essex Ladies County Golf Association and the Professional Golfers Association. Key events for 2010 are:

·         Coach Selection: In progress and to be completed by end April

·         Player Selection: In progress and Talent Assessment Day(s) to be held during May.

·         Academy Centres: in progress and to be finalised by May.

·         Coaching Days: 6 days identified commencing in June and complete by March 2011.

·    Coach Development Seminars: Structure being developed and schedule to be established during April.