Larbert festival bridges the gap

April 2010

Children in Falkirk’s Larbert cluster who have been introduced to golf this term were invited to a clubgolf festival this week which bridged the gap between the game in schools and clubs.

The festival, a pilot which will include separate events for badminton and basketball, was organised by Active Schools Co-ordinator Lisa Male to encourage primary school children who are developing an interest in a sport at school to further their skills at a local club.

“Active Schools is about offering opportunities for children to try sports then following up so the children have somewhere to go afterwards where they can develop their skills,” said Lisa.

“Primary PE specialists deliver clubgolf either during curriculum time, at lunchtime or in after school clubs, then I follow up the sessions with a sports event.

“The children thoroughly enjoy clubgolf and the festivals are about offering something in which they can achieve at the end. I invited Falkirk Tryst Golf Club to the festival and we handed out flyers so that children who are interested can contact the club.”

Sixty children from eight Larbert schools took part in the festival. Points were awarded to schools for attending, for winning the competition, as well as for fair play.

“The festivals are a competition between the eight schools,” said Lisa. “Winners for the clubgolf festival were Kinnaird Primary and Stenhousemuir for fair play. We will add together points from all three festivals so that we will have a winning school by the end.”

An added benefit of running the festival is the involvement of Larbert High School’s Community Sports Leaders.

“We teach them through the year so they can learn to work with youngsters in sport and organize and officiate at events as part of their course,” said Lisa. “So by having them help at the festivals it is another great opportunity for them to gain good experience.”