TEN TT golf coaches are now certified to coach children with intellectual disabilities, after taking part in a two-day workshop hosted by the TT Golf Association (TTGA) in conjunction with Special Olympics TT (SOTT).
The coaches were presented with their certificates on July 10 after the final session at St Andrew’s Golf Club in Moka, Maraval. This means they can now teach the game of golf to young students at special education schools across the country.
The coaches came from various areas across Trinidad, as well as Tobago, introduced participants to driving, chipping and putting skills. The aim was to develop both coaches and youth, while growing the sport nationally.
Officials also have one eye on preparing a team to participate in the Special Olympics World Games in Chile in 2027.
Officials included Major David Benjamin, chairman SOTT Ferdinand Bibby, TTGA president Wayne Baptiste and SporTT sport development officer Courtnee-mae Clifford.
Baptiste thanked SOTT for taking the time and interest to coach the TTGA coaches on how to relate, communicate and coach children with intellectual disabilities.
“As our (TTGA) motto goes, ‘Golf for All.’ Each and every child in TT should have the opportunity to play golf and the choice (of wanting to play). It is our position at the TTGA to create all the opportunities for each and every single child in TT, female, or male, to be able to play. That is one of our directions,” he said.
Baptiste confirmed that the association will direct these coaches to SOTT to engage schools for the differently abled and those with intellectual disabilities.
He added, “We have enough coaches to be able to engage those kids. We can do the coaching in the field, in the classroom, in the hall, it could be anywhere where you have the space to do so.
“And this is one of the ways you can get these kids to start playing golf and to be able to have an inter-school competition, drive, chip and putt, and then move on to six holes, nine holes, three holes (competition), whatever the case may be.”
Baptiste said a discussion was held “but not confirmed” for them to have a category for intellectual disability children to participate at the TT Open, Ladies Open and Republic Bank Junior Open.
“We’re already preparing a document for all the females to be part of it where we will have on the final day a drive, chip and putt (competition). And you coaches will be called upon to be able to come and give some one-on-one and to give your experience, your qualification and certification to see if we can pull some talent (and) put them in a programme to prepare them for the Special Olympics World Games, Chile, 2027.”
SporTT’s Clifford congratulated the coaches who participated in the workshop and hailed it as a “great initiative.”
She said, “We hope that as the SOTT chairman said, that you all can pay it forward, and every time there is a workshop, this room would be filled. Congratulations again.”
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