The Fiji International School program, which is part of the R & A (St. Andrews) Working for Golf program, was officially launched with a Super Clinic at the Pacific Harbour Multicultural School conducted by PGA National Coaching Programs Manager, Nick Bielawski. Over 100 primary school students participated in the two-hour clinic aimed at generating interest in the game of golf.
The Fiji International School program will begin in the first week of August and sees twelve schools participating, The twelve schools are; Yat Sen Primary School and Marcellin Primary School (SUVA), Rampur Primary School, Lomary Primary School and Pacific Harbour Multicultural School (DEUBA), Ratu Filise School (CORAL COAST), Andrha Sangam School and St Peter Chanel Primary (SIGATOKA), Malomalo Primary School, Rahmatullah Khan Memorial School and Tuva Indian Primary School (NATADOLA), Namaka Public School (NADI), and Drasa Avenue School (LAUTOKA).
“Our aim of conducting the Fiji International School Golf Program is to socialize the game of golf to primary school students of Fiji in the hope of creating more interest in the game to create the future golfers of Fiji. We selected the schools based on their close vicinity and access to golf courses. It is great to see so many schools interested to be part of the program and we are confident their students will enjoy the My Golf Program bring brought to their schools.”, said Natalie Ritter, General Manager for the Fiji International.
The Fiji International School program includes 4 visits to each school inclusive of three thirty-minute sessions with different age groups of primary school students. The Fiji International School program is aiming to reach over 2,000 primary school students in Fiji and leave behind a legacy in golf as well as a platform which is self sustainable for future development.
Additional activities to further enhance the golf experience at these schools has been developed including a “Design the Fiji International Junior Golf Mascot” competition. The competition will be conducted amongst all participating schools of the Fiji International School Program and the winning mascot design will be selected at the end of September this year with the winner walking away with F$500 in cash.
All participating schools will also be arranging a school trip visit to the Fiji International during tournament week from October 12th – 18th 2015 so that their students can get a special behind the scenes tour of the tournament operations at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course so they can get a feel for how events of this scale are organized.
“Creating interest in the business of golf is also one of our aims to encourage students to consider a future career in golf whether it be actually playing the sport or working in the industry. As the golf industry in Fiji grows, so will employment in the industry so it would be good to have more interest in the market place around the sport. This program would not be made possible without the Royal and Ancient (St. Andrews) in partnership with Fiji Professional Golf Association and the National Golf Association of Fiji who have worked collaboratively to develop and execute a nationwide golf development program in Fiji. We look forward to continuing the joint efforts for the long term sustainability and growth of golf in Fiji. ” Added Ms. Ritter.
The Fiji International School Golf program will run from August to November this year and there is room for three more schools to join the program. Fiji International team members will continue to share progress of their golf development initiatives in the months to come.
About the Fiji International
To be played at the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course from 15-18 October, the Fiji International will be broadcast around the world.
The Fiji International is co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and OneAsia and will be played for a minimum prize purse of AU$1 million.
The inaugural Fiji International signalled Fiji’s official arrival onto the world golfing stage with the Fijian Government, Fiji Tourism and Fiji’s number one golf ambassador, Vijay Singh, all making a push to put their country on the lucrative world golfing map.
In 2015 the Fiji International is expected to grow with the tournament establishing a reputation amongst the world’s best golfers as a must attend event for themselves and their families.
The tournament also boosts some of the most unique hospitality options in world golf with the par-3 4th hole providing the perfect vantage point to watch the golf whilst socialising on the beach.
More than just a golf tournament the Fiji International aims to leave a lasting legacy for golf in the Pacific with the PGA of Australia supporting initiatives to introduce and grow the game in Fiji.