Cardiff Council's Girls to Golf Initiative Honored at Wales Golf Awards
The collaborative effort of Cardiff Council in the Leadership in Sport - Girls to Golf program has received significant recognition at the annual Wales Golf Awards, securing the prestigious Women and Girls Project of the Year award. This accolade highlights the outstanding impact of the initiative in fostering the growth of golf among young women and girls across the city.
Celebrating Commitment to Inclusion and Participation
The award specifically acknowledges golf clubs and partnerships that demonstrate an exceptional dedication to boosting participation rates among women and girls. Judges commended the program for its welcoming environment, innovative approach, and clear positive influence on school communities. The seven-week program, designed for girls aged 12 to 13, is delivered in partnership with Cardiff's Curriculum Health and Wellbeing Team, along with various organizations and schools.
It provides participants with the opportunity to learn golf while simultaneously engaging in life skills and leadership sessions within a supportive and inclusive setting. Sessions are hosted with the support of Wales Golf and Whitchurch Golf Club, where a Golf Professional often replaces traditional physical education lessons to ensure all girls can participate fully.
Combining Sport with Leadership Development
The project uniquely integrates golf coaching with leadership development, aiming to help girls build essential skills such as:
- Confidence
- Resilience
- Teamwork
- Communication abilities
Many pupils also take on leadership roles during the sessions, assisting in supporting and motivating their peers, which further enhances the program's community-driven impact.
Expanding Reach Across Cardiff Schools
The initiative has already successfully engaged girls from Llanishen High School and Whitchurch High School. Plans are underway to extend the program to Cathays High School, with participation numbers continuing to grow as more pupils enroll and the initiative expands throughout the city. This expansion underscores the program's increasing popularity and effectiveness in reaching a broader audience.
Council Spokesperson Highlights Program's Broader Impact
A Cardiff Council spokesperson expressed pride in the recognition, stating: "We are incredibly proud that the Leadership in Sport - Girls to Golf programme has been recognised at the Wales Golf Awards 2026. This initiative is about much more than learning a new sport – it’s about giving girls the confidence, leadership skills and encouragement they need to thrive. Seeing pupils from schools across Cardiff grow in resilience, teamwork and self‑belief has been inspiring, and we’re excited to continue expanding this opportunity to even more young people."
The Cardiff Commitment Curriculum Team remains actively engaged in working closely with partners to develop real-world learning opportunities and welcomes interest from additional schools or organizations eager to collaborate on similar initiatives.
