… Nexgen Academy looking to target schools by February

A NUMBER of Physical Education teachers from across Guyana recently completed their training for the secondary schools golf pilot programme, which was held this past weekend at the Nexgen Golf Academy on Woolford Avenue.
Instructors from Berbice, Linden, Georgetown, East Coast, and Essequibo all participated in the four-hour session which was attended by 14 participants and Head of the Allied Arts Unit in the Ministry of Education, Ms Barker-King, who was on hand to welcome them along with Departmental Head Nicholas Fraser and programme coordinator Al Junior Wilson.
Speaking to the group of teachers, Ms Barker-King encouraged them to take their mandate as leaders of an incredible programme that will be the beacon for future generations. “You have a responsibility to yourselves and our learners all across the country and you’ve been chosen to lead a programme that will impact the lives of our children forever.
“We are grateful to Mr Hussain and the Guyana Golf Association (GGA) along with the Nexgen Golf Academy for their support in making the dream of playing golf a reality for thousands of children.”

Fraser said he was pleased with the results so far and was excited about the prospects of seeing golf take a top position in the schools due to its unique COVID-19 compliant qualities.
“As educators, sports activities are very important and we are glad that the partnership with GGA president Mr Hussain can provide an alternative to contact sports during this unprecedented period in our history,” he said.
Reaction from the teachers was extremely positive and the competitive nature was quickly evident as they spent over four hours learning and competing among themselves. The immediate goal is to build a team in all the pilot schools to engage in a chip-and-putt competition in six weeks.
As seen from the energetic nature of the president of the GGA, the plan to bring golf to the forefront of all sports is quickly becoming a reality as more and more persons are getting involved in the game. Hussain often emphasises that the only reasons golf isn’t No.1 in Guyana are accessibility and affordability – the two things he is working to change as soon as possible.

“We are focussed on creating facilities in as many regions as possible, providing equipment and balls so that everyone can have a chance to try the sport. A major part of the strategy was put in place when the program,e was approved by the CEO and Deputy CEO of the secondary schools after prompting by Ms Barker-King and Mr Fraser.”
“With access to over 100 000 children in the school system, the GGA and Allied Arts Unit feel it is viable to have at least 5% of them take up the sport and expect that one parent will also be enticed into participating, thereby creating at least 7 000 to 10 000 new players in less than two years. It is important to note that no other sport has ever experienced such growth,” said Ms Barker-King.
Through partnerships with the Scouts Association of Guyana and the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), Nexgen Global has been able to establish a fully lighted Driving Range and Academy in Georgetown and now can offer training to approximately 14 000 teachers as a part of that affiliation.
As such, the academy will be looking to now have its PE teachers involved in having the students begin forging their golf careers. (Clifton Ross)