Development Update

Please see the contents of a letter distributed to club secretaries this week outlining some upcoming and current developments:



As it is the start of the Pitch and Putt year I would like to bring to your attention some opportunities for clubs and their members in the areas of coaching and development.

Club Officer Training Seminars

Under the new Strategic Plan, the PPUI have committed to giving clubs and boards advice and guidance to help club volunteers carry out their roles and tasks in the club/county environment. By putting training in place and by bringing officers from many clubs together, we hope to provide clubs with new information, skills and expertise in order to best fulfil their role in their respective clubs/boards.

 In order to do so, two half day training seminars will take place in late March. The seminars are free of charge and are open to two members from each club or county board. Each seminar will be limited in numbers and so will be filled first come, first served, based on replies via the PPUI office. Both seminars will last from 10am to 2pm approximately on the dates in question.

 Munster Clubs: March 22^nd - Fir Grove Hotel, Mitchelstown.

 Leinster Clubs: March 29^th - Irish Sport HQ, National Sports Campus, Blanchardstown.

 During the seminar we will look to focus on a number of items, including:

 Officer Roles – Chairman/Secretary/Treasurer/Registrar, etc.

1. Club Development
2. Club Communications/Marketing
3. Youth & Coaching
4. Using Information Technology – PPUI website tools

 The seminar will be relatively simple but should ensure everyone gets benefit from the day. It is suitable for an officer in any position, old or new. Participants will be able to bring knowledge back to their fellow club/county officers. The section on IT and the PPUI website could be very important to clubs already on the PPUI system, but especially for those who are yet to register. We would like as many clubs as possible regularly using the facility, it can only improve their club. Therefore it might be particular interest to officers who will run IT and web facilities.

 To register for either the Munster or Leinster seminar, please return the yellow form enclosed to the PPUI office with the details required. Alternatively, you can email pauric@ppui.ie with the information. The closing date for applications is Friday 14^th March. Any enquiries can be made through the email address above or by calling the PPUI office.

National Pitch and Putt Open Week

For the first time in several years, the PPUI will be running a national open week. The initiative aims to help promote the sport of pitch and putt to a wider audience. We would also like to increase membership numbers in the Union, as well as those in every individual club, benefitting all parties involved.

 The event will take place from May 19^th – May 24^th, timed to take advantage of better weather, longer evenings and building interest in Pitch and Putt ahead of the summer.

The PPUI are asking clubs to hold any type of open event for the public/non-members during this time. This may be a Thursday evening, a Saturday morning or all weekend, it doesn’t matter. The type of event is entirely up to the club itself – whatever you think might work best. The timing is flexible so club events can still be accommodated.

 Some promotional events that clubs may consider running are:

 Open Day/Evening

• Introductory Coaching Clinic/Program
• Community Group/Club Partnerships
• Bring a Friend Event
• Family Fun Days
• Membership Offers/Membership Installments
• Events for Past Members/Regular Green Fee Payers
• Fun Competitions/Scrambles

 The list of options is lengthy and we would ask that clubs decide on whatever they feel would sit their situation best. Many clubs run events like these and some have had very successful in membership drives in recent years through a variety of methods. This year, we are asking that clubs host simultaneous events, allowing for pooled resources and publicity.

 The PPUI will help clubs as much as possible. Posters and Coaching Leaflets promoting the events will be provided to clubs on request. A web page will be created with a detailed list and map of events taking place across the country. 

 To express an interest or register an event please email pauric@ppui.ie or call the PPUI office. I order to give this the best chance possible, we ask that confirmation is received in the PPUI office by the end of March. 

PPUI Summer Camps

 For the past five summers the PPUI have been running Summer Camps throughout the country. 2013 saw a record eight camps and 200 attendees in counties Cork, Kerry, Tipperary, Dublin, Louth and Kildare. We are pushing to expand the programme again in 2014.

 The five day camps have proven to be a great success with excellent feedback from both the children and their parents. The camps run from 10am to 2.30am daily and are open to children aged 8-13 (approximately). At the end of the week all the participants receive a PPUI polo shirt and a sleeve of golf balls. A club should have a minimum of 20 children participating to host a camp. Full Summer Camp guidelines are available should your club be interested in hosting.

 There are many benefits to clubs hosting a summer camp as host clubs over the years will testify:

 Increased exposure of the game among primary school age children and their parents.

• Clubs participating have shown an increase in membership as a direct result.
• Short term employment opportunity for coaches in the club and the locality.
• Many benefits to children – physical and mental health, personal growth and of course Pitch and Putt skills.

 If you would like to host a Summer Camp in 2013, please get in touch with me in the PPUI office as soon as possible. Even if it’s just to talk through a few questions, it may help with the decision making process. This year we will look to modify the camps, a five day camp might not suit all clubs, with three day events or shorter days suiting better. All options will be examined and we will endeavour to accommodate all interest.  

A few clubs have already committed to hosting camps again this year and we would like to build on the progress over the last few years. Seapoint are an example for any club thinking about holding a summer camp. Hosting their first camp last year, with a lot of endeavour, they attracted nearly fifty children to participate for the week. We would like to have all camps in place in good time for the summer with application forms and posters ready for children in schools by mid April. Please contact the PPUI office as soon as possible if you are interested in hosting a camp in 2014.

Primary Schools Coaching

 National Coach, Steven Enneguess has been embarking on a campaign over the last few years to create links between PPUI clubs and primary schools. Last year alone he helped 1000 children in 40 classes participate in the sport.

 Steven takes classes of up to 25/30 pupils for three hour long sessions, held on consecutive weeks. Along with the assistance of local club coaches/officials/helpers he will be looking to increase the numbers again this year throughout April, May, June and September/October. If you would like some assistance in creating a link between your club and local schools and to run a three week coaching programme in conjunction with Steven, please contact me at the PPUI office.

Garda Vetting

 As you may be aware of, in recent years the subject of Garda Vetting has become more prevalent in both employment and sporting circles.  Vetting can be performed on any person applying for a position within a body that has been approved for vetting.

 Please note that legislation is currently being drafted for a “Vetting Bill” which will tighten regulations in relation to vetting within the coming year. It is likely that vetting will be mandatory for any person within an organisation, employed or volunteer, in a position where there is substantial access to children and to adults with learning disabilities. The PPUI recommends that all clubs and county boards have members who deal with children (running competitions, coaching, juvenile officer, etc.) vetted. 

Vetting is a way of checking a persons history to make sure they do not have any convictions that might mean they are not suitable to work or volunteer in the sport of pitch and putt. Please note that vetting does not ‘clear’ people - it provides information to the PPUI in order to consider if a person is suitable for a position where there is substantial access to children and to adults with learning disabilities. It provides clubs with assurances and confirmation that persons are suitable for roles within a club.

 The PPUI are in a position to carry out vetting on individuals applying for positions within the PPUI. Should someone wish to be vetted for a position they should return a completed form to the Authorised Signatory in a confidential envelope marked “FAO Pauric Buggy”. Please contact the PPUI office should you require vetting forms. They are also available to download on the PPUI website.

PPUI Promotional Flyers/Coaching Guides

 As you will have seen in recent years, the PPUI can provide customised flyers for clubs in order for them to attract new members. These flyers are done in A5 size but A4 posters can also be made for display. The flyers are customizable for each club.

 A coaching leaflet is also available from the PPUI office. This is an excellent resource for beginners and can be printed on demand in the office. Each club can get 50 flyers and 50 coaching guides printed for free each year.  After that prices are €10 per 100 with a bulk order of 1000 flyers costing €75.

 Many clubs have had flyers printed in the past few years and have found them very beneficial. To pursue this further or to see a few samples, please contact the PPUI office.

Club Micro Sites

 Having offered clubs Micro Sites at the time of the website launch, I would like to reissue that message. It is an excellent resource that will allow the addition of fixtures, news, general information and description/pictures of your course. If nothing else, it will provide you with a simple to use and useful online presence, free of charge. In addition clubs can also now access their site through the short code of their club name, (www.ppui.ie/clubname) examples below:

 www.ppui.ie/kilbeggan

 www.ppui.ie/mcbride  

 The above are also excellent examples of what can be done with a club or county board Micro Site. Please note that adding club/county news also has the benefit of adding that news to the PPUI home page, extending your reach to the wider PPUI membership.

At any time if you have an enquiry related to any of the above or similar issues, please don’t hesitate to send me an email or call me in the PPUI office.

Pauric Buggy - PPUI Coaching/Development Manager