Canterbury Golf has been selected as the first district in New Zealand to pilot Golf New Zealand’s new volunteer coaching support programme, the National Programme Activator (NPA) — and clubs across the region are now invited to get involved.
The NPA has been designed for the volunteers who make entry-level golf happen at the club level — the people already giving up their time to run programmes like She Loves Golf and Futures, or simply helping out with informal coaching sessions for newcomers. Rather than asking clubs to find new people, the programme is about backing those already doing the work, equipping them with the tools, confidence, and resources to deliver even better experiences.
“We know there are people in our clubs who’ve stepped up to run sessions or support newcomers, often without much formal training behind them,” says Canterbury Golf. “This programme is about recognising that contribution and giving them proper support to do it well — while also building a stronger network of volunteers across the region who care about how golf is delivered.”
As the pilot district, Canterbury’s participants will play a direct role in shaping the programme, with feedback collected to help refine it ahead of a national rollout later this year.
The programme includes:
- An NPA module covering the purpose and key ideas behind the role (40 minutes)
- A Safeguarding module, supporting safe, inclusive, and welcoming environments for everyone involved in the game (50 minutes)
- An in-person workshop, bringing it all together in a practical setting, to be held on 26 July
Everyone who completes the programme will receive access to CoachMate, along with a cap, tee, and the option of a set of coaching cards — Canterbury Golf and Golf New Zealand’s way of saying thanks for the time and commitment volunteers give to growing the game.
Clubs are encouraged to think about who in their club might be a great fit — whether they’re already involved in delivering these sessions or are keen to start — and pass on the details.
Expressions of interest are open now: National Programme Activator – Expression of Interest Form
For more information, contact Tom Wilson, Participation Programme Coordinator at Golf NZ, at tom.wilson@golfnz.org.
