Crowland school installs £12,000 crazy golf course to boost participation and health

A primary school has installed a crazy golf course to improve sports participation, health and wellbeing in its pupils.

Youngsters at South View Community Primary School in Crowland returned from their summer break to discover that the new equipment had been installed on their field.

“We have so many children who enjoy sport, but who are not keen on physically intensive and hugely competitive sports such as football or netball,” explained headteacher Joanne Tomlins.

“We know from statistics that South Holland has a poor record in terms of obesity levels in primary aged children, so we have been looking at a number of ways we can help tackle this issue.

“In order to get the children to move more, and broaden the types of sports they can access, we decided to pursue a project in golf, and have enrolled on the local authority Defeat the Sweet initiative to support us with promoting healthier eating habits.

“We look forward to reporting on our successes.”

As part of a Whole School Golf Initiative, the school are taking part in the Golf Foundation’s Unleash your Drive programme, which is designed to increase participation in golf from an early age, teaching the children the skills of putting, chipping etc.

The school’s Fundraising Committee, Friends of South View’donated £12,000 to the school to purchase the course, whilst local business, Burmor Construction, kindly paid for the materials for installation and supplied workmen to draw it all together.

Further funding was awarded to the school by The Golf Foundation, ‘The WPA Foundation and Active Lincolnshire through the Opening School Facilities grant for golfing equipment.

Andrew Wilkinsons of Active Lincolnshire said: “The Opening Schools Facilities programme has supported swimming, girls’ football and now golf at South View Primary School.

“The number of students accessing learn to swim, swimming sessions and girls football has been fantastic.

“Supporting the golf project with funding for coaching and equipment will help to engage other young people in regular physical activity.

“Who knows - in a few years’ time we could have helped the next Rory McIlroy find their lifelong passion for sport.”

Amers Nizzer of Friends of South View added: “When we asked Mrs Tomlins what she would like the fundraising committee to contribute towards, this golf course was a clear winner.

“It’s a fantastic facility, that will remain with the school for a long time to come, benefiting all the children at South View.”

Youngsters have loved getting to grips with the course.

Eva said ‘I just really like it, it’s shown me a new game’ while Charley added ‘Other schools don’t have this. I like ball sports, and this is different’.