The AASE in Golf aims to support young golfers (16-19) who have the realistic potential to achieve golfing excellence and are seeking to perform at the highest level as their main career goal.

The programme is a two year elite athlete development initiative designed to support young, talented, male and female athletes in achieving their maximum potential in the sport.

It is exclusively available to those young people who have demonstrated the necessary talent and skill required to suggest that they have a realistic chance to make a career from playing golf, either for England or as a playing professional.

There are 15 England Golf endorsed FE colleges offering the AASE golf programme.

If, for whatever reason, an England Golf AASE Academy route isn't deemed to be appropriate, ‘England Futures’ is an alternative programme that allows young players to access the benefits of AASE.

‘England Futures’, launched jointly between the English Golf Union and English Women’s Golf Association, aims to provide targeted support to England’s most talented young golfers.

Any player who is selected to be a part of the ‘England Futures’ programme must possess the drive, commitment and discipline to do their level best within their golf training and they must be dedicated enough to ensure that they complete all the modules in full.

In return the England Futures player will receive top class coaching from specially selected England coaches, a complete package of sports science support including biomechanics, strength & conditioning and psychological training, as well as additional resources towards competition and tournament expenses.

Peter Mattsson the Director of Coaching at the English Golf Union has recognised the role that this programme could play in the development of an aspiring elite golfer.

And it’s not just for the boys, The England Golf Partnership is specifically looking to encourage more girls to participate in the scheme something that Linda Bayman, Performance Director at the English Women’s Golf Association is keen to stress: -

“The scheme is ideal for girls looking to further their careers in the game at a time when they are put under pressure to follow an educational pathway. AASE is the best of both worlds, education, leading to a career or a place at university coupled with a golf training programme which could lead to a life as a professional.”

Summary of the AASE in Golf Provision

Physical Resources

• Full membership of an approved golf club • Unlimited access to fit-for-purpose practice facilities • Access to a suitable facility for fitness training • Opportunities for warm weather training

Human Resources

• A minimum of 60 coaching sessions per year • 240 guided practice sessions per year • Individualised coaching programmes designed to meet the player’s needs • Coaches work with a player’s personal coach where appropriate • Sports psychology support • Physiological and nutritional support • Physical screening and feedback time • Access to a mentor/assessor • Opportunity to meet with a careers advisor and support with any applications to Higher Education

Educational Resources

• Flexible learning options, A-Levels, AS Levels, BTEC etc. to meet a student’s career aspirations • All academies are linked to approved educational establishments • Support in planning and developing their careers both within and outside the sport • Where relevant, support with UCAS applications

Competitions

• Support in managing competitive schedules • Provision of regular competitive opportunities as part of the college team • Support with competition expenses for those players that are able to play in elite level amateur competitions

List of Colleges Offering AASE in Golf:

Brockenhurst College, Brockenhurst, Hampshire SO42 7ZE, UK

Easton College, Norwich, Norfolk NR9 5DX, UK

Filton College, Bristol, South Gloucestershire BS34 7AT, UK

Gateshead College, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE8 3BE, UK

Hartpury College, Gloucester, Gloucestershire GL19 3BE, UK

Leeds City College, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS14 5LS, UK

Moulton College, Northampton, Northamptonshire NN3 7RR, UK

Myerscough College, Preston, Lancashire PR3 0RY, UK

Richard Huish College, Taunton, Taunton, Somerset TA1 3DZ, UK

Richmond College, Twickenham, Twickenham, Greater London TW2 7SJ, UK

Solihull College, Solihull, West Midlands B91 1SB, UK

South Devon College, Paignton, Paignton, Torbay TQ4 7EJ, UK

Sussex Downs College, Lewes, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 2XH, UK

Worthing College, Worthing, West Sussex BN13 1NS, UK