Empower Coach of the Year 2022 Award Announced
Empower Golf Australia (Empower) and Walkinshaw Sports announce it has awarded the inaugural Empower Coach of the Year Award to Ellesha Michie of EM Golf Coaching based at Gunabul Homestead, Gympie, Queensland.
Since its inception in 2014, Empower Golf has expanded across Australia and is now recognised as a primary provider of golf services and equipment for Australians with disabilities. With an increasing number of clients and coaches, Empower felt it was time to reward their coaches for their incredible contribution and created the Coach of the Year award.
The nominees were selected from Empower’s team of specialised disability coaches across Australia for displaying excellence across the following categories:
- Diversity of offerings including coaching, clinics, equipment advice, facility improvement, and tournaments
- Number of hours coached
- Number of clients coached
- Feedback from clients and;
- General advocacy and promotion of All Abilities in golf
With many impressive Empower coaches changing people’s lives around the country, the decision was a difficult one but the panel from Empower and their committed partner Walkinshaw Sports were unanimous in their decision.
Ellesha Michie, who started her coaching business in 2014 and has been the Head Professional at Gunabul Homestead since 2021, has been named the 2022 Empower Coach of the Year and will receive $2500 worth of product from Walkinshaw Sports’ extensive range of leading golf brands.
Michie commented: “I really love working with Empower and golfers with a disability – seeing the faces light up with excitement whilst enjoying the game is just awesome and I love seeing them engaged in their local community.
Commenting on what it means to be recognised Michie said, “I definitely was lost for words. It was the last thing I expected but I feel extremely grateful and honoured especially as I was the first recipient of this award.”
James Gribble, founder of Empower said, “Massive thanks and congratulations Ellesha! This is a small reflection of the crucial impact our professionals are making on people’s lives and society. We are always looking for coaches and facilities to help Empower with our mission and are grateful to Walkinshaw Sports for supporting the Empower coaches in such a special way.”
Jon Perrett, partnerships Manager at Walkinshaw Sports added, “Walkinshaw Sports are proud to play a role in helping Empower Golf change people’s lives through the great game of golf. A huge congratulations to Ellesha. It is amazing to see the great work she is doing with all abilities golfers and we hope hundreds of other PGA Professionals can follow her lead.”
