Canterbury Golf Selected to Pilot National Volunteer Coaching Support Programme

POSTED ON July 3, 2026 @ 3:55 pm

Canterbury Golf has been chosen as the first district in New Zealand to pilot Golf New Zealand’s new volunteer coaching support initiative, the National Programme Activator (NPA). Clubs across the region are being invited to participate in the initial rollout before the programme expands across the country.

Supporting Entry-Level Volunteers

The NPA targets volunteers who manage entry-level golf activities at the club level. This includes individuals running existing initiatives like She Loves Golf and Futures, as well as those assisting with informal coaching sessions for newcomers. The programme focuses on supporting individuals already engaged in these roles by providing them with tools, confidence, and resources, rather than recruiting new volunteers.

“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,” Canterbury Golf said. “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.”

Programme Requirements and Resources

As participants in the pilot district, Canterbury volunteers will provide feedback to help refine the programme ahead of its national rollout later this year. The training curriculum consists of three primary components:

NPA Module: A 40-minute session covering the purpose and key ideas behind the role.
Safeguarding Module: A 50-minute session focused on supporting safe, inclusive, and welcoming environments.
In-Person Workshop: A practical session scheduled for 26 July to integrate the material.

Volunteers who complete the programme will receive access to the CoachMate app, a cap, a tee, and the option to receive a set of coaching cards provided by Canterbury Golf and Golf New Zealand.

How to Participate

Clubs are encouraged to identify and refer current or prospective session leaders to the initiative. Expressions of interest are currently being accepted through the National Programme Activator – Expression of Interest Form.

For further details, contact Tom Wilson, Participation Programme Coordinator at Golf NZ, at tom.wilson@golfnz.org.