Junior Policy
Macreddin Golf Club Junior Golf Policy.
Macreddin Junior Golf Policy has been adopted from the Golf Ireland Junior Policy which promotes best practice for clubs in relation to the recruitment and retention of junior boys and girls in the game. This policy became a requirement of Golf Ireland affiliation as of the 1st January 2022.
Golf Ireland strongly recommend and encourage clubs to have a clear policy outlining the rights of the junior members that is visible on the clubs notice board and communicated to all members. It is important that all members and parents/guardians understand and are aware of the playing rights of all juniors.
JUNIOR CONVENOR
Appoint a Junior Boys and Junior Girls Convenor for the development of juniors (some clubs may choose to amalgamate this role). The Junior Convenor shall be part of the overall Junior Committee within the club and will work on the development of junior golf (boys and girls).
The Junior Convenor shall be nominated onto the Macreddin Committee or a representative of the Junior Committee shall be invited to attend each committee meeting to provide an update on junior boys/girls golf.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMITTEE.
To support the work of the Junior Convenor and the Junior Committee in the development
of junior golf within the club, while also encouraging the membership to support the junior section of the club.
Table junior golf as an agenda item for every committee meeting.
Put in place a structured programme to support juniors which will include the following:
All juniors must be registered on the Centralised Database of Handicaps once they
become a playing member of the club, irrespective of whether they have acquired a World Handicap System (WHS) handicap index or not.
Ensure all juniors are enabled to obtain a WHS handicap index.
Specific to Junior U-18 Boys:
Junior boys with a WHS handicap index of 19.9 or less must be allowed to compete in and win competitions. Additionally, there should not be any restrictions for juniors competing, as such restrictions place barriers to boys competing in these competitions - e.g., restrictions such as ‘juniors must play with an adult’.
All junior boys with a handicap index in excess of 19.9 will be allowed to compete in and win competitions once recommended by the Junior Convenor.
As allowed for in the Golf Ireland Policy, Macreddin Golf Committee has designated two competitions that juniors may be restricted from winning first and second prize only. These are the Presidents prize and the Captains prize. Juniors may compete in and win third or subsequent prizes including the gross.
The only other circumstance where it is acceptable for junior boys to be restricted from playing in major competitions is where the timesheet cannot accommodate all adult competitors (clubs should clearly publish and display prizes which boys are eligible to win).
Specific to Junior U-18 Girls:
All junior girls with a WHS handicap index of 39.9 or less must be allowed to compete in and win club competitions. Additionally, there should not be any restrictions for juniors competing, as such restrictions place barriers to girls competing in these competitions - e.g., restrictions such as ‘juniors must play with an adult’.
All junior girls with a WHS handicap in excess of 39.9 will be allowed to compete in club competitions once recommended by the Junior Convenor.
As allowed for in the Golf Ireland Policy, Macreddin Golf Committee have designated two competitions, the Presidents prize and the Captains prize, that girls may be restricted from winning first and second prize only. They can win third or subsequent prizes including the gross.
The only other circumstance where it is acceptable for girls to be restricted from playing in major competitions is where the timesheet cannot accommodate all adult competitors (clubs should clearly publish and display prizes which girls are eligible to win).
This policy and clubs’ adherence to it will be kept under review so as to ensure that the next generation of golfers can be nurtured and encouraged.
DRESS CODE
Clubs are encouraged to introduce a relaxed dress code in relation to juniors.
SAFEGUARDING
Golf Ireland’s Safeguarding Policy document is underpinned by national policy and legislation, Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017 and the requirements under The Children First Act 2015.
In addition to the above clubs must:
• Carry out a risk assessment and produce a Child Safeguarding Statement
• Complete appropriate vetting checks (Garda Vetting)
• Appoint a Club Children’s Officer and Designated Liaison Person
• Sign codes of conduct annually
• Attend appropriate safeguarding training – for all volunteers and staff including your PGA professional working with juniors in your club
• Have in place a proper recruitment process
• Communicate safeguarding procedures to staff, coaches, volunteers, parents, members and juniors. (e.g., website, newsletter, notice boards, junior induction day)
• Complete Sport Irelands Safeguarding Audit Framework.
PROCEDURE FOR A JUNIOR MEMBER TO REPORT BREACHES OF GOLF IRELAND JUNIOR POLICY
Highlight the breach to the Club Junior Convenor and request them to address it with
the appropriate Committee
Highlight the breach to your parent and request them to also raise the issue with the Macreddin Golf Committee.
PROCEDURE FOR AN ADULT MEMBER TO REPORT BREACHES OF GOLF IRELAND JUNIOR POLICY
Refer the breach to the Club Junior Convenor and the appropriate committee. Preferably in writing and seeking a response.
Should the appropriate committee fail to agree or should the parent/guardian be dissatisfied with the response from the committee, the issue should be referred to the Regional Executive.
If the issue remains unsolved, it shall be forwarded to the Golf Ireland National Junior
Development Committee who will work in conjunction with the board. The board decision will be final, and sanctions may apply.
Important Points:
• Golf Ireland’s Junior U-18 policy does not infringe on the rights of full members.
• It is important for the development of juniors that they are entitled to win, and their achievement of winning is recognised.
• While preferred, it is not necessary for boys and girls to have equal rights as girls are an underrepresented group, therefore this is referred to as positive discrimination.
• The Junior Development Policy will be monitored and reviewed on an annual basis to evaluate its detail and effectiveness.
Macreddin Committee believe this policy reflects the spirit of inclusion and fairness we want to promote at Macreddin Golf for all members including Junior members and is consistent with current Golf Ireland Policy.
Dated: 10th NOVEMBER 2022.