Hvaleyrarskóli in partnership with Keili Golf Club

Create new opportunities for participation in leisure activities

Next winter, the eldest children at the after-school club in Hvaleyrarskóli will have the opportunity to get to know the sport of golf in a new way. The project is a collaboration between the leisure centre and Golfklúbburinn Keiliskot and aims to introduce children in Year 3 and Year 4 to the sport, strengthen ties with the local community, and create new opportunities for participation in leisure activities. The project received a grant from the Hafnarfjörður Education Fund this spring. We spoke with Margrét Heiða Magnúsdóttir, the school's leisure centre manager, and Páll Sigurður Sigurðsson, assistant manager.

„The idea actually originally comes from Kristni, the headmaster.“ says Margrét Heiða. „He had a connection to Keili through family and that's where the idea came from to explore whether a partnership could be established.“ The project also grew out of regular consultation on the area's school and leisure activities. „We meet regularly with representatives from other schools and leisure centres and discuss, among other things, how to increase children's participation in organised leisure activities. We are always looking for ways to introduce children to new opportunities and connect them with local sports clubs.“

A new experience for the eldest children

The collaboration will work as follows: children in Year 3 and Year 4 will go to Keili once a week, where a coach from the golf club will welcome the group. A member of staff from the after-school club will accompany them, and the children will receive instruction in the basics of golf. „The grant we received is used, among other things, to buy equipment and pay for the training. The main aim is to offer a fun and different experience. We don't stray far from our usual activities during the winter, so we thought it would be exciting to try something new, also for the many children here from foreign backgrounds who don't regularly do after-school activities.“

They point out that the project could also be a good addition for the oldest children at the after-school club. „Year 4 have often been with us for a long time, and sometimes you need to find something that's especially for them. This gives them an opportunity to do something together as a group and try new things.“ says Margrét Heiða. 

Hoping to spark an interest in golf

Although the project is primarily intended as a fun addition to their leisure activities, they also see an opportunity to introduce children to a sport they may know little about. „There are certainly some children who play golf already, but many have never tried it. We felt it was important to introduce the sport to all children, regardless of their background or previous experience. Perhaps some will become interested and want to carry on.“

In recent weeks and in the coming weeks, interviews with grantee from the Hafnarfjörður Education Fund be published on the media channels of the City of Hafnarfjörður. This gives residents and other interested parties the opportunity to gain a deeper insight into the excellent projects and creative school and leisure activities.