Ladies with disabilities to take their first swing

Johannesburg, South Africa. July 2019 – In the spirit of Women’s Month, Canon SA, the South African Disabled Golf Association’s First Swing Program and Beyond Ability Talent Solutions are inspiring women with disabilities to step out of their comfort zones and learn the game of golf. About 20 women with varying disabilities will have a platform to learn golf skills with coaches from the First Swing Program at a special Women’s Day event at Killarney Country Club on 9 August 2019.
 
The First Swing Program, of which Canon SA is a proud sponsor, teaches golf skills to people with disabilities. The primary focus of the program is on rehabilitation and psychological development of disabled children. The program is operational in more than 35 schools across the country, with some 750 children benefitting every week. The program also arranges several inter schools and provincial tournaments throughout the year to give the young players an opportunity to participate in competitions. One of the First Swing program’s talented young players, Ignation Douries will be at the Women’s Day event to talk about how playing golf has helped him shift his mindsets, improve his physical wellbeing, and importantly believe in himself. The First Swing Program’s PGA coaches,  Prince Modiba and Barend Knoetze as well as two disabled golfers, Ernst Conradie and Curtley Roberts will also be on hand to give advice and encouragement.
 
Sponsoring the First Swing Program gives Canon South Africa the opportunity to support three passions that are close to its heart; children, local sport and people with disabilities. “Playing golf has shown to have exceptional physical and emotional benefits for people with disabilities. During our association with SADGA, we have seen firsthand the positive impact of the program on the rehabilitation and psychological development of young people with disabilities. It is especially heartening to see the participants growing both emotionally and physically on a personal and sporting level.
 
“We are delighted to be part of the Women’s Day event which we hope will plant a seed in the minds of the ladies to take up a new sport that perhaps they never thought they could do. We would love to see more ladies with disabilities playing golf,” says Dana Eitzen, Corporate and Marketing Communications Executive from Canon SA which also sponsors the South Africa Disabled Golf Open that attracts some of the world’s best golfers with disabilities from around the world.
 
This year, two women competed in the Canon South Africa Disabled Golf Open, including Charlene Pienaar who was the only blind lady golfer in the tournament.
 
For more information about Beyond Ability Talent solutions and their mentorship program for woman entrepreneurs with disabilities please visit https://consciousness.co.za/company-profile-beyond-ability-talent-solutions/
 
For more information about Canon South Africa visit www.canon.co.za or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn
 
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