Australian Nick Bielawski is on a special mission to grow the game of golf in Fiji.

A PGA Professional and Coaching Programs Manager for the PGA
of Australia, Bielawski is the man charged with introducing golf to kids in
Fiji.  

This week he has arrived in Fiji to work with teachers
around the country on how best to coach golf in schools.

"I am going to Nadi and Suva to do teacher trainings, so
five to six schools are each providing two school teachers and the entire day
we are going to be going through how to run golf classes in their school," said
Bielawski who is passionate about the development of golf at a junior level.

"By the time the day is finished the teachers will be able
to do run golf programs inside their school, whether it’s a one day program or
it’s something that goes for five to 10 weeks. They will know how to do chipping,
putting and full swing and play little games and activities with the students."

Bielawski conducted a similar visit last year and has used
that experience to further improve the education he is providing to the
Teachers.

"Last year when I was in Fiji, I predominantly travelled
around the country visiting different schools so I was able to see what their
facilities are like," added Bielawski.

"The benefit this time is that I have a better understanding
of what their students are like in their coordination and skills, what they
will find fun and what their facilities are like. So now I can show the
teachers how they can best instruct the kids and best run a program given their
facilities, which are all different."

"In Australia we have the benefit of lots of golf courses
and sports ovals, in Fiji some schools are only small and might only have half
a soccer pitch or something so being able to tailor the program to work in all
conditions, even inside in a class room is the biggest benefit this year."

But aside from just gaining knowledge Fijian teachers will
now have access to junior golf equipment to deliver golf classes to their
students.

However possibly the biggest benefit for Fijian kids is that
they now have access to the MyGolf Junior Program which runs throughout
Australia.

"We are looking to use the MyGolf philosophy and concept in
Fiji, obviously there will be some cultural differences but we have tailored
the program to suit kids in Fiji," added Bielawski.

"MyGolf is largely based on participation and having fun,
introducing juniors to the game so they are having as much fun as they can so
that hopefully golf will be one of the sports that they play."

Whilst in Fiji, Bielawski will also be providing training to
Fijian PGA Professionals which is a huge boost to the game in Fiji.

"I am also doing some training with the Fijian PGA so we
should have about 15 Fijian PGA Members thatwill be trained in junior coaching
principles and general coaching techniques around ball flight laws and drills
and teaching aids," added Bielawski.  

"The idea is that Fijian Pros will be better equipped to
support the club that they are involved with to coach the members and juniors."

"But they will also be able to go into the schools around
their city and help promote golf and work in cooperation with the teachers that
I have trained."

With the Fiji International fast approaching now is the best
time to get kids interested in golf, who knows the next Vijay Singh might even be
uncovered.

"Junior golf is the building block of the game. If someone
hasn’t been exposed to golf and they are above the age of 25 it’s unlikely that
they will take the game up due to life commitments," added Bielawski.

"But if we introduce golf to them at an early age then they
are able to play that sport instead of or in addition to rugby and soccer. If
we expose kids to golf at an early age then they will be golfers for life."

Through the Fiji International the PGA of Australia is
aiming to leave a lasting legacy of golf in the country.

The aims is to see more people playing and enjoying golf
year round, Nick Bielawski’s training is just one strategy to ensuring this
objective is met. 

"By bringing a world class golf tournament to Fiji we are
providing Fijians access to a game they wouldn’t usually have," said Stephen
Ayles, Chief Commercial Officer for the PGA of Australia.

"Through the tournament we are developing this junior golf program
where local school teachers and coaches will be trained on how to deliver golf
programs."

"We are aiming to leave a sustainable legacy which will see golf
played year round in Fiji, not just during tournament week."