Gareth Bale launches partnership with Wales Golf

Footballer Gareth Bale, his management company ICM Stellar Sports and Wales Golf have launched a three-year partnership to boost junior golf.

This June the partnership will work on a national junior championship.

The event will be part of a ‘Festival of Sport’, highlighting the importance of non-early specialisation in sport, held at The Vale Resort.

Bale, who is also a global ambassador for The R&A, the sport’s governing body, said, “As a boy I played every sport I could and I’m sure that helped my development as an athlete.

“I think it’s great that young people in Wales are getting the chance to give golf a try and I’m delighted to play my part in encouraging them to do so.”

The Wales Golf and ICM Stellar Festival of Sport and Golf Championship will be an elite Welsh junior golf event, giving golfers under the age of 16 the opportunity to compete on the national stage.

The event near Cardiff on June 1 and 2 will also be listed on the World Amateur Golf Rankings, a 54 hole event for approximately 84 Welsh players.
“Gareth Bale’s love of golf is well known, but getting so actively involved in helping to promote the sport in Wales is a fantastic gesture from such a great role model,” said Hannah McAllister, Wales Golf chief executive.

Gareth Bale at Santander Golf on December 08, 2021 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/R&A via Getty Images)

“It will be an amazing opportunity for the best young golfers in Wales to be part of this event and be inspired by someone like Gareth Bale who has achieved so much in a Wales jersey, as well as all his other many footballing achievements.

“Wales Golf is also delighted that this is the start of a long term partnership and relationship with Gareth Bale based around our shared love of golf.

“This is also a great opportunity to foster the relationship with Sport Wales and other sports governing bodies in Wales to show young players can continue to play many sports without hindering their development in golf.

“Wales Golf would like to thank Sport Wales and The R&A for supporting the event.”

The event will be a festival of sports, including football, rugby, basketball, table tennis, and volleyball, among others.

Sport Wales acting chief executive officer, Brian Davies, said: “It’s great that Wales Golf and other national governing bodies are able to come together and support this. We also know how important role models are in encouraging youngsters to give a sport a try and I have no doubt that Welsh legend Gareth Bale will be able to persuade a few of them to pick up a golf club and try lots of other sports too.”

By working alongside the Vale of Glamorgan Council, the aim will also be to open the festival of sport to young people who may not enjoy easy access to those recreational sports.

All participants will have the opportunity to try golf and take part in golf development activities, including a group taster golf session and an inflatable dartboard.