Young achievers on course

Young Achievers Foundation cadets Joanne (18) and Yifan (11) with foundation members and Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club representatives ahead its golf day fundraiser there on March 15. (Damjan Janevski) 387962_01

An organisation established to give young achievers in the west a helping hand, is calling on golfers to do the same for them next month.

The Young Achievers Foundation (YAF) is holding their annual golf day fundraiser at Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club on Friday March 15.

YAF president Sam Vaimuthu said proceeds from the day would help the foundation help young people across Maribyrnong, Hobsons Bay, Wyndham and Brimbank.

“It’ll help high performance young people in west of Melbourne who are aspiring to be elite in their discipline, be it golf, sport or the arts,” said Mr Vaimuthu of what YAF has been doing since it was established to assist young golfers more than 30 years ago.

Since then YAF has broadened the range of sports and disciplines it takes ‘cadets’ from, only requiring that they be aged 12 to 24 and be of sufficient potential, but lacking the financial means needed to reach it.

“We sponsor them and give them an allowance and also cover costs like registration, administration fees and stuff like that,” explained Mr Vaimuthu of how YAF helps out its cadets.

“At the moment we have cadets from various sports. We have four from golf, we have baseball player a hockey player and also a racing car driver and a ballet dancer.”

In order to retain support, cadets’ performance and achievements are assessed every six months to ensure they’re continued development.

Socceroo and former Melbourne Victory midfielder, Jimmy Jeggo, and former golfer and now prominent golfing commentator, Stacy Keating, are among YAF’s most notable alumni.

The golf day will cost $150 per person and players can book individually or as a team.

The day will finish with dinner, entertainment, auctions and raffles.

For more information: yaf3030@gmail.com

Cade Lucas