BGC intends to narrow the junior gender gap

The Brisbane Golf Club (BGC) is inspiring young women and girls to play and stay in golf at social, competitive, elite or professional levels.

“Our junior program has gone from strength to strength in the last 5 years with over 200 juniors participating in the Junior Academy or High Performance Squad, playing Club golf or competing at an elite level in 2025,” said Joe Janison, Director of Golf.

The challenge for us is that boys outnumber girls by more than 2 to 1. In addition, across the last 5 years only 40% of young women and girls continued membership beyond the five-year period, with other priorities and sports attracting their attention.

“Participating in the Junior Girls Scholarship Program has proved to be an effective way of improving participation and engagement in Clubs across Australia,” said Deb Kember, President.

“Our theory is that if we foster a feeling of connection with peers and members, we are well on the way to generating a loyalty and attachment to the Club that potentially lasts a lifetime”.

“We are taking a holistic approach to the junior girls scholarship program to give every recipient the opportunity to pursue their dreams and goals in golf.”

“We are keen to help the girls develop expertise in speaking publicly, being a team player and potentially leading a team as Captain or in an unofficial capacity.”

“On a broader level we are supporting the girls create a network across Clubs and the golf industry which potentially sets them on a path to elite golf, a role working in golf or making the most of a lifetime of golf.”

Bonnie Boezeman AO, founder of the Junior Girls Scholarship Program travelled to Brisbane for the launch of the program and encouraged the girls to play together and stay together, supporting each other to achieve their personal and golfing goals.

“Golf can be a “game for life”, not like the typical sports in school such as Netball or AFL, and the friendships you make playing golf can be life friendships.” said Bonnie Boezeman, Director Australian Golf Foundation.

Elite amateur, Hannah Reeves congratulated the inaugural recipients of the BGC Junior Girls Scholarship and suggested they take advantage of every opportunity ahead, ask lots of questions about the game, and always work on an aspect of the game, taking advice from their coach.

Associate Professional, Aspen Sugars shared her story from Club member to working in golf and emphasised the importance of a support team to help improve playing the game and progressing a career in the golf industry.

Asha Flynn, Women and Girls Development Manager is leading the scholarship program and is looking forward to working with the scholarship recipients as they work towards their goals.

Twelve talented girls from BGC are now part of an inspiring group of nearly 1,500 girls from across Australia who are Junior Girls Scholarship recipients in 2025. Each scholarship recipient will receive coaching and a junior membership for one year. Congratulations to Alice, Skylar, Angelina, Amelia, Rahee, Charlie, Anna, Amara, Angela, Emily, Lucinda, and Alannah.

All of us at BGC will be living the successes and challenges with the girls, cheering them on and watching them shine on and off the course.