The Jumping Kids Prosthetic Fund (Jumping Kids) today announced its partnership with professional golfer, Stacy Bregman, currently in action on the Sunshine Ladies Tour with the next event teeing off at The Joburg Ladies Open (18-21 April) at Modderfontein Golf Club this week.
“It is my honour to formally announce our partnership with elite athlete, Stacy Bregman. There is a synergy between our Jumping Kids* philosophy and Stacy’s vision of creating an inclusive future for our youth through sport, and the role golf can play therein. We look forward to working with her in spreading awareness and bridging the gap,” says Michael Stevens, Director of Jumping Kids.
Bregman divides her time between South Africa and the United Kingdom, competing on both the Sunshine Ladies Tour and the Ladies European Tour.
Having been introduced to golf as a teenager by a friend, Bregman somewhat ‘accidentally’ got involved in golf at a high level from an early age. She credits her passion for golf and sound mentorship from Neville Sundelson; World Amateur Champion 1973 and bronze medallist at the 1969 Maccabi Games who spotted Bregman’s talent early on; for inspiring her to pursue a career in golf.
Bregman won world amateur and shortly thereafter went on to secure her card for the 2007 Ladies European Tour (LET). Since then, she has achieved three Ladies European Tour runner-up finishes, an impressive ARAMCO team series win, six Sunshine Tour Ladies titles, 40 Tournament Top Ten Finishes and won the Espirito Santo Trophy.
With six of the nine local Sunshine Ladies Tour events already ticked-off this year, Bregman commented on social media that she is starting to feel good about her game following a 4th place finish in the ABSA Ladies Invitational (3-6 April) and a tied 5th place finish last week at the Jabra Ladies Classic (10-12 April).
Apart from eyeing a win at the Investec Women’s Open (25-28 April) and getting back into the top 10 on the LET order of Merit, Bregman aims to help spread awareness about Jumping Kids in support of the charity’s young beneficiaries who have an interest in golf.
We caught up with Stacy to find out more about her and the decision to collaborate with the NPC.
Q&A with Stacy Bregman
- What made you decide to partner with Jumping Kids?
I heard about Jumping Kids through a very good friend of mine, Craig Toontas. I wanted to get involved with a smaller charity organization, as most of the established charities have good support. I love the initiative and vision behind helping and supporting the kids. It enables them to eventually support themselves in the future and boost future generations, encouraging them not to give up and to have a story to tell.
- How do you think sports participation opportunities in golf can be used to help integrate Jumping Kids beneficiaries and create awareness?
Golf is an inclusive sport and can be adapted for individuals with various abilities and disabilities, providing a good platform for inclusive participation. Golf also promotes physical activity, social interaction, and various skill development that can be broken down into the various skills required to play the sport.
Golf promotes skills such as coordination, mental focus, physical endurance, patience, strategic planning, and thinking. These are all valuable life skills that we use daily not only in golf and will offer beneficiaries valuable skills that will help improve well-being, confidence, and self-esteem.
Golf also promotes a wonderful sense of community amongst like-minded players. By having golf involved, it will enable Jumping Kids beneficiaries to connect with friends, mentors, and ambassadors, helping to build confidence, relationships, and a sense of belonging through golf clinics and possible events.
Events integrating golf into Jumping Kids programs raise awareness about what Jumping Kids is all about. It highlights the importance and need for prosthetics for children in need so they can try to lead as normal a life as possible.
- What would your message be to Jumping Kids beneficiaries envisioning a future in sport?
The most important message I can pass on is to believe in yourself and your abilities, no matter what challenges you face.
With a positive mindset, you can achieve everything you ever dreamed of. Hard work and determination pay off. Results may not happen immediately, but gradual progress equals big progress – keep pushing boundaries and never give up!
- In your opinion, what role does innovation in sport science and technology play in the future of sport?
Innovation in sports science and technology plays a crucial role in enhancing an athlete’s performance no matter what the sport.
Receiving instant feedback from data-based insights provides quick information on what you are performing well on or not and allows for immediate changes. As a golfer, the numbers I receive from my sports tech allow me to optimize my time on the driving range or putting area. The information also allows me to track my progress accurately. The feedback I get helps me make better decisions and therefore achieve improved outcomes.
I also work with coaches based in the UK, and it helps me stay in touch with them while I am traveling for tournaments. The software makes it so simple to send swings for them to analyse and provide instant feedback back to me literally minutes after sending off the information. It’s a game-changer for me, and I am sure for a lot of other athletes.
- “Courage is one step ahead of fear”. What does this saying mean to you?
This quote is by Coleman Young! It resonates with me and reminds me to push past any mental doubt to be successful and be the best I can be.
Fear is a very real part of any athlete’s journey and manifests in many ways; fear of being injured and not being able to compete or even practice, fear of failure, fear of losing sponsorship, and even fear of not living up to your expectations or your coach’s expectations of you.
You need to learn to have the courage to face these fears head-on, keep moving forward despite any challenges – the key to success is striving to always be one step ahead of fear through being courageous – but this is easier said than done!
- Your goal is to give back to golf by helping to grow the sport from grassroots level, how do you envision your role?
Inspiring young golfers by sharing my experience and success story; motivating Jumping Kids who share a passion for golf, offering guidance and mentorship; raising awareness and support through my network of 18 years of professional golf; collaborating on fundraising events, I am happy to support these events to help raise funding; creating a more inclusive and welcoming golf community by highlighting the importance of providing equal opportunities for all aspiring golfers regardless of their background or physical abilities.
Integrating my passion for golf with a commitment to give back will have a meaningful impact on the lives of Jumping Kids beneficiaries who share the same passion and talent for the game.
- What would an ideal outcome be from your partnership with Jumping Kids?
To help raise awareness and support for the challenges faced by children in need of prosthetic limbs and the impact of Jumping Kids’ work. With increased awareness, hopefully increased funding and resources will enable the organization to reach more children in need of limbs and support.
Inspiring other athletes like me to get involved in supporting the Jumping Kids mission – ultimately to broaden the network of support, all working towards the common goal of helping children in need and assisting in developing their future to lead fulfilling, active, and normal lives.
To wrap up the above, I hope to help change lives, inspire, bring hope, and create a positive future for the children associated with Jumping Kids.
