Voitsberg, Austria – Over five intense days of competition in early August, more than 60 young minigolfers under the age of 19, representing 10 countries, competed for medals across various categories at the bi-annual Youth World Championship.
For the first time in its history, the World Minigolf Federation (WMF) included youth education as part of this event. As part of the ongoing cooperation between United Through Sports (UTS) and the WMF, which began in 2019, UTS delivered a workshop for the young athletes focused on mental health in sports and daily life.
UTS President Stephan Fox said:
“Our partnership with the World Minigolf Federation began in China 5 years ago and has grown stronger each passing year. With then President Gerhard Zimmerman, his vision to build the federation has meant that the WMF is growing stronger and stronger. Today, building on the legacy under leadership of President Leif Meitilberg, we are committed to empowering youth to thrive on and off the field of play.”
UTS was represented by CEO Julia Govinden and UTS Young Leader Sarah Schumacher, who is not only a Minigolf champion from Germany but also a core member of the WMF administration team, particularly through her role in managing social media alongside Lena Hoogen, also a German youth Minigolf athlete.
The workshop emphasized finding balance and provided tools for managing mental health and pressure effectively, with active exercises introduced for the athletes to try themselves. The environment was intimate and welcoming, providing a strong foundation for athletes to share their experiences and views on these important topics.
Two sessions were held, with over 80 male and female attendees. Coaches were also present, engaging in discussions and offering additional support to the athletes. The interactive approach ensured that everyone felt included and able to participate at their own comfort level.
UTS believes in guiding the youth before challenges arise by introducing protective factors that build confidence and reassurance, both in and out of competition. With the Olympics serving as an ideal reference, the sessions covered relevant topics such as competition coping mechanisms and how elite athletes manage their emotions. Techniques like emotion regulation, cognitive reappraisal, visualization, and mindfulness were among those explored.
Sarah Schumacher said:
“Becoming aware of my mental health and working on it has been a game-changer in my sports career and all other parts of life. With the workshop, we intended to make the young Minigolf athletes aware of the importance of mental health and its positive impact. I wish for them to gain more interest and work on this topic to become happier and more successful in what they do because we can change the world for the better by starting the change within ourselves.“
UTS CEO Julia Govinden, drawing on her expertise as a psychologist, explored behavioral patterns and highlighted how individuals, including athletes, respond to stress and pressure. She encouraged introspection and demonstrated ways to better regulate emotions under pressure. Sarah Schumacher was the perfect support, adding her personal experiences as an athlete and Minigolf enthusiast, making her relatable for the athletes.
Athletes provided feedback that, despite the seemingly heavy topic, the sessions were engaging, helpful, and supportive towards their competitions.
In addition to the workshop and as part of its collaboration with UTS, WMF invited Special Olympics Austria to join the event, offering youth of all abilities the chance to try Minigolf and enjoy the fun. The WMF is committed to continuing its educational programs and inclusive initiatives, with a focus on collaborating with other sports organizations in the future.
UTS CEO Julia Govinden shared :
“Our respect to the WMF for taking a big step forward and adding a new approach to inclusion within the federation and sport through the partnership with Special Olympics Austria. The youth education program that we organised during the Minigolf Youth World Championship is a testament to the power of our collaboration, and our joint efforts to ensure youth are supported. We look forward to many more successful joint initiatives in the future.”
UTS would like to thank Maciej Mądrowski for his coordination and Marc Chapman for his fantastic on-the-ground support during the sessions. Special thanks go to WMF Vice-President Sport Pasi Aho and WMF President Leif Meitilberg for placing the needs of the athletes at the center, and to Gerhard Zimmerman for initiating this collaboration back in 2019, in China. Finally, heartfelt thanks to Sarah Schumacher for her brilliance and confidence, and most importantly, to the athletes and coaches who participated, listened, and made the sessions a great success.
