Bridging Pilates and Golf to Welcome More Women into Sport
Bridging Pilates and Golf to Welcome More Women into Sport
Belgravia Foundation is proud to celebrate Coreswing, an innovative program developed at Yarrambat Park Golf Course (YPGC) that is reshaping how women aged 19 to 39 engage with golf. Identifying a major gap in participation through community network forums and membership data, it became clear that young women were significantly underrepresented in golf. With insights from the AusPlay National Sport Participation Report highlighting Pilates as one of the most popular physical activities for women, the idea to merge Pilates and golf was born. By using Pilates as a familiar, confidence-building entry point, Coreswing was designed to spark interest in golf among women who may not have previously considered the sport.
Coreswing offered a welcoming, social environment where women could engage in both Pilates and golf in a way that felt accessible and community-driven. Belgravia Foundation recognises the importance of this approach—not only did it address a participation gap, but it also created a space where women could build friendships, confidence and skills. Post-session coffee catchups further supported social connection and helped cultivate a strong sense of belonging. The Pilates sessions complemented golf development by enhancing core strength, coordination and mobility, giving participants a stronger physical foundation for learning the game.
The impact of Coreswing was closely tracked through post-program surveys distributed by the National Golf Programs Manager. Participants provided feedback on their enjoyment, level of engagement with golf after completing the program and suggestions for future improvements. This valuable data has been used to guide ongoing program delivery and improvements. The strong participant response confirmed that Coreswing is delivering an enjoyable, empowering experience, successfully introducing new participants to both golf and leisure more broadly.
The results speak volumes. Coreswing generated over 180 visits to the facility, delivered an impressive Net Promoter Score of 86 and achieved an 80 percent retention rate from term one to term two. Remarkably, half of the term one participants purchased their own golf clubs, a clear sign of growing confidence and long-term engagement. The program generated $6,000 in revenue, $5,000 of which came through state government grant funding. Belgravia Leisure and YPGC have also received national recognition, with Golf Australia publishing a feature article on the program’s innovative, inclusive design.
Belgravia Foundation applauds the success of Coreswing as a forward-thinking, evidence-based model for inclusive sport. It demonstrates how listening to community needs and creatively combining disciplines can open doors to new leisure pathways. This program has not only introduced more women to golf—it has built confidence, created community, and enhanced Belgravia Leisure’s reputation as a leader in inclusive, purpose-driven recreation.