SADA statement issued on Friday read.dd | Forum

The chief executive of England Golf is hoping the success of new Masters champion Danny Willett will help inspire more people to take up the game. Nick Pink, who took over at the helm earlier this year, told Sky Sports News HQ that the 28-year-olds victory at Augusta National may help to change the perception that golf is stuffy and old fashioned and not a game for the masses.Pink made reference to the way Willett, Britains first Green Jacket wearer for 20 years, used modern social media during his hour of triumph. Sky sports backs Get into golf Sky Sports supporting Get Into Golf in build-up to British Masters He also mentioned England Golfs Get into golf initiative which is launched in conjunction with Sky Sports in the hope of increasing participation in the game.England Golfs three-year partnership with Sky Sports hopes to bring 500,000 new, or lapsed, golfers into the sport by the end of 2018.Pink said: It is a tremendous opportunity for us to maximise the reach of Danny Willetts great victory, and we need to hang on the coat tails of that Green Jacket and start to inspire the next generationWith five Englishmen in the top 10, we want to get more people participating in our great sport.We launched on Tuesday in partnership with Sky - as our media partner - and the Get into Golf programme which has been running for just over a year.Its all about increasing player and coaching opportunities for those at grassroots level to participate in golf. Danny Willett is the first British winner of the Masters since Nick Faldo Weve seen a drop in numbers over the last 10 years but that has started to stabilise over the last year to 18 months.There is a stereotype about the game and we hope by having Sky as a media partner will help change that.But you saw Danny on Sunday, interacting on Skype and Twitter, and the interest weve had since Sunday has all come through social media helped by Danny and his brother.His brother took to Twitter and social media also, and got a lot of profile in recent days.There is also our Golf Express in Staffordshire, a pilot scheme, which is getting people playing alternative formats, nine holes, 12 holes, at lunchtime, after work, and that has been successful.Were running a lot of girls initiatives, to encourage girls and young women into the sport.Sport England has done the same and there are a lot of clubs up and down the country trying to engage new people and change the perception of golf.Visit www.getintogolf.org for more information. Also See: Clarke: Dont doubt McIlroy Mental mistakes cost Spieth More to come from Willett Golf series to launch on Sky The investigation into Greater Western Sydney star Lachie Whitfield is back in AFL hands after ASADA had been briefed earlier this week by the league.Whitfield is alleged to have spent a night last year at club welfare manager Craig Lamberts house for fear of being drug tested at his own home, with the knowledge of (then) football chief Graeme Allan.Both officials have since left the Giants, Lambert taking up a similar role at Brisbane and Allan being appointed general manager of football at Collingwood.Whitfield remains available for selection and will play in the Giants first final next weekend against Sydney.On 1 September, the AFLs Integrity Department briefed ASADA on their investigation into the conduct of a current listed player of the GWS Giants Footballl Club and two former members of staff of that club, an ASADA statement issued on Friday read.ddddddddddddA copy of the investigators report was provided to ASADA at that meeting.The matter remains with the AFL for the next steps to be determined and the AFL will now seek legal opinion on this matter.ASADA will be consulted once this process is complete.With their lengthy investigation having been ticked off by ASADA, the AFL will look to bring a swift conclusion to the matter.ASADA is satisfied that the next steps remain with the AFL, a league statement read.The AFL will seek further legal opinion before consulting again with ASADA. ' ' '