England Golf has received backing from Sport England's new funding model and will work in partnership with the organisation to tackle inequalities in the game.
The national governing body for golf has a foundational role in the sport and physical activity sector and is therefore well placed to help level up access to sport and physical activity across the country.
England Golf will receive an investment of £7,967,000 of government and National Lottery funding from Sport England over the next five years.
This funding has been made available because England Golf has committed to co-deliver change at a national and local level, to help more people enjoy the benefits of playing sport and being active.
All partner organisations were selected by Sport England due to their ability to influence positive change and improvement throughout the sector, their own networks, and beyond.
This is the first step on a journey to revolutionise Sport England’s approach to long-term partnerships which will see it build new relationships with innovative organisations, as well as with existing partners, local partners and delivery partners to further the ‘Uniting the Movement’ strategy.
Sport England research shows that some groups are typically less active – such as women, people with long-term health conditions, disabled people, people from ethnically diverse communities and lower socio-economic groups.
Right now, the opportunities to get involved in sport and activity – and reap the rewards of being active – depend too much on your background, your gender, your bank balance and your postcode.
England Golf will focus on four core areas of work aligned to its 2021-2025 ‘Course Planner’ strategy published last year.
Systemic work will concentrate on connecting and energising the golf community.
In governance, the integrity of decision-making and implementation of SafeGolf will lead the way for the industry.
Our network of club support officers and staff will be educated on the best way to deliver programmes to ensure greater accessibility and inclusivity throughout the game.
And our performance department, through its talent pathway, will look to unlock the potential of England’s young golfers and develop role models for everyone to admire.
Over £193 million is being invested by Sport England, with the 43 partners, including England Golf, receiving funding for up to five years.
This new funding model from Sport England provides longer-term financial security as organisations recover and reinvent from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of Sport England, said: “Sport England’s Uniting the Movement strategy aims to help everyone play sport and get active – no matter who they are, where they live, or what their background.
“But we know that certain groups are more likely to be inactive and need targeted support and investment.
“We can only innovate and tackle these inequalities effectively with collective action, recognising that this is about long-term change.
“England Golf is one of a huge number of partners we are looking to work with on exactly this over the coming years.
“They play a foundational role within the sport and physical activity sector and are therefore well-placed to create the conditions for change.
“They will also act as a resource for other innovative organisations with the same goals as we seek to create a more equal society with everyone benefitting from sport and physical activity.”
Richard Flint, England Golf’s chief operating officer, commented: “We’re grateful to Sport England for working with us to promote golf as a game for everyone.
“We view our work with Sport England as a true partnership with a shared value placed on encouraging more people, from all walks of life, to make golf in its many forms a regular part of their routine and to enjoy the fantastic physical and mental benefits of being more active.
“At the heart of everything we do is a determination to make sure there is equal opportunity for anyone who wants to pick up a club, be that at a driving range, crazy golf course or an 18-hole golf facility, and for them to feel that golf is an affordable and accessible game.
“It’s a further boost to our new Junior Golf Strategy, operated in collaboration with the Golf Foundation, which aims to take golf into the heart of our communities and schools to encourage the next generation.
“Throughout this five-year partnership with Sport England, I’m certain we can make positive changes and welcome many more people to our game.”
· For more information about the work Sport England carries out, click here
Note to editors: About England Golf
We are dedicated to growing the game of golf in England. As one of the country’s largest sport governing bodies, we look after the interests of around 1,800 golf clubs and 647,000 golf club members. Golf is our passion. We develop and nurture the game by:
Promoting golf as an open, welcoming, inclusive and fun sport for everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or ability
Inspiring new golfers with our innovative campaigns
Encouraging new golfers to value the benefits of club membership
Working with partners to offer business support to clubs
Staging top-class championships and competitions for all ages and abilities
Coaching national squad players to follow in the footsteps of past graduates including Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Georgia Hall and Bronte Law.
Contact details:
Iain Macfarlane, Press Officer
Tel: 07703 828938
Email: pr@englandgolf.org