England Golf is to receive an £8m cash injection from Sport England over the next five years to tackle inequalities in the game.
The £7.9m of 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.
England Golf says it will focus on four core areas of work aligned to its 2021-2025 ‘Course Planner’ strategy, which was 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.
England Golf’s 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, while its performance department, through its talent pathway, will look to unlock the potential of England’s young golfers and develop role models.
Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of Sport England, said: “England Golf 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.”