Wales Golf has become the third sport governing body in Wales to achieve the insport NGB Gold standard, reflecting their range of delivery for disabled people.
Golf follows only the Welsh Rugby Union and Welsh Gymnastics in achieving the highest standard, which aims to support the physical activity, sport and leisure sectors in developing inclusive thinking, planning development and delivery for disabled and non-disabled people.
The Disability Sport Wales (DSW) Programme is intended to initiate and support cultural change, identifying what inclusion means, widening opportunities, so disabled people become more active and engaged as players, officials, coaches or volunteers.
Tom Rogers, Governance & Partnership Director at Disability Sport Wales said, “Wales Golf achieving the insport NGB Gold standard is a hugely significant milestone and recognition of more than a decade of genuine commitment to developing inclusive provision and opportunities for disabled people across the sport in Wales.
“The insport programme exists to support organisations to embed inclusion at every level of sport, helping to create meaningful and sustainable opportunities for disabled people to participate, volunteer, coach and lead – long-term cultural change so inclusion becomes part of how sport is designed and delivered every day. Throughout that journey, Wales Golf have consistently demonstrated a willingness to learn and evolve, embedding inclusion within their governance, workforce development, and programmes – developing a long-term vision for inclusion within golf.
“Their achievement of the Gold standard reflects a clear commitment to ensuring disabled people can access, enjoy and thrive within golf in ways that are welcoming, visible and genuinely inclusive. The growth in opportunities, the impact of successful campaigns, and the increasing visibility of inclusive golf provision across Wales are all clear indicators of the progress that has been made.
“Importantly, this achievement is not an endpoint; it provides a strong platform for continued growth through initiatives such as the G4D legacy fund and the wider ‘Everyone’s Game: for fun, for sport, for life’ strategy. We look forward to continuing to work in partnership to build on this momentum and create even greater opportunities for communities across Wales in the years ahead.”
Confirmation of the award comes days after Wales successfully hosted the G4D Open for elite level disabled golfers, where Wales Golf were awarded the insport Gold award from members of DSW’s board.
Wales Golf also hosted a Give Golf a Go day for people to try golf for free. More than 40 people attended, including Para Taekwondo’s Paralympic gold medallist Matt Bush. Other initiatives around hosting many of the world’s best disabled golfers at Ryder Cup venue Celtic Manor included a taster session of Unleash Your Drive in partnership with the Golf Foundation for Maes Ebbw pupils, and mini golf area sessions with Maes Ebbw school and Sunshine Youth Group.
“Six per cent of Welsh golfers, 14% of Wales Golf volunteers, 6% of Wales Golf staff and a third of the Wales Golf Board who identify as having a disability,” said Zoe Davies, Wales Golf ED&I Project Lead. Our strategic framework is ‘Everyone’s Game: for fun, for sport, for life’ and as part of that we want it to be open to everyone with opportunities for all. Golf is one of those sports that provides unique opportunities, there are ways of making the sport accessible while the handicap system helps encourage enjoyable competition with a level playing field.
“There are particular cases which have highlighted the need to provide additional club resources in the areas of dementia, epilepsy, ASD and neurodiversity. Wales Golf has produced resources to support individuals, coaches and clubs, while all clubs are encouraged to share those resources with members, staff and volunteers to create a supporting and welcoming environment.
We have developed a golf-specific disability module in the training of Community Golf Instructors across Wales, as well as the Golf Coach Cymru qualification.
“Discussions and consultations with the Welsh Disabled Golf Association have helped us, linking with Bridgend Golf as a support facility, and improved Wales Golf support at events. Holding the G4D Open in Wales also helped us secure enhanced accessibility facilities across Wales, complete a new accessibility audit, while the process was informed by consultation with disabled golfers.
There is an EDI working group and action plan in Wales Golf, with engagement throughout the organisation, including club governance and support.”
Jo Hendy, insport Senior Officer, added: “Wales Golf’s achievement of the insport Gold standard reflects a genuine whole-organisation commitment to inclusive practice. There is a clear shared passion across the team to strengthen and grow opportunities within disability golf, and that commitment is visible both strategically and through the opportunities being delivered on the ground. It’s fantastic to see more disabled people able to access, enjoy and progress within the game as a result of that work.”