The R&A has entered a partnership with the Black Collective of Media in Sport (BCOMS) to launch a media training opportunity at the 2023 AIG Women’s Open.
Working with BCOMS – a black-led organisation that aims to diversify UK’s sports media – The R&A will offer aspiring media professionals from diverse backgrounds a range of placements at the AIG Women’s Open when it is played at Walton Heath from 10-13 August.
Supported and mentored by staff from The R&A, BCOMS trainees will gain invaluable experience across areas such as photography, social media and media relations. They will contribute to content output for The R&A and AIG Women’s Open channels and gain experience and advice to help support their professional development.
Martin Slumbers, CEO of The R&A said, “The R&A is committed to creating and fostering an inclusive culture in golf. We want more people involved with the sport at every level and that includes working within the industry as well as playing, so we are delighted to be working with BCOMS to offer this opportunity.
“This year we are introducing new experiences for fans at the AIG Women’s Open to attract new audiences, but we know there is more that we can do to attract the future workforce of the sport – to educate and inspire individuals from a range of backgrounds that a career in golf is for them, whether they play or not.”
Drew Christie, Chair of BCOMS said, “Since 2009 BCOMS has worked to support the next generation of media professionals with the aim of creating a stronger, better and healthier sports media industry. Greater diversity is part of the answer to creating the change the industry needs, and this requires the support of organisations that share our vision and can help achieve it.
“There are lots of young people that feel like a career in golf and in the sports media is not open to them, so it’s essential we work with leading organisations like The R&A to create pathways for the future role models within the industry and sport. Providing opportunities like this helps us to do just that.”
This new initiative forms part of The R&A’s long-standing commitment to make golf a more inclusive and diverse sport. Last year Zane Scotland was appointed Diversity Ambassador to support the development of programmes that encourage more people from ethnically diverse communities into golf.
Scotland enjoyed a successful amateur golf career, becoming the youngest person to qualify for The Open, before turning professional and competing on the DP World Tour. More recently, he has forged a successful media career covering golf as a commentator for Sky and the BBC, providing him with a unique perspective to share with BCOMS representatives at the AIG Women’s Open.
Scotland said: “I have said before that golf needs more diversity and challenged those running the game to step up and address the imbalance. The work I have been doing with The R&A is showing some positive steps forward and I believe this partnership with the Black Collective of Media in Sport and the AIG Women’s Open takes this path in a new direction.
“I am passionate about seeing greater diversity amongst golf participants, but seeing this extend to those who promote the sport through their work in the media is just as important. I look forward to sharing my media experience with these budding media professionals.”
The AIG Women’s Open takes place at Walton Heath, Surrey from 9-13 August 2023 and will feature the top-50 players in the Rolex Women’s World Rankings. Current world number one Lydia Ko of New Zealand, world number two Nelly Korda and fellow American Lexi Thompson, have already qualified for the Championship.