R&A unveils Women in Golf Charter in bid to increase participation
Women in Golf Charter: R&A wants more women to play golf, and also work in the industry.
The R&A launched its new Women in Golf Charter today in London with the aim to increase participation and encourage more women to work in the industry.
The charter hopes to inspire an “industry-wide commitment to developing a more inclusive culture within golf around the world and to enable more women and girls to flourish and maximise their potential at all levels of the sport”.
National federations and bodies will be required to build on current initiatives and develop new projects to increase membership among women, while also empowering women to succeed in golfing careers.
Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said the organisation would be working with bodies and federations in order to achieve this.
Slumbers said: “We are asking the golf industry to recognise the real importance of increasing the number of women and girls playing golf and empowering more women to enjoy successful careers at all levels of the sport.
“The Charter is a strong statement of intent from the golf industry that it has to change and a commitment on behalf of all of us to take measures designed to achieve positive change for women, girls and families. This is crucial to growing participation in the sport in the years ahead.
“We ask our affiliates and partners around the world to pledge their support and commitment to achieving this vision and to help us ensure that we have a thriving sport in 50 years’ time that our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren can enjoy.
“The R&A plans to increase our overall investment in women’s, girls’ and mixed golf to £80 million over the next ten years, a clear indication of our determination to develop the game in this area.”
Strengthen the focus on gender balance and provide a united position for the golf industry
Commit national federations and organisations to support measures targeted at increasing participation of women, girls and families in golf
Call on signatories to take positive action to support the recruitment, retention and progression of women working at all levels of the sport
Set individual targets for national associations for participation and membership and annual reporting of progress
Develop an inclusive environment for women and girls within golf
