England Golf and Sport England Work Together to Tackle Inequalities

England Golf is to receive funding from Sport England over the next five years to tackle inequalities in the game.

The £7.9m delivered by government and National Lottery funding has been made available to England Golf for its pledged committed to co-deliver change at a national and local level, to help more people enjoy the benefits of playing sport and being active.

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.

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.”

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.

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.”

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.