England Golf signs historic declaration

England Golf has made history in becoming the first UK golf body to sign a major woman in sport declaration.

Affiliated with the R&A, the governing body has signed the Brighton plus Helsinki declaration.

Developed by the International Working Group (IWG) on Women and Sport after being established in 1994, it signifies a commitment to the equity for women and girls in sport and physical activity.

England Golf CEO Jeremy Tomlinson said: “This is a truly momentous occasion.

“Having launched our Respect in Golf movement last year, we reaffirm our focus on encouraging the participation of everyone and anyone in golf.

“Our passion and dedication to promoting golf as an all-inclusive sport is unwavering, as is supporting women and girls’ participation in every way possible.

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“To become a signatory to the declaration is declaring our England Golf belief and commitment to inspire a culture that enables and values the full involvement of women in every aspect of sport and physical activity.”

The declaration has become a road map to support ongoing development of a fairer and more equitable system of sport and physical activity, fully inclusive of women and girls.

Those that endorse the declaration commit to upholding the ten principles that enable women and girls to freely and safely participate, compete and build careers in sport and physical activity.

England Golf, which represents over 1,900 golf clubs with over 740,000 members, are now among over 600 organisations around the globe to have signed the international treaty.

In charge of the country’s male and female amateur golf, England Golf signed the declaration at The Midland Manchester Hotel last week.

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Secretary General of the IWG, Lisa O’Keefe, said: “It was brilliant to have England Golf sign the Brighton plus Helsinki Declaration, cementing their commitment to supporting women and girls participating in golf.

“Their ‘Respect in Golf’ framework aims to make golf more inclusive in England by creating cultural change with a focus on making women and girls feel welcomed and included.

“Their framework aligns with the principles of our internationally recognised Declaration, and they join the likes of the RFU, the LTA and the Montenegrin Olympic Committee as recent signatories of this treaty.

“We are looking forward to working with England Golf to further highlight their push towards gender equality, with the intention to inspire other governing bodies looking to make similar changes within their sport.”