By Golf Australia

The R&A’s Women in Golf Charter has been launched for clubs in Australia.

Golf Australia, the PGA of Australia and the WPGA Tour have all committed to the charter, which was first introduced in Australia in 2018 to develop and create a more inclusive culture for women and girls in golf, in an attempt to maximise their potential at all levels of our sport.

With the backing of the R&A, the Australian golf industry is striving to encourage their affiliated clubs to become signatories to the historic Women in Golf Charter.

Using Sport Australia’s Gameplan platform, Australian golf clubs and facilities can assess their status in gender equality across golf and use the assessment tool to drive the discussion on what they believe needs to change within their own club.

Golf Australia, Golf NSW and Golf WA will support clubs and facilities to develop action plans to inspire commitment to create and embed a more inclusive culture within their sport.

Australian golf clubs and facilities who complete Sport Australia’s Gameplan modules can access Golf Australia resources which can assist them in driving a cultural change within their community.

Clubs and facilities will have full support from Golf Australia through the ability to access other Female Engagement programs – such as the successful Visionary of the Year competition which rewards groups who foster women’s and girls’ participation, exposure of their commitment through Golf Australia social media platforms (alongside a full suite of digital marketing content that is accessible for golf clubs/facilities) and also via the R&A website.

Clubs and facilities that hold signatory status also have the chance to become one of Golf Australia’s video case studies that will be showcased in our global commitment to the R&A’s Women in Golf Charter.

Golf Australia has a range of resources to assist clubs in making their commitment to the R&A’s Women in Golf Charter. All are available on the Clubs and Facilities Support portal, and include the Game Plan tool, with a specific education module for women and girls in golf.

Golf Australia’s Interim Head of Female Engagement, Megan Carr, said any clubs or facilities interested in becoming a signatory to the charter should reach out through the designated email womeningolfcharter@golf.org.au.

“From there, we’ll arrange a brief meeting with your local Golf Australia Regional Development Officer or Clubs and Facilities Support Manager, and the female engagement team at GA,” Carr said. “This is all about working together to get more girls and women both playing, leading and working in golf.”

Carr described the charter as a highly significant piece of work for golf. “We’ll be reporting back to the R&A on how our clubs and facilities are making progress,” she said. “We’ll be celebrating people who take positive actions that foster gender equity in their golf environment and we’ll be supporting them on their journey. This is about supporting clubs and facilities on their journey to identify ways that they can increase the participation and leadership opportunities for women and girls in golf.’ ABOUT THE WOMEN IN GOLF CHARTER

The Women in Golf Charter intends to inspire an industry-wide commitment to developing a more inclusive culture within golf around the world and enable more women and girls to flourish and maximise their potential at all levels of the sport.

Adoption of the Charter requires national federations and other golf bodies to build on and develop initiatives which will focus on encouraging more women and girls to play golf and stay within the sport as members of clubs, while also empowering women to enjoy successful careers working within the golf industry.