The English Golf Union and English Ladies’ Golf Association have announced an exciting new development to their GolfMark initiative, which identifies junior and beginner friendly golf clubs in England.
From February 2006 the GolfMark award will also integrate Sport England’s generic Clubmark award – a national standard for quality sports clubs recognised across the country. More than twenty other sports, including football, tennis and rugby are also using the alliance to add value to their accreditation schemes and over 5,000 sports clubs have been awarded Clubmark or are working towards achieving accreditation.
There are a number of benefits that golf clubs can gain by achieving both Sport England’s Clubmark and GolfMark accreditation including increased membership, raising the club’s profile, further development of coaches and volunteers and greater access to funding.
Sport England’s interim chief executive Stephen Baddeley commented, “We are delighted that golf continues to develop as a sport and is seeking to raise the already high standards of its clubs across the country. Clubmark will give added value to the successful GolfMark award.”
The EGU and ELGA have incorporated the new Clubmark criteria into the existing GolfMark programme so avoiding the need for any duplication of effort by golf clubs.
Golf Clubs that have already achieved the Junior GolfMark award will retain their existing accreditation but can also apply to be assessed on the enhanced criteria straight away. Clubs who have not yet gained GolfMark status will be encouraged to apply and will be supported by a regional development officer throughout their application process.
Richard Flint EGU Development Manager added, “Our relationship with Sport England’s Clubmark award is an exciting development to the existing GolfMark accreditation and we look forward to continuing to support affiliated golf clubs to obtain this important recognition which will develop and improve club structures in England.”
Full information on how to apply for GolfMark accreditation is available from the GolfMark website at www.golfmark.org clubs can contact the EGU/ELGA Development Team. A resource pack providing details of Sport England’s Clubmark award can be found on the Sport England website at www.sportengland.org/clubmark
The GolfMark award is an initiative jointly provided by the EGU and ELGA via the England Golf Partnership’s ‘Whole Sport Plan’ for golf.
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