GolfMark steps up a level with Sport England Clubmark alliance
The English Golf Union (EGU) and English Ladies’ Golf
Association (ELGA) are delighted to announce 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 5000 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 it’s 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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