The R&A Women in Golf Charter

The R&A Women in Golf Charter

A commitment to a more inclusive culture within golf.

We at Leek Golf Club call on everyone involved in golf to play their part in developing a culture that values women’s involvement in every aspect of the sport, from participating to pursuing a career.

• Our aim is to increase the number of women and girls playing and working in golf.
• To achieve this goal and to enable women to flourish throughout golf, we recognise the need for a fundamental shift in culture. There is a clear ethical need for change and the potential economic benefits of growing the sport through more women and girls playing are substantial.
• The R&A commits to playing a leading role in this process and to working with affiliates, partners and the wider golf industry towards achieving this goal.
• In signing this Charter, we Leek Golf Club commit to making tangible efforts to develop a welcoming and inspiring environment for women. We will do more to attract women into golf, to remain, and to have rewarding careers.

The Charter:

• Is a statement of intent from the golf industry and Leek Golf Club, to unite and to focus gender balance at all levels.
• Commits us all to supporting measures to increase the number of women, girls and families playing golf.
• Calls for positive action to encourage women to pursue careers in all areas of the sport.
• Recognises the need for change that creates an inclusive environment within golf and our golf club.

Signatories commit to activate this Charter by:

• Developing and implementing an internal strategy for enhancing gender balance at every level.
• Establishing senior management responsibility and accountability for gender balance and inclusion, which is discussed and reviewed at committee/board level with Leek Golf Club.
• Strongly advocating more women and girls playing and working in golf.
• Working with key stakeholders to develop and embed a more inclusive culture.
• Promoting the Charter and our goal of encouraging more women and girls to play golf and work in golf.

How we at Leek Golf Club plan to achieve this:

1. Deliver two initiatives annually targeting women/girls and families that are aligned with key England Golf campaigns.
2. Promote a membership pathway, for women/girls and families to progress within the club.
3. To achieve and maintain 30% female representation on our Board of Directors by actively promoting these positions linked to appropriate role descriptors that are not gender specific.
4. Formally promote inclusion to the wider community via the club website, social media accounts and local community groups.
5. To meet England Golf’s terms of affiliation.
6. Appoint a designated Charter Champion within the club who can assist with the promotion and reporting of the charter.

Signed on Behalf of Leek Golf Club:

Club Chairman: K J Hollins                                                                                       

Date: 1^st January 2025

Charter Champion: A. Broadhurst                                                                             

Date: 1^st January 2025