Safeguarding
In line with the core principles of the International Golf Federation, every individual involved in the world of golf, whether they are players, coaches, officials, staff, or volunteers, has an unequivocal right to dignity, safety, and protection. The well-being of all members of the golf community, with particular attention to the well-being of children and vulnerable adults, is our top priority. Any instance of abuse or harassment within the golf community is not in harmony with the values of our sport, and it undermines the unique essence of golf.
In the domain of golf, regardless of one's level of ability, age, ancestral heritage, athletic potential, citizenship, colour, creed, economic status, ethnic origin, family status, gender expression, gender identity, language, marital status, place of origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation, every participant has an indisputable right to bask in the shelter of cultural safety, physical well-being, and psychological peace.
What is Safeguarding
Safeguarding in golf is implementing mechanisms to protect athletes and participants from potential harm, abuse, or misconduct, ensuring a secure and supportive environment for all involved.
The International Golf Federation places a paramount emphasis on ensuring the safety and well-being of participants in its events through a robust Safeguarding policy. This policy encompasses a comprehensive set of measures designed to protect athletes, officials, and all involved stakeholders from any form of harm, abuse, or misconduct, and clearly details the procedure for addressing incidents of harassment and abuse that occur during an IGF event. The IGF's commitment to safeguarding is further strengthened by its alignment with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Framework for Safeguarding Athletes and Other Participants from Harassment and Abuse in Sport, which sets out the framework to help safeguard Athletes and other Participants from Harassment and Abuse during the Olympic Games. By aligning with the IOC Framework, it underscores the IGF's dedication to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct and promoting a safe and inclusive sporting culture globally.
Report a concern
In the event that you cannot engage with someone immediately, please utilise our safeguarding email provided below to get in touch with the IGF Safeguarding officer at: Safeguarding@igfmail.org
Safeguarding in Sports E-Learning Platform
We are excited to announce a new collaboration between the International Golf Federation (IGF), The R&A, UNICEF (International Safeguards for Children in Sport), and the Open University to include golf in the Safeguarding in Sport e-learning platform.
At the core of every sport are the people involved, and their safety, well-being, and welfare are vital to the success and integrity of sports worldwide. Recognising this essential principle, the IGF, in partnership with the R&A, is proud to introduce "Safeguarding in Sport," a series of three comprehensive online courses designed for everyone in the sporting community.
These courses aim to enhance your understanding of safeguarding principles, their importance, and practical strategies for implementing safeguarding measures in golf. Safeguarding is a universal responsibility that applies to all individuals, regardless of their role in the sport.
Originally developed by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and adapted to suit a broader audience across various sports, these courses have been enhanced through collaboration and support from different International Federations and Sports Organisations.
Safeguarding in Sport E-learning Platform
We invite you to utilise this invaluable resource to strengthen safeguarding practices within golf. By prioritising the safety and welfare of participants, we collectively uphold the integrity and future of golf.
For information on how to register for the Safeguarding in Sport online training platform, please use the Safeguarding in Sports E-learning Platform Registration Guide.
Resources
National Federations should establish specific safeguarding policies that adhere to their national jurisdiction. To assist National Golf Federations in developing these policies, we have provided some external resources below.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has developed a toolkit to assist sports organisations in creating policies and procedures that protect athletes from harassment and abuse. In addition to the toolkit, the IOC has also developed supplementary resources to provide individuals with a better understanding of athlete safeguarding. These resources can be found on the IOC Athlete Learning Gateway and are designed to educate athletes, their entourage, and others on the sensitive topic of athlete safeguarding.
The International Platform on Sport and Development (sportanddev) is the leading global hub for those using sport to achieve social, economic and environmental objectives. It is widely recognised as the foremost global platform to “share knowledge, build good practices, facilitate and coordinate, and foster partnerships in sport and development.” They have developed the Child Protection and Safeguarding section as a gateway to child protection and safeguarding for everybody involved in the design and implementation of sport and development projects.
The Safeguarding in Sport E-learning Platform also features a Resource section, which includes templates and examples highlighted throughout the course materials. Additionally, links to further resources from the organisations that contributed to the development of these courses are provided.
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