SUMMARY OF THE EDGA STRATEGIC PLAN

Transcription

1 SUMMARY OF THE EDGA STRATEGIC PLAN

2 BACKGROUND The European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) was formed in Wiesbaden in the year 2000 by organisations representing golfers with disability from seven countries. Today the association is made-up of member organisations from 17 countries, with 15 being golf s National Governing Bodies (NGB). The remaining two members are officially constituted organisations which represent golfers with disability in their respective countries. Although EDGA is focussed on the European dimension, organisations from around the World regularly reference to EDGA for direction, advice and more specifically the definitions of impairment, eligibility and tournament criteria. During 2014 EDGA operated a one year transition plan which allowed fundamental change to be made in the operating principles of the association. Over the period of transition EDGA has listened to golf s ruling authorities and has moved to align more closely with those customers which we wish to serve. Our customer groups can be identified as: National Governing Bodies. Golfers with disability. Individuals with impairment looking for a sport to engage with. Organisers of tournaments / trainings for golfers with disability.

3 This EDGA Strategic Plan provides guidance on the association s strategic direction, a framework for decision making and helps avoid the risks of strategic deviation. The plan provides a cohesive strategy divided into eight core purposes. Each core purpose has a short introduction and a number of key initiates supported by a series of aspirational and ambitious objectives. To achieve these objectives EDGA must engage with the membership and garner the goodwill of all who touch the association. After a very good 2014, expectations for EDGA have risen to new heights and we will strive to ensure that we move towards our objectives. 1 Disability is an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions, based on an impairment (a problem in body function or structure). 2 A genetic or acquired physical, intellectual or sensory impairment.

4 MISSION As a European organisation EDGA is uniquely positioned to support the development of initiatives which promote, the development of golf for individuals with impairment across Europe, positively influence public perception and offer meaningful and relevant advice to golf s ruling authorities. Our mission: We help individuals with impairment to start, stay, succeed and enjoy golf. We advise and guide organisations on tournaments, training and services to golfers with disability.

5 VISION EDGA will continue to transform from what is primarily a membership organisation to an association which assists all reputable organisations, who wish to develop, support or deliver initiatives focussed on helping broaden the golf opportunity for individuals with impairment. Our vision: To become the leading advisor on the provision of golf for the physically, intellectually and visually impaired.

6 VALUES EDGA is dedicated to providing golfers with disability the opportunity to integrate into the mainstream sport of golf. EDGA actively encourages all organisations which represent golfers with disability to work together with their respective NGB to popularise the sport of golf. We support initiatives which actively bring individuals together, recognise golfers for their playing ability and promote opportunities for integration. EDGA is an inclusive organisation open to individuals with physical, intellectual or sensory impairment, we promote the integration of all golfers and ground our decisions in the belief that individuals wish to be considered for their abilities rather than their impairment. EDGA will further develop and encourage initiatives, which raise the awareness of golf as a viable sporting option, by developing / supporting programmes targeted at providing individuals with impairment opportunities to experiment with golf.

7 CORE PURPOSES GROWING AWARENESS Since EDGA was formed we have actively worked to raise the awareness of golfers with disability. EDGA will continue to work with Federations, PGAs, rehabilitation centres and clubs, to offer individuals with impairment even more opportunities to experiment with golf and promote that the game is a viable sporting option for both participation and competitive activities. KEY INITIATIVES Enhance the website and social media offering. Develop / support programmes which promote golf as a viable sporting option. Attract more individuals with impairment to golf. Engage with the media to provide press related materials. Appoint ambassadors to champion golf for individuals with impairment.

8 INCREASING ACCESS AND INTEGRATION Working with the golf s ruling authorities, (as it relates to Europe), The R&A, The IGF and The EGA, along with national Federations and individual clubs, to inform stakeholders of the minimal requirements for full integration of golfers with disability into mainstream tournaments. EDGA has identified that golf for individuals with impairment is better represented by the NGB which is mandated by the government to organise the sport of golf in each country. From the 1st January 2014, EDGA has only accepted organisations that are the nationally recognised NGB for the sport of golf in that specific country. KEY INITIATIVES Encourage organisations which represent golfers with disability to work together. Encourage all National Governing Bodies for golf to embrace golfers with disability. Encourage The EGA and it s members to accept and represent golfers with disability. Encourage The IGF and it s members to accept and represent golfers with disability.

9 THE COMPETITIVE PATHWAY EDGA has worked to align itself with the golf s ruling authorities. This process started with the adoption of the golf handicap categories as promoted by The EGA. These four golf handicap categories now form the basis for entry into The EDGA series of approved tournaments. Premier series tournaments are open to players from categories 1-4, Challenge series tournaments are open to players from categories 1-5. Access series tournaments are open to players from categories 1-5 along with an additional category 6 to include golfers with handicaps that reach 54. KEY INITIATIVES Be well placed to prepare or support an application during 2017 for The Paralympic Games Ensure the work of The EDGA Paralympic Taskforce is maintained. Raise the standards in each series of The EDGA approved tournaments. Recruit a Tournament Director who can guide the associations tournament series. Develop a unified World Disabled Golf Ranking. Encourage the development of a meaningful quadrennial tournament calendar.

10 EDUCATION AND TRAINING With the greater integration of players from all human impairment categories and a change in the rules of membership, EDGA has positioned itself to deliver educational opportunities to our member countries, tournament organisers, clubs and new / existing players. KEY INITIATIVES Actively promote the distribution of The EDGA Manual (training for teaching individuals with physical impairment). Promote and deliver classifier training. Promote golf awareness days throughout the membership. Write and promote awareness programmes for use in rehabilitation centres. Encourage the PGAs of member countries to deliver professional training to it s members. Promote and deliver tournament director training.

11 KNOWLEDGE HUB As an association which has been operating in the sector since the year 2000, EDGA has acquired a great deal of practical knowledge. The combined knowledge of years operating in the domain has resulted in a set of operating procedures from which we are able to build a strong set of standards to respect the needs of players and organisations, be that at club, national or international level. EDGA is committed to becoming a knowledge and resource centre, to support the development of the game for individuals with impairment and to promote golf as a viable sporting option for all. KEY INITIATIVES Collate the accumulated knowledge on the sector and will prepare a virtual knowledge bank from which member countries will be able to draw from or deposit information.

12 THE BRAND EDGA has updated many of its operating principles, including event organisation and positioned itself as a supplier of support for all matters relating to golf for individuals with impairment. In 2014 EDGA unveiled an new logo to ensure that the new EDGA vision and mission was well represented. KEY INITIATIVES Position the brand as, the go to organisation for all matters relating to golf for individuals with impairment. Position the association, it s members and players, to create a positive perception in the wider golfing World. Further enhance it s social media offering. Engage with a brand manager to deliver on its objectives. Appoint ambassadors to champion golf for individuals with impairment. Proactively court positive media interest. Leverage it s assets for the benefit of individuals with impairment.

13 FUNDING EDGA has identified that there are three forms of funding which may flow towards the organisation in order for it to deliver on its objectives. The first is institutional funding, for which we are very grateful from organisations such as The R&A, The European Tour and other organisations who see the benefits for golf of supporting the work of EDGA. The second is that of charitable donations, which commonly come from well meaning donors or in the form of specific projects such as Golf & Ride Portugal The third and until now untapped form of funding is that of commercial sponsorship. KEY INITIATIVES Develop a project based approach to attract funding. Develop fund-raising activities / programmes. Work closely with our partners to develop further income streams.

14 RESOURCES As a non-profit organisation, EDGA relies heavily on the work of volunteers. During 2014 EDGA strengthened the Executive Committee and Sports Committee, whilst streamlining the Medical Committee, so that each is better able to deliver on the key issues which it is tasked. During the coming period EDGA will look to further develop the human resources available and where necessary bring in new people with expert knowledge. Technological resources for the production of media will be looked at and strengthened as necessary. KEY INITIATIVES Differentiate between the resources available and the capabilities which we have. Develop, train and support volunteers. Introduce new members to the Committees with specific skills and knowledge. Strengthen the human resource available to EDGA.

15 EDGA STRATEGIC PLAN This EDGA Strategic Plan was prepared and approved by the European Golf Association s Executive Committee in January President: Tony Bennett. EC Member: Pieter Van Duijn. EC Member: Hans Arendzen. EC Member: Manon Eggermont. EC Member: Miguel Franco Sousa.

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